Sponsor
Donate

2017 Inductees

Clarence Way 2017 Legacy

1945-1992 Clarence was a solo pianist/organist noted for playing old-time tunes in popular clubs along Old Falls Street in the 70’s. He was also a piano and organ teacher for many years in Niagara Falls. He is remembered fondly as being a great man and musician.
Read More

Chuck Tormino 2017 Legacy

1945-1992 Charles “Chuck” Toarmino, was a professional singer, drummer and band leader. He was a widely known entertainer in Niagara and Erie counties in the 1960s, '70s and '80s. A native of Niagara Falls, Toarmino had his own band, Chuck and The Counts playing with...
Read More

Tommy Tedesco 2017 Legacy

1930-1997 Thomas J. Tedesco, a native of Niagara Falls New York moved to the West Coast in the 1960’s to become one of the most sought after studio musicians in Hollywood of all time. A master guitar player and a member of the famous Wrecking Crew, he played over 20...
Read More

Tony Surace 2017 Legacy

Tony Surace was a renowned and talented professional piano player in the city of Niagara Falls for many years. He performed with many fellow accomplished artists in local clubs and across the country. He played with the popular Scinta Brothers from Buffalo New York....
Read More

Harold Schatz 2017 Legacy

1915-2017 Harold Schatz who lived to the age of 98 in Los Angeles California, was an accomplished violinist from Western New York. He taught music for many years in Niagara Falls schools orchestrating many concerts and musicals throughout his tenure. He was the...
Read More

Eli Saks 2017 Legacy

1910-1997 Eli Saks was a master percussionist, friend of comedian Red Skelton and operator of a Niagara Falls liquor store for 35 years. A native of Niagara Falls, Saks owned and operated Saks Liquor Store at Hyde Park Boulevard and Lockport Road until he retired in...
Read More

Angelo Pilato 2017 Legacy

1955-2006 Angelo Pilato, a native of Niagara Falls played guitar and sang in many popular bands coming out of Niagara Falls to include Zola, Bedrock, Aurora, Chassin, The USA Band and The Perry Novak Band. He played and recorded with fellow band mates Perry Novak,...
Read More

Sal Paonessa 2017 Legacy

1914-2003 The sound of music was always an important part of Sal’s life. His father taught him how to play the trumpet at the age of four. When he was five years old, his first job was playing at a funeral where he walked and played in a customary funeral band. In...
Read More

Hal Palumbo 2017 Legacy

1919-1995 Hal Palumbo played guitar and drums and was the band leader of the Hal Palumbo Orchestra from the 1940’s to the 1970’s. He played with various musical groups throughout the city up until 1983, performing at the Red Coach Inn, Buena Vista, The Alps and the...
Read More

Chuck “Chu” Nero 2017 Legacy

1948-2009 Chu Nero was a remarkable saxophone player who dedicated his life to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through his music, affecting the lives of all everyone he met. He shared the stage with some of Western New York’s music greats of every genre. He had...
Read More

John T. Morell 2017 Legacy

1904-1992 John is legendary for his work, talents and contributions to the local music scene. A native of Niagara Falls, John was widely known as "Mr. Music." For over 70 years, he was a talented and respected musician, songwriter, music teacher and music store owner....
Read More

George “Big Man” McCray 2017 Legacy

1944-2016 Wenford George “Big Man” McCray relocated with his family from Pigeon Creek, Alabama at the age of six months old. As a teenager, he excelled in music, academics and sports. He attended Trott Vocational High School and acquired his skill trade as a...
Read More

Joe Mangione 2017 Legacy

1926-2016 Joe was an extremely talented musician and conductor of the Joseph Mangione Big Band Orchestra in Niagara Falls for many years. Known as Joe Mann, a stage name he often used, he was a gifted trumpet player. He specialized in big band swing music and was a...
Read More

Joe Leo 2017 Legacy

1922-2016 Joseph Leo was a lifetime resident of Niagara Falls, New York. A child prodigy in music, Joe had ‘perfect pitch’, a gift from God. Joe's music career span over 75 years beginning as a charter member of the Center Avenue School's first band in 1931. During...
Read More

Emilio Giandomenico 2017 Legacy

1939-2006 Emilio Giandomenico was a guitarist with a lifelong musical career. Born in Secinaro L'Aquila Abruzzi, Italy, he moved with his family to Niagara Falls in 1947. He was a graduate of Niagara Falls High School, where he embarked on his lifelong musical career....
Read More

Ed Ghougasian 2017 Legacy

1933-1993 Ed Ghougasian was instrumental in promoting live music in the city of Niagara Falls, New York in the 60’s and 70’s. With his wife Mary Ann, Ed owned and operated The Club restaurant that was noted for having the longest bar in the state. Hiring bands from...
Read More

Rick Fiori 2017 Legacy

1949-2015 Anthony Richard (Rick) Fiori, was born and raised in Niagara Falls, New York. From an early age he showed exceptional musical ability and began performing in local nightclubs at the age of 15. Rick became a professional musician, entertaining audiences...
Read More

Don Duffy 2017 Legacy

1934-2005 Donald Duffy a renowned and respected drummer in Niagara Falls New York, started playing drums in the 11th grade and performed every Friday night at the YWCA dances. During the day, he worked as a salesman for Metropolitan Insurance and at night performed as...
Read More

William “Willie” Favero 2017

WILLIAM “WILLIE” FAVERO Willie loved music even as a small child, so his parents started him on guitar lessons at an early age. Playing an instrument came easy to him and thanks to his parents’ continual support, you could easily say Willie became a successful...
Read More

John Davies 2017 Legacy

JOHN DAVIES was an exceptional trombone player in Niagara Falls who had a style that was developed through dedicated work with area concert, philharmonic, jazz and rock groups. John played the trombone, sang back-up vocals and was the business manager for the 1970’s...
Read More

Jerry D’Amico 2017 Legacy

1934-2008 Jerry D’Amico was and always will be recognized as legendary and synonymous with Niagara Falls music. He owned and operated D’Amico Music, a local landmark on Pine Avenue for over 35 years. In addition to music supplies, his store was a haven for ticket...
Read More

Ray Corsaro 2017 Legacy

1942-2011 Raymond Corsaro, a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls was a longtime advocate for live music in the city. He was a member of the Musicians Local #106 for many years and also served as a president. Proficient with the alto, tenor and baritone saxophones,...
Read More

Sam Cassano 2017 Legacy

1928-2005 Sam started taking drum lessons at age 14 from Lou Morelle and played his first professional gig at the age 15. For more than 50 years, he was a mainstay at local weddings and social events in the Niagara Falls area. He played everything from big band to...
Read More

Joe Campese 2017 Legacy

1945-2009 Joe Campese, a native of Niagara Falls had many talents but known well for his guitar mastery. At the age of 13, he bought his first guitar, a thick hollowbodied Kay guitar at Reuben's Pawn Shop. He taught himself how to play, practicing until his fingers...
Read More

John Barbera 2017 Legacy

1926-2011 John or “Johnny” as many knew him loved playing his sax; it was his life! He started playing by ear at the age of nine, then started lessons and soon began playing publically at the age of twelve up until he retired at the age of 82. At the age of 16, he...
Read More

Bruce Wojick 2017

Bruce Wojick from Niagara Falls New York is regarded as one of the most talented and respected guitarists and songwriters in the Western New York area. This veteran musician has been a mainstay on the music scene for nearly three decades, performing as a key component...
Read More

Bobby Jones 2017

Bobby Jones was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York. He entered "show biz" at the early age of 12, touring with the legendary Sammy Davis Jr. Bobby went on to perform and record with some of the greats in the jazz and entertainment worlds including Paul Anka,...
Read More

Jamie Holka 2017

Jamie Holka, a native of Niagara Falls New York, at the age of 14, picked up a guitar and has not stopped playing since. In 1986, with his first band Stormbringer, he literally took storm competing in the Niagara Wheatfield Battle of the Bands, and then was regularly...
Read More

Frank Grizanti 2017

Frank Grizanti is one of western New York's most respected guitarists. He is a 2007 Inductee to the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. He has worked with many great acts from WNY such as the BBC Band, The Frank Grizanti Band, Geno McManus, Stone Flower, Patti Park Band,...
Read More

Tom Gariano 2017

Tom began his music career at the age of 12 years old playing in a three-piece band with kids from the LaSalle neighborhood he grew up in. He performed his first public singing performance on the last day of school assembly in 1971 at Prince of Peace School singing...
Read More