Pat Rizzo

Pat Rizzo
Pat Rizzo
Born	November 30, 1941
Origin	United States
Died	April 15, 2021 (aged 79)
Genres	soul, funk, rock
Occupation(s)	Saxophonist, flautist
Instruments	Alto saxophone, tenor saxophone, flute
Years active	1960s–2021

Pat Rizzo (November 30, 1941 – April 15, 2021) was an American saxophonist and flautist, best known for his work with funk band Sly and the Family Stone.

Career[edit]

Rizzo started performing in the sixties with The Cuff Links. He is best known for his work as saxophonist and flautist with funk band Sly and the Family Stone.^[1] He was intended as a replacement for founding member Jerry Martini, who got into trouble with Sly Stone and his accountants for inquiring about money rightfully due to him, but both Martini and Rizzo remained in the band and became good friends. He later replaced Charles Miller in War. During this period he also performed with Tito Puente and Frank Sinatra.

Rizzo appeared on Ry Cooder's 1976 album Chicken Skin Music,^[2] 1977 live album Show Time and his 1978 album Jazz ^[3] and he accompanied Cooder on his 1977 tour of Europe.^[4]

Compositions[edit]

Rizzo is credited as composer of the Sly and the Family Stone song, "Ha Ha Hee Hee". During the recording sessions for the band's Small Talk album, Rizzo co-wrote the song with Jerry Martini.^[5]

Personal life[edit]

Rizzo was married to Kelli J Ball (Mickeliunas), an international fashion model. The couple divorced.^{[citation needed]} He died in April 2021 at the age of 79.^[6]

References[edit]

^ Santiago, Eddie (2008-02-17). Sly: The Lives of Sylvester Stewart and Sly Stone. Eddie Santiago. pp. 177–. ISBN 978-1-4357-0987-4. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
^ "Ry Cooder - Chicken Skin Music". Discogs. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
^ "Ry Cooder - Jazz". Discogs. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
^ Marsch, Michael. "Rockpalast Archiv - Ry Cooder 1977". www.rockpalastarchiv.de. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
^ Sly: The Lives of Sylvester Stewart and Sly Stone By Eddie Santiago Page 177
^ Brenner, Eric (2021-04-16). "Breaking News: Sly and The Family Stone's Pat Rizzo Dead at 79". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16.

External links[edit]

Pat Rizzo Interview at NAMM Oral History Collection (2016)

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[Santiago2008-1] Santiago, Eddie (2008-02-17). Sly: The Lives of Sylvester Stewart and Sly Stone. Eddie Santiago. pp. 177–. ISBN 978-1-4357-0987-4. Retrieved 26 July 2011.

[2] "Ry Cooder - Chicken Skin Music". Discogs. Retrieved 16 September 2017.

[3] "Ry Cooder - Jazz". Discogs. Retrieved 16 September 2017.

[4] Marsch, Michael. "Rockpalast Archiv - Ry Cooder 1977". www.rockpalastarchiv.de. Retrieved 16 September 2017.

[5] Sly: The Lives of Sylvester Stewart and Sly Stone By Eddie Santiago Page 177

[6] Brenner, Eric (2021-04-16). "Breaking News: Sly and The Family Stone's Pat Rizzo Dead at 79". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-04-16.

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v t e Sly and the Family Stone
Sly Stone Freddie Stone Rose Stone Cynthia Robinson Greg Errico Jerry Martini Larry Graham Vet Stone Rustee Allen Pat Rizzo Andy Newmark Bill Lordan
Studio albums	A Whole New Thing (1967) Dance to the Music (1968) Life (1968) Stand! (1969) There's a Riot Goin' On (1971) Fresh (1973) Small Talk (1974) Heard Ya Missed Me, Well I'm Back (1976) Back on the Right Track (1979) Ain't But the One Way (1982)
Live albums	The Woodstock Experience (2009) Live at the Fillmore East October 4th & 5th, 1968 (2015)
Compilations	Greatest Hits (1970) Different Strokes by Different Folks (2005)
Singles	"Dance to the Music" "Everyday People" "Sing a Simple Song" "Stand!" "I Want to Take You Higher" "Hot Fun in the Summertime" "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" "Everybody Is a Star" "Family Affair" "Runnin' Away" "If You Want Me to Stay"
Related articles	Discography Sly Stone solo discography Little Sister Coming Back for More On the Sly: In Search of the Family Stone Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) (book)
Category

v t e War
Lonnie Jordan Marcos Reyes Howard E. Scott Harold Ray Brown Lee Oskar Morris "B.B." Dickerson Charles Miller Eric Burdon Pat Rizzo J. B. Eckl
Studio albums	Eric Burdon Declares "War" (1970) The Black-Man's Burdon (1970) War (1971) All Day Music (1971) The World Is a Ghetto (1972) Deliver the Word (1973) Why Can't We Be Friends? (1975) Love Is All Around (1976) Platinum Jazz (1976) Galaxy (1977) Youngblood (1978) The Music Band (1979) The Music Band 2 (1979) Outlaw (1982) The Music Band – Jazz (1983) Life (Is So Strange) (1983) ☮ (Peace Sign) (1994)
Live albums	War Live (1973) Greatest Hits Live (2008)
Compilation albums	The Very Best of War (2003)
Songs	"Spill the Wine" "They Can't Take Away Our Music" "Slippin' into Darkness" "The World Is a Ghetto" "The Cisco Kid" "Gypsy Man" "Me and Baby Brother" "Why Can't We Be Friends?" "Low Rider" "Summer"
Related artists	Discography Lowrider Band