Saturday, July 13, 2013

Peppi Marchello in Photos

Have a good Peppi pic? A rare recording or video? Please share. I miss my pal.












Thursday, July 11, 2013

Peppi Marchello Memorial Services

Peppi's funeral services will be at St. James Funeral Home South Chapel, 829 Middle Country Rd. /Rte. 25/ Jericho Turnpike, St. James., NY, Saturday 7/13 and Sunday 7/14 from 2-4 and 7-9. 
Mass will be held Monday 7/15 at 11 am at Saints Philip and James Church.
All family, friends and fans are encouraged to attend.

LONG ISLAND ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAMER PEPPI MARCHELLO PASSES

written at the behest of the family:

LONG ISLAND ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAMER PEPPI MARCHELLO PASSES

Peppi Marchello, founder and front man of the Long Island-based rock band The Good Rats, died last night at approximately 9:00 pm of an apparent cardiac arrest. Marchello was 68.

Marchello formed the Good Rats with brother Mickey in 1964. The band released its debut LP five years later on Warner Bros. In 1974, they released their best-known and most popular album Tasty.

The Good Rats reached their zenith in the late 1970’s, building a cult-like following that stretched from Long Island’s thriving club scene to hotspots across the Tri-State area, performing at such venues such as Madison Square Garden, The Nassau Coliseum and England’s Hammersmith Odeon. Rock critics regarded the Rats as one of the top live shows, where Peppi played air guitar on a Louisville slugger, threw rubber rats at the audience and doused fans with beer.

By the mid-1990s, Marchello’s son Gene had replaced both guitarists and three new studio CDs were released with this lineup: Tasty Seconds (1996), Let's Have Another Beer (2000) and Play Dum (2002). Fans considered the new music some of Peppi’s best writing. The Good Rats were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2008 and were referred to by Rolling Stone Magazine as “the world’s greatest unknown rock band.”

“Peppi’s life was about his family and his music,” said Clifford Meth, Marchello publicist and family friend. “His love for songwriting and performing never diminished and he continued playing as many as 100 times each year until the very end. He was adored by his legion of fans who regarded Peppi himself as an event they wanted to be part of. He will be dearly missed.”

“The phone doesn’t stop ringing—fans and musicians from all over the world calling to say that my dad was their biggest influence and inspiration,” said daughter Kristin.

Information regarding services will be announced soon.

Press Contact: cliffmeth@aol.com

Peppi Marchello: RIP my dear friend

I am deeply saddened to report that Peppi Marchello died last night from an apparent heart attack. Peppi--the founder and frontman of the Good Rats--was a brilliant songwriter and deeply devoted family man.   I am shocked by this news, which I just received from Peppi's daughter in law, and can't say more at this time beyond this is a great loss to many of us. RIP my dear, dear friend.

11:30 a.m. update:
The Marchello family asked me to release this statement.