TALAS singer Phil Naro died after a battle with tongue cancer. He was 63 years old.
The news of NaroHer family’s death was shattered earlier today. They said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our son, father, friend and musician. Phillip Sampognaro, known professionally as Phil Naro.
“Phil fought a valiant battle with cancer over the past few years, but left this earth last night surrounded by his closest family and friends. A citizen of the United States and Canada, he died at his home in Rochester. Funeral arrangements and tributes will be announced shortly. He is survived by sons James and John; brother Joseph; and his mother, Maria, which he liked very much.
“Phil was one of those few people known as the “singer-songwriter”. A staple of the Canadian and American music scene, Phil had become a mainstay in venues ranging from clubs to large performing arts centers and massive arenas. He had just finished the group’s debut album LIPS TURN BLUE (Previously D DRIVE) who had secured a worldwide recording contract and reunion album with Billy Sheehan and TALAS, of which he was a member in the 1980s. Phil had managed to balance a highly demanded solo career with a number of high profile projects with other superstar musicians from bands such as THE RASCALS, VANILLA FUDGE, WHITE SNAKE, YES, ASIAand guitarist Ron Thal (ex-GUNS N ‘ROSES) as a member of ALL STAR PLATINUM ROCK. Phil was capable of an extraordinary number of styles of music, all built around his unmistakably powerful voice. Fortunately, Phil has left us with an extraordinary amount of recorded music, which will allow his artistic legacy to endure forever. “
In October, Naro revealed to iHeartRadio.ca that her cancer returned in the fall of 2019, six years after having a tumor removed from her neck.
Last year, Naro found the bassist Billy Sheehan to register a new TALAS album, which is tentatively due before the end of 2021. “I managed to finish recording before starting my treatments,” Phil Told iHeartRadio.ca . “It was sometimes painful to sing, but I managed to finish.”
A GoFundMe campaign was also launched “to help reduce some of this burden of Phil during this incredibly arduous journey. »Over $ 25,000 was raised before the fundraiser stopped accepting donations.
“I’m not going to fall,” Naro Told iHeartRadio.ca in October. “I will fight this cancer to the end.”
After the facade TALAS In the 1980’s, Naro has combined his powerful voice on a number of recording projects with TO KISS Founding Member Peter Criss and later with Canadian rockers CONEY HATCH. Phil has also co-wrote and recorded several pieces with the guitarist and founding member of THE RASCALS, Gene Cornish, and co-wrote three songs for a Canadian artist Lee Aaron for his 1989 album “Bodyrock”.
TALASThe new album will be released via Metal Blade Discs.
Kings of the Buffalo, circuit des bars de New York, TALAS he struggled through the 1970s and 1980s, hoping for the breakthrough that never really happened. When David Lee Roth left VAN HALEN, Sheehan joined immediately Roththe group, effectively ending TALAS.
Earlier today, Sheehan took to social media to pay tribute to Naro, writing: “Phil Naro. One of the best human beings I have ever known. I am deeply saddened to announce his passing. He fought a valiant battle until the end and inspired everyone who knew him to stay positive and carry on against all odds.
“A dear friend, spectacular singer and performer, songwriter and lead singer in ‘version 2’ TALAS – actually version 7 or 8 – while we were finishing a new record together, we discovered the situation. Phil fought like a champ and brilliantly performed and completed vocals for the album, despite knowing he was in serious health condition.
“In the name of myself and of all those who had the good fortune to know him, I wish him peace for all eternity and thank him for sharing his life, his love, his friendship and his talent with the world.
“God bless you, Phil. Rest in peace, dear friend. We’ll see each other again. My deepest condolences to his wonderful family, to his dear mother and to his two sons. “
Photo courtesy of Phil Narothe Facebook page of
Posted by Billy Sheehan on Monday, May 3, 2021
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