ROCKY SULLIVAN



Rocky

Rocky and John


With John Cipollina:
Official ReleasesLive, etc
Automatt, March 4, 1978
Black Dragon Studios, March 12, 1978
Knight's Bridge, March 24, 1978
Old Waldorf, March 30, 1978
Automatt, April 4 - May 3, 1978
Old Waldorf, San Francisco, CA, April 16, 1978
Black Dragon Studios (John, Rocky, J. Washington, S. Lind, G. Anton), June 15, 1978
Rio Theater, June 30, 1978
Automatt, July 14, 1978
Automatt Studio (John, Rocky, Jeff Cohen, Scott Matthews, Sweetooth), July 19, 1978
Joseph's Court rehearsal, July 28, 1978
Automatt, August 18, 1978
Black Dragon Studios, August 21, 1978
Keystone, Berkeley, CA, August 26, 1978
Automatt, August 28, 1978
The Palms, September 2, 1978
Keystone, Berkeley, CA, September 16, 1978
Automatt (same as 9/16 except Scott Matthews on drums), September 26, 1978
Automatt Demo, October 2, 1978
Rio Theatre, October 14, 1978
Illegal Entry
"Illegal Entry" Outtakes, ?
Rehearsal, March 26, 1979 (poor quality)
Demo, Music Annexe, July 79
Bring Back The Night/?
Shake Your Shake/Love Me Just A Little
Internal Affairs
Palms, San Francisco, July 2, 1978 + Santa Cruz, February 2, 1979
Catalyst, St. Cruz, CA, July 21, 1979
Automatt Recorders, San Francisco, CA, August 28, 1979
Club Front Demos, September 6, 1979
 
Without John Cipollina:
Caught in the Crossfire


Links:

Rocky Sullivan page at Bay Area Bands



Old Waldorf, San Francisco, CA, April 16, 1978



Tracks
1.-2:14
2.I'm So Pissed Off3:36
3.Whatcha' Get3:07
4.Roxy6:33
5.Leave It At That2:47
6.Fever Dream5:57
7.Who's Kiddin' Who5:57
8.Out Of Control (?)3:32
9.Jacknife Lover3:56
10.Goin' Down The Juke2:21
Total40:03


unknown analog audience recording

Personnel
Rocky SullivanVocals
John CipollinaGuitars
Greg DouglassGuitars
Mario CipollinaBass
Marc NielsenDrums


from http://www.bay-area-bands.com
San Francisco rock singer/songwriter - who should have done way better. Catchy tunes with a rockin' feeling - that might describe his music. The voice reminding of Bruce Springsteen at times. All that talent must have been the reason why many famous Bay Area artists joined Rocky Sullivan on his albums.
Rocky Sullivan was born as Anthony Galante in New York in 1948 and that's also the place where he joined his first bands. He started with the doo wop group 'The Visuals' and then went on to play with 'The Braid'. Further information regarding these bands can be found in an interview with Rocky (link underneath) and the discography. When Rocky came to San Francisco he had not only changed his name but also started his solo career and recorded several albums.
"Illegal Entry" (1980), a nice enough album which includes the tasty "Everybodies Got A Price", features among others, Nicky Hopkins, Greg Douglass, John Cipollina and Mario Cipollina. The songs on this album were recorded even before Rocky had a record deal during several sessions in 1978 (March, July and October) at the Automat, San Francisco. Except two songs, which were written by John Cipollina, Rocky wrote all songs himself.
"Back Up Girl" and "Roxy" had already been released before on San Fransico's Jupiter Records compilation City Lights in 1979. Which also featured the first appearance by Tommy Tutone.
In 1982 Rocky released his second album "Internal Affairs" - once again with Mario and John Cipollina plus ex-Clover drummer Micky Shine. Compared to his first record Rocky's second album is full of songs with hit approach. Possibly the best songs he ever recorded. Unfortunately the album didn't get the reception it deserved. All songs on this album were written by Rocky.
On his 1986 album "Caught In The Crossfire", which was produced by Barry Flast, Rocky Sullivan used a differen't band including his wife Ilona who provided backing vocals. The album was released on the German label Line Records and all songs were composed by Rocky himself.
Although Rocky's musical talent led to believe that he might become somewhat more famous this never happened. This can also be attributed to an auto-immune disease which kept Rocky from making music for a long time.
Around 2002 Rocky, who had been writing novels once he stopped making music at the end of the 80s, started to write songs again and sang a few songs at the 13th John Cipollina Memorial, May 29, 2002.
Rocky Sullivan passed away at the age of 59 on November 25, 2007. He will be missed by fans, friends and family.



Keystone, Berkeley, CA, September 16, 1978

Received on CD-R, April 2022.



Tracks
1.band intro > Bigelow 6-9000 > chat4:17
2.Backup Girl3:16
3.Jackknife Lover > tuning4:07
4.Roxy > faint chat6:45
5.Fever Dreams > faint chat5:50
6.Blue Suede Shoes > chat, tuning5:32
7.Pissed Off > tuning4:11
8.Whatcha Get? > chat, tuning3:45
9.Who's Kidding Who? > chat, tuning6:11
10.Everybody's Got a Price > chat, tuning, band intro7:52
11.Going Down the Tubes > "Thank you, goodnight"3:25
Total55:16


Sony tape deck with condenser microphones onstage next to the monitors > Cassette > CDR > CDR
April 2022: CDR > EAC > Wavs > FFE > FLAC(8)


Notes:
- "The 'All Star' line-up of the Rocky Sullivan Band"
- "I think the Rocky show was intended to be a showcase gig with many industry types invited to check the band out. It didn't work for Rocky, but they liked the opening band, Tommy Tutone."
- Rocky's vocals are a bit low in the mix
- Channel/volume fluctuations during track 1, 4
- Slight hiss throughout, noticeable in quiet passages


Personnel
Rocky SullivanVocals
John CipollinaGuitars, Vocals
Greg DouglassGuitars
Nicky HopkinsPiano
Mario CipollinaBass
Joey CovingtonDrums



Demo, Music Annexe, July 1979



Tracks
1.Shake Your Shake
2.Love Me Just A Little


Personnel
Rocky SullivanVocals
John CipollinaGuitar
Greg DouglassGuitar
Mario CipollinaBass
Scott MatthewsDrums



Illegal Entry



Tracks
1.Everybody's Got A Price4:56
2.Leave It At That1:54
3.Jacknife Lover3:52
4.Who's Kiddin' Who4:16
5.Watcha Get2:56
6.You3:41
7.Bring Back the Night3:25
8.Back Up Girl
9.Bigelow 6-5000(John Cipollina, Jim McPherson)
10.Roxy
11.Fever Dreams(John Cipollina)
Total41:20


All songs written by Rocky Sullivan, except where noted.


Recorded March (tracks 1-5), July (6-7) and October (8-11) 1978 at the Automat, San Francisco.


Personnel
Rocky SullivanVocalsAll
John CipollinaGuitarAll
Mike VarneyGuitar1 - 5
Steve LindBass1 - 5
Greg AntonDrums1 - 5
Scott MathewsDrums6 - 11
Mac CridlinBass6 - 7
Mark CummingsSynthesizer6 - 7
Carole SteelePercussion6 - 7
Mark ShaimanPiano6 - 7
Jeffrey CohenAcoustic Guitar6 - 7
Janet MorrisonBacking Vocals6 - 7
Jeanette SartainBacking Vocals6 - 7
Pam MooreBacking Vocals6 - 7
Greg DouglassGuitar8 - 11
Nicky HopkinsPiano8 - 11
Mario CipollinaBass8 - 11


1980
Release History
LabelCat NoCountryFormatDateNotes
Jupiter/Rag Baby LP



Bring Back The Night/? (7")



Tracks
1Bring Back The Night
2?
+ ?


Personnel?
Rocky Sullivan
John Cipollina
+ ?


198?
Release History
LabelCat NoCountryFormatDateNotes
Rag BabyBRAG 103 7"



Shake Your Shake/Love Me Just A Little (7")



Tracks
1Shake Your Shake
2Love Me Just A Little
+ ?


Personnel?
Rocky Sullivan
John Cipollina
+ ?


1980
Release History
LabelCat NoCountryFormatDateNotes
Jupiter 7"



Internal Affairs

LP Front

LP Front

LP Front

LP Front

LP Front



Tracks
1.Be My Baby **3:46
2.One Good Reason5:02
3.One of a Kind3:45
4.I Was Wrong3:28
5.Love Me Just A Little *4:22
6.Make Me Shake *3:33
7.Blues Again3:25
8.Victim of Circumstance4:30
9.Another Heart4:10
10.My Baby3:49
Total39:54


All songs written by Rocky Sullivan

Produced by: Jimmy Douglass
Recorded at: Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, CA
Music Annexe, Menlo Park, CA
Atlantic Studios, New York, NY
Photography & Hand Coloring: Dennis Chuning

Personnel
Rocky SullivanVocals
Mike VarneyGuitar
John CipollinaGuitar *
Greg DouglassGuitar *
Jeff PilsonBass, Backing Vocals
Mario CipollinaBass *
Mickey ShineDrums, Backing Vocals
Marc NielsenDrums *
Charles TappDrums **, Backing Vocals
Mark RobertsonKeyboards, Backing Vocals
Nicky HopkinsKeyboards *
Trish RobbinsBacking Vocals
Jill BergmanBacking Vocals


Release History
LabelCat NoCountryFormatDateNotes
CarrereFrance LP1981
Rag Baby/LineGermany LP1982
Rag Baby/LineGermany CD1989



Palms, San Francisco, July 2, 1978 + Santa Cruz, February 2, 1979



Tracks
Palms, SF, July 2, 1978
1.Bigelow 6-50003:48(John Cipollina)
2.Watcha Get3:29
3.Jackknife Lover3:44
4.Roxy4:59
5.Fever Dreams6:07(John Cipollina)
6.Nobody's Fool3:40
7.Pissed Off3:42
8.Backup Girl3:52
9.Who's Kidding Who5:27
10.Everybody's Got A Price5:56
11.Going Down The Tubes3:23
Santa Cruz, Febtuary 2, 1979
12.Just A Little4:19
13.Roxy5:30
14.Heart's On Fire3:00
15.Jackknife Lover3:26
16.Be My Girl3:02
17.Crowd Pleaser4:46
18.Shake Your Shake4:07
Total76:27


Part of JC Tree #4

The artwork has 19 tracks listed, with "You're So Hot" between 15 and 16.


Personnel
Rocky SullivanV
John CipollinaG
Mario CipollinaB, V
Palms
Joey CovingtonD
John FontaineG
Santa Cruz
Greg DouglassG
Marc NielsenD
Trish RobbinsV
Jill BeckmanV



Catalyst, St. Cruz, CA, July 21, 1979



Tracks
1.intro > Back Up Girl > chat3:39
2.Bigelow 65000 > chat3:59
3.Love Me Just A Little4:15
4.chat > Roxy6:00
5.chat > Hearts On Fire3:02
6.Jacknife Lover > chat4:15
7.Are You Still My Girl? > chat, song intro4:20
8.Crowd Pleaser > song intro5:08
9.Shake Your Shake3:59
Encore
10....band intro > Shake Your Shake con't4:43
Total43:24


unknown analog audience recording

Notes:
- encore fades in
- seems the band returned for a 2nd performance of "Shake Me Shake", this time with introducing the band members.


Personnel
Rocky SullivanVocals
John CipollinaGuitars
Greg DouglassGuitars
Mario CipollinaBass
Marc NielsenDrums
?Backing Vocals


from http://www.bay-area-bands.com
San Francisco rock singer/songwriter - who should have done way better. Catchy tunes with a rockin' feeling - that might describe his music. The voice reminding of Bruce Springsteen at times. All that talent must have been the reason why many famous Bay Area artists joined Rocky Sullivan on his albums.
Rocky Sullivan was born as Anthony Galante in New York in 1948 and that's also the place where he joined his first bands. He started with the doo wop group 'The Visuals' and then went on to play with 'The Braid'. Further information regarding these bands can be found in an interview with Rocky (link underneath) and the discography. When Rocky came to San Francisco he had not only changed his name but also started his solo career and recorded several albums.
"Illegal Entry" (1980), a nice enough album which includes the tasty "Everybodies Got A Price", features among others, Nicky Hopkins, Greg Douglass, John Cipollina and Mario Cipollina. The songs on this album were recorded even before Rocky had a record deal during several sessions in 1978 (March, July and October) at the Automat, San Francisco. Except two songs, which were written by John Cipollina, Rocky wrote all songs himself.
"Back Up Girl" and "Roxy" had already been released before on San Fransico's Jupiter Records compilation City Lights in 1979. Which also featured the first appearance by Tommy Tutone.
In 1982 Rocky released his second album "Internal Affairs" - once again with Mario and John Cipollina plus ex-Clover drummer Micky Shine. Compared to his first record Rocky's second album is full of songs with hit approach. Possibly the best songs he ever recorded. Unfortunately the album didn't get the reception it deserved. All songs on this album were written by Rocky.
On his 1986 album "Caught In The Crossfire", which was produced by Barry Flast, Rocky Sullivan used a differen't band including his wife Ilona who provided backing vocals. The album was released on the German label Line Records and all songs were composed by Rocky himself.
Although Rocky's musical talent led to believe that he might become somewhat more famous this never happened. This can also be attributed to an auto-immune disease which kept Rocky from making music for a long time.
Around 2002 Rocky, who had been writing novels once he stopped making music at the end of the 80s, started to write songs again and sang a few songs at the 13th John Cipollina Memorial, May 29, 2002.
Rocky Sullivan passed away at the age of 59 on November 25, 2007. He will be missed by fans, friends and family.



Automatt Recorders, San Francisco, CA, August 28, 1979

Tracks
1.Back Up Girl
2.Bigelow 6-5000
3.Roxy
4.Don't You Let Your Dog Bite Me (?)
5.Fever Dreams
6.Love Me Just A Little
7.Make Me Shake
Total


unknown analog sbd

Personnel
Rocky SullivanVocals
John CipollinaGuitars
Greg DouglassGuitars
Mario CipollinaBass
Marc NielsenDrums
Nicky HopkinsKeyboards



Caught in the Crossfire

LP Front

LP Back

LP Back

LP Back

LP Back

LP Back

LP Back



Tracks
1Caught in the Crossfire
2The Year of the Wolf
3Ain't Lettin' Go
4Operator
5Powerplay
6Takin' Chances
7The Gift
8Now That I Found You
9Fire in the Sky
10Never Again


Personnel
Rocky Sullivan
Jim Hodder
James Rolleston
Bob Zuckerman
Joel Jaffe
Barry Flast
Martin Fierro
Dave Menketti
Doug Adams
Lisa Haley
Bob Amacker
Desda Cordtz
Rahni Raines
Ilona Sullivan


Release History
LabelCat NoCountryFormatDateNotes
Line LP1986
Rag BabyRAG-1021 LP1984


Information and graphics on this page supplied by Stephan Petersen, to whom many thanks.


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Last updated: April 11, 2022