Rock Romano

Roger Francis Romano (born February 14, 1945) He grew up enjoying music and art and by the age of 13, was already being paid to play guitar. He attended the University of St. Thomas with an interest in art history and painting. John and Dominique de Menil supported his artwork, even matching some of his school grants.

Music career In 1969, a newly graduated Romano stepped away from painting and into the Houston music scene. During the 1970s and 1980s, he joined the crowd of Montrose musicians that included Townes Van Zandt, Guy Clark, Eric Taylor, Richard Dobson, and Don Sanders. Romano created and appeared in a number of short-lived bands over the years, including Little Fitz, the Baroque Brothers, Smokin Fitz, and the New Texas Bluesicians. But later included Fred McLain on lead guitar, Bob Henschen on piano, Bernard Sampson on saxophone and flute, Don Jones on bass and Art Kidd on drums. They performed a few shows, and guitarist John Fahey offered Thompson $250 to record a demo.

In 1979, Romano, Kenneth Blanchet (formerly of Steppenwolf and the Sherwoods), Michael Knust (of Fever Tree), and Rich Layton founded the big party band, Doctor Rockit. The Sisters of Mercy, Cindy Thrall and Lisa Williams, joined shortly after. When Doctor Rockit first started, the rock group struggled to land gigs. Romano instead threw parties at his own home where the band could play and focused on gaining audiences by word of mouth. Soon, Dr. Rockit and the Sisters of Mercy had hundreds of people in attendance at shows at Anderson Fair, Rockefeller's, the Magnolia Ballroom, - they even once opened for Bo Diddley at Fitzgerald’s. The band's run concluded in a final show for Romano's 40th birthday on February 14, 1985, at Fitzgerald's, but the group still reunites every few years - typically on Romano’s birthday - to perform.

Romano continues to perform and tour with other Houston-based musicians, including Trudy Lynn and Steve Krase.

Art Romano has also found success through his visual artwork roots in recent years. In August 2013, the d.m. allison art gallery hosted an exhibition of Romano's artwork. It was the gallery's most popular exhibition to date - in the month that his paintings were in the gallery, Romano sold all 38, in addition to three extra commissioned pieces.

Discography