Rocky Frisco

Don Roscoe Joseph III (July 26, 1937 – May 26, 2015), professionally known as Rocky Frisco and Rocky Curtiss, was an American musician. He was best known as the longtime pianist for J. J. Cale, and for his role in the development of the music style known as the Tulsa Sound.

Music career Frisco was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He moved to Tulsa and attended Central High School in the 1950s, where he met J. J. Cale and graduated in 1955. Frisco and Cale played together in Gene Crose's band starting in 1957.

In May 2008, Frisco was inducted into the Oklahoma Blues Hall of Fame with a lifetime achievement award. On September 17, 2009, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame as a winner of the Eldon Shamblin Session Musician Award. In April 2012, he received the Bare Bones Film Festival's "Living Legend" Award.

Bands Bands and artists Frisco played and recorded with include:

Steve Pryor Empty Pockets Brad Absher Tom Skinner's Science Project Larry Spears Susan Herndon Lata Gouveia Dustin Pittsley Jesse Aycock J. J. Cale Dustin and Jesse's Higher Education The Kevin Phariss Band Rodney Lay Widespread Panic Dennis Crouch Blazon Pearl Snuggle Naked Li'l Tee The Formerly Withs The Dylan Whitney Band Tex Waggoner Whirligig

Acting Frisco occasionally appeared in films and videos. He can be seen in the short film Melvin, A Midwestern Tale, and in the 2003 Disney remake of Where the Red Fern Grows. He also appeared in Lata Gouveia's documentary Red Dirt: Songs from the Dust. In July 2011, Frisco appeared in the full-length feature Red Dirt on 66: A Road Movie.

Personal life and politics Frisco, known among friends as the "Roxster," was a songwriter and novelist, whose published and unpublished works remain a representation of his ongoing study of life. His broad interests extended to restoring English Austin and Morris Mini Coopers and MGs, and work as a general mechanic, repairing a variety of vehicles to supplement his income as a musician. He was a fan of Terry Pratchett, reflected by the fact that his personal Mini Cooper was nicknamed "The Luggage". He was also an accomplished silversmith and stone cutter, producing a collection of artisan jewelry ranging from pendants to belt buckles. Frisco was outspoken in his views of life, and was an occasional candidate for political office in Tulsa.

Discography Rocky Frisco (1996, independent release) Rocky Frisco (Expanded) (2014) An intimate moment with... the Legendary Rocky Frisco (2015)