Hamilton Blues Lovers: "The Heart of Niagara" Rick Rose Passes

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Rick Rose, a Niagara music legend with over four decades of experience.

From his obituary:

MAIURI, Rick Rose - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Rick, with his loving family by his side, at the Greater Niagara General Hospital on Sunday July 14, 2024 at the age of 64.

Beloved husband and best friend of 37 years to Rosa (nee DiRamio). Devoted father of Melanie (Mike) Snow, Jake (Julia) Maiuri and loving Papa of Miller, Madden. Cherished brother of Fred (Theresa) Maiuri, Lita (Gene) Artista and brother-in-law of Allen (Edith) DiRamio, Maria (Ernie) Nemett. Loving uncle of Alicia (JB), Lucas, Halle, Michael (Jackie), Preston (Carol) and Trevor (Jocelyn). Rick will be greatly missed by many aunts, uncles, cousins, great-nieces, great-nephews and friends. He is predeceased by his parents Bernardo and Elvira (nee Simone) Maiuri, in-laws Mario and Nancy (DiRamio) and nephew Ryan Nemett.

Rick was known to the community as Rick Rose the musician, but at home, he was the man who always put his family first and made memories that will last a lifetime. He looked forward to the kids coming over to play a board game, or a round of trivia (which he always won). His favorite time, was sitting in the backyard with Rosa by the fire, listening to one of the many music playlists he put together.

Rick was active in the music industry for more than 40 years, including most recent owning and operating the Niagara Institute of Music and Arts. Throughout the years, he had songs on over 20 albums, some charting in Canadian Radio’s Top 40. He wrote the theme song for the film 'Rude Awakening', and wrote Dreaming Out Loud for Doc Walker, a two time Juno Award nominee. He has shared the stage with Eddie Money, Billy Ray Cyrus, Three Dog Night, and Barbra Mandrell. He was a staff songwriter for Sony Music in Nashville and Warner Tamerlane. Many will remember the good times had watching a few of his bands, starting with Lennex, then Perfect Affair, and most recently The Rick Rose Band. Babe, we want to thank you for the Greatest Train Ride...

The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff at the Walker Family Cancer Centre, the St. Catharines General Hospital and the Greater Niagara General Hospital. All are invited to join the family at the PATTERSON FUNERAL HOME, 6062 Main St. Niagara Falls, visiting Thursday July 18, 2024 from 5 to 9 pm and Friday July 19, 2024 from 1 to 4 pm and 7 to 9 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday at 10:30 am at St. Ann's Church, with the Rite of Committal to follow at Fairview Cemetery.

In honour of Rick's life and love of music, memorial contributions may be made to the Rick Rose Music Foundation to support the many aspects of music in Niagara Falls. Online condolences at pattersonfuneralhome.com.

To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Rick Rose Maiuri, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

His career highlights include:

Founding the band LennexLennex, with soon-to-be Honeymoon Suite frontman Johnnie Dee
Lennex released Struggle, the first flexidisc released in Canada (included in a 1982 issue of Music Express Magazine)
Recording with producers Mick Ronson (Bowie), Jim Steinman (Meatloaf), Paul A Rothchild (Doors, Janis Joplin) and Desmond Child
Co-wrote the theme song (with Jim Steinman & Paul A Rothchild) and to the 1989 film Rude Awakening (sung by Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers)

Click here for the Niagara Falls Review story

Social Media Reaction

Jim Diodati (Niagara Falls Mayor)

So upsetting to hear of the passing of Niagara Falls' own Rick Rose. He was a talented local musician, singer, songwriter, author, producer and business-owner of NIOMA who was always eager to lend a hand & very generous with his time and talents at community events. I'll always remember Rick Rose performing at my bar in the 80's, while promoting his new single "Gypsy Jewelry" and signing autographs for all of his fans...and what a show he put on! Later, my kids took keyboard and singing lessons from Rick who was always encouraging, inspiring and a gentle soul. I always loved meeting up with Rick at community events and watching him proudly witness his many music students' success, with a big smile on his face. His love for music and our community was evident and ran deep in his heart. My condolences to Rick's family, friends and all those whose lives he touched- RIP to a true talent!

David Rotella (Light of Day Festival)

First off, I want to send out my love and deepest condolences to Rick's beautiful wife Rosa, his son Jake, his daughter Melanie, and all his friends and family. I'm truly sorry for your loss.
𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱
When I was a teenager I'd sneak into the Fallsway on Clifton Hill to see the Rick Rose Band play..maybe even sneak a few beers ("A couple of Millwakee's Best, the coldest ones, I guess") He was our hometown Springsteen, our hometown Cougar....hell, they had a sax player. I was a fan.
Years later, I got to know Rick, and when Mike Minervini and I were planning our first Light of Day Canada event, we called Rick and Mark Matthews to help us. He told us what we had to do with sound, bands, etc. and even helped us bring his friend, Ron Sexsmith to our first show (that was cool). Rick played a killer set with his band, and the rest, as they say is history.
Rick played several Light of Day shows, as well as our virtual Light of Day shows, the Light of Day Songwriters shows, and of course, he played the Final Farewell show with his trio. My favorite was when he played the Sunday Songwiters show at the Watermark Restaraunt overlooking the Falls with Joe Grushecky, Joe D'Urso, Willie Nile and John Eddie. What a show!
I loved Rick's music. He knew that one of my all-time favorite songs, up there with Drift Away, Thunder Road and Carmelita (we were both big Zevon fans) was his masterpiece, "The Greatest Train Ride". That song chokes me up every time I hear it, and if I was in the crowd he always sent it out to me. We included it in the music at the funeral home when my Dad died. It's one of the most beautiful Father and Son songs ever written. From Buffalo to Yonkers....damn!
Over the past several years he was a big influence on Evan. Evan loved his music too and he gave him some great advice, including "when you play covers, make them your own...don't try to sound like the artist'...and so he did. He also played a few times with Evan as a duo and in our Songwriters shows. He influenced Evan so much that he started playing Dreaming Out Loud a couple of years ago at many of his gigs. I remember sending a video to Rick and he loved it. He also talked about putting together an album of local artists doing his songs and Evan doing Dreaming Out Loud. I really hope we can make that dream come true for him in the near future.
One of my favorite shows that he played was with Evan at The Canalside in Port Colborne when they both swapped songs all night and Rick went into a great version of Your Mama Don't Dance and he asked Evan to play harmonica. I enjoyed it so much I forgot to video tape it. But I have the memory!! He also did a killer version of "Ain't Even Done With The Night"...and yes, he made it his own.
What I'll remember the most is our talks last year before or after my podcast when we just talked about music. We had the exact same taste, but he knew 1000 times more. I could listen to him talk about his experiences all day. Recording with Anton Fig and the late, great Mick Ronson.
He was one of the good guys. Salt of the earth. Never talked bad about anyone. Always encouraging. He wasn't in it for the money, he wanted to help people, help young musicians...from teaching to mentorship...he had an impact on so many lives. He loved seeing artists grow and he did what he could to assist them. I spoke to a few folks over the last couple of days who told me incredible stories about how Rick helped them, their bands, etc. Other than our mutual friend, Dave Rave, I've never met anyone so connected and knowledgeable about the industry...and of course, so kind and so helpful. And I always knew, if I needed something from him, he was there.
Niagara has lost a legend (and that's not emotions or hyperbole) and the world has lost a great person, a great man, a great husband, a great father, and for many of us....a good friend. From the time I was 16 until now, Rick has always been to me and many, the Godfather of the Niagara Falls Music Scene. Asbury has Bruce Springsteen and we have Rick Rose. And I say it in the present tense because that won't change.
So Rick, I want to thank you for helping us all Dream Out Loud and for giving us "Something To Remember", but mostly thank you for taking us all on the "Greatest Train Ride".
In the words of one of Rick's favorite's, Steve Earle
"I'll see you when I get there Maestro"
Much love. Much respect.
#legend

Daryl Gray (Helix)

I'm starting to see posts about the passing of Niagara music legend Rick Rose. I knew Rick since 1978 when he was in Lennex with Johnny Dee.
Here's a funny story. I moved back to St Catharines in 1989 and went to see The Rick Rose Band at The Lion's in Port Dalhousie, my Tracy Kane band mates Kevin and Mike McDowell were playing with him. Their bass player quit after the 2nd set and Rick asked if I could fill in. I ended up sitting in with Rick for the next six weeks during which we auditioned guitarists for a new band, Scurvy Dogz.
Over the years I played with Rick many times and recorded on a bunch of songs. I will miss my friend and our condolences go out to his family and friends.💔😞

Evan Rotella

I grew up going to see bands around the falls because of how involved my dad was in music, so I was lucky enough to be at yanks when some of my favourite bands like, The Mandevilles, The Madhatters, The Roxwells, and of course Rick Rose were playing. Often shows for the Light of Day Foundation. Rick, as well as all those bands, became local heroes and inspiration to me at a very young age. I’m beyond appreciative for how supportive and good to me Rick was. I’m truly honoured that someone I looked up to since I was a kid was gracious enough to give me advice, and play some shows with me. It was always an honour being on the same stage with him, jamming with him, and just watching him play.
"Dreaming Out Loud" is one of my favourite songs of all time, it’s a perfect song, and one that I’ve been listening to a lot, especially these past couple of days. Thank you, Rick, we love and appreciate you for everything you did, and for the kind and caring person you were. My condolences go out to his family ❤️

Dave Rave

Very sad news losing my friend and fellow band mate Rick Rose Rick was the heart of Niagara and it was an honor that he asked me to perform with him and his band over the last few years. I will miss his kind and gentle ways My condolences to Rosa and his family Jake and Melanie. RIP Rick