Roy Rosetta

Obituaries and remembrances
of steel guitarists, their friends and families

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Wesley Medlen
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Post by Wesley Medlen »

So sorry to hear of this. Roy was a great musician and friend May god bless and keep this wonderful family. Wes and Jenny
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Ivan Posa
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Post by Ivan Posa »

RIP Roy Rossetta, a wonderful musician, the Eveready Battery man who never stopped.
David Martin
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Post by David Martin »

If you attended a lot of Steel shows like I did for years, a show wouldn't be the same without Roy. He could play anything that was thrown his way. He was a master musician and also a down to earth guy that didn't mind taking time to talk to you. His memory will live on forever.
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Neil Degraw
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Post by Neil Degraw »

Roy probably played for more of Forum members than any other one person. Roy and Barbara have also probably prayed for more of us folk that have faced difficult situations. They are real people that have made a difference with beautiful music and touching our lives.

WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT
Buddie Hrabal
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Post by Buddie Hrabal »

Condolences to Barbara and family. A great loss to the steel guitar world. Truly one heck of a nice guy! RIP Brother.
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J R Rose
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Post by J R Rose »

OH NO, HOW SAD this is. What a beautiful couple he and Barbara were. He was just all ways a Gentleman and a GREAT musician. He touched so many in his time. My Prayers to Barbara and their family. May he RIP. J.R.
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gary pierce
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Post by gary pierce »

Roy was an icon at the steel shows for decades, condolences to his family.
John Haspert
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Roy Rosetta

Post by John Haspert »

I am so saddened to read this. Roy was a truly gifted musician, humble and a wonderful person. Prayers to Rosetta family at this difficult time.

I recall two things about Roy- 1.) at one of the St. Louis shows, we were walking to the elevators. I complimented him on his technique and always having the perfect piano parts for each player regardless of style. His reply was so typical of his humility and he said, “I just try to stay out of the steel player’s way.” He was the consummate professional. 2.) Another time, I asked him how he managed to have such a varied pallette to draw from to be able to support the players and play wide array of songs and have solos in ranges of different musical keys of the artists. He replied that as he practiced or played, he would use the transpose function of the keyboards to play in different keys to keep his skills sharp. While I have been gifted to work with a fair number of Professional musicians and gifted musicians over the past 40 years….it is a rare talent like Roy that you can throw a chart out in front of them and a key and the magic happens on the fly.

Roy was my hero and shows just won’t be the same without him. RIP!
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Jim Cohen
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Post by Jim Cohen »

I'm stunned and saddened by this terrible news. He was a giant and a prince. Every show I played with him was so much better because I had Roy on my team. I always knew things would work out great so was able to relax more and do my thing. As with Bobby Caldwell, I learned so much just from playing with him on stage. He gave the steel world so much and he will be sorely missed. Thank you Roy, my friend. Rest in peace. My deepest condolences to Barbara and the family. A sad day indeed.

p.s. It was Roy who came up with the nickname of Jimbeaux for me.
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Richard Alderson
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Post by Richard Alderson »

I saw Roy live with Vince Gill and John Huey. His enthusiasm and charisma brought joy to the performance. What a steel fan too ! A honorary member of the steel guitar community even though he was a keyboard player. We were blessed to have him grace so many stages. I am really sorry to to see this news. Condolences to the family.
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Jamie Howze
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Post by Jamie Howze »

What a terrible shock. RIP Roy and condolences to Barbara and family.
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Walter Stettner
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Post by Walter Stettner »

Oh my God, this is so sad to start the new year with such terrible news. What a kind and gentle person he was, always relaxed and smiling plus being a giant musician and the backbone for us steel players at numerous shows across the country. I have often admired his overall presence on stage, playing for endless hours with everybody, always delivering the very best. He and Bobby Caldwell were the steady figures one could always rely on.

My condolences and deepest sympathy to Barbara and the family, may you find peace knowing that this man will always be remembered as a true legend. Our musical world will never be the same from now on.

RIP, Roy and thanks for the joy you spread among us all.

Walter Stettner
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Ron Whitworth
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Post by Ron Whitworth »

So sad to read this.
He will be missed immensely by all in the steel guitar
world & by all of his friends.
Prayers sent to Barbara and the rest of his family
and friends.
RIP my friend.
Ron
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Some of the best pieces of life are the little pieces all added up..Ron

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Paul Wade
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Post by Paul Wade »

so sad to here of roy passing. prayers are sent to roy family....

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C.D. Richards
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Post by C.D. Richards »

So sad to hear this news. I had the privilege of knowing Roy for several years and it was an honor to play several steel shows with him. I thanked him for putting up with my attempt to play Steel. His comment was "It was my pleasure". My wife and I always looked forward to seeing and visting with Roy and Barbara at the steel guitars shows.
My God bless Barbara and Roy's family in this time of sorrow.
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Chuck S. Lettes
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Post by Chuck S. Lettes »

So sad to hear this. Roy was always a pillar at the steel guitar shows, and he was such a supportive player. My condolences to Barbara. I will miss Roy.
Chuck
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Jim R. Harrison
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Post by Jim R. Harrison »

I cannot believe this! Roy was such an integral part of the steel guitar community long before I eve met him; he will be severely missed by all of us. Words cannot express my sorrow. My condolences to Barbara and his family.

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Marty Neer
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Roy Rosetta

Post by Marty Neer »

So long my friend. Your dedication to music and the steel community was a gift to all of us. Thanks for the memories you have left us with. RIP
Charley Hill
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Post by Charley Hill »

A great man gone too soon.

My first introduction to Steel Guitar was listening to the band play at Scotty’s. Scotty always mentioned Roy and he seemed bigger than life on those shows and records. Because He Was!

After getting to know Roy and Barbara, it was great to see them as family.

Roy’s service to our great nation as a veteran and to our steel guitar community will be be remembered as a rich legacy. Fair winds and following seas………

BC
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Cliff Trent
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Rip

Post by Cliff Trent »

Loved Roy since Bobby Bowman introduced us in 2003. Loved his music and always loved his ad-libbing when needed! RIP my friend!
Bruce Heffner
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So Sad

Post by Bruce Heffner »

He was a great musician and dedicated to helping promote the pedal steel guitar shows....................another legend has left the stage of mother earth.
Bruce from Arizona these days
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Stu Schulman
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Post by Stu Schulman »

My condolences to Barbara and family I was lucky enough to get to know Roy through the Mesa shows.What a wonderful person and I believe that he knew every song ever written...What a loss.A sad day for sure.
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Bob Taillefer
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RIP dear friend

Post by Bob Taillefer »

Debra and I are very saddened by the passing of a great musician and a true gentleman.

Our condolences to Barbara and family.

Bob and Debra
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Chris Templeton
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Post by Chris Templeton »

Roy was a tireless supporter of our instrument. So sorry to see that he has left us.
Does anyone know if he played steel?
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HowardR
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Post by HowardR »

I never met Roy but for 20 some odd years I always saw him at the steel guitar shows....and just from observing him play and interact on stage and off stage with others, I knew the kind of gentleman that he was.......I think he played more steel shows than steel guitarists, from morning to night, tirelessly.....and it appeared that the National Guard might have to be called to escort him off the stage :lol:

He will be sorely missed at the shows and otherwise....thank you Roy, for the joy that you have given me throughout the years as a fan in the background.....

My sympathy and condolences to Roy's family.......
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