1. Richie Castellano is a member of the band Blue Oyster Cult.
20 Facts About Richie Castellano
1. 2.
Richie Castellano began to study guitar at the age of seven.
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Richie Castellano cites the music of Queen as an important influence on the development of his musical style.
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At that time, Richie Castellano met Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal, who became one of his most important mentors.
5.
In 1997, inspired in part by Thal's 1995 debut solo album The Adventures of Bumblefoot, Richie Castellano recorded a 13-song solo concept album.
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Richie Castellano won two songwriting awards for one of the songs from Alone in My Basement.
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Richie Castellano won a competition to write a song for his high school graduation.
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Richie Castellano enrolled in the Conservatory of Music at the State University of New York at Purchase in 1998.
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Richie Castellano majored in Studio Production, studying the then-new practice of digital recording.
10.
Richie Castellano assisted Thal with the production of his album, Uncool.
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Richie Castellano earned his master's degree in music from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in December 2002.
12.
In December 2003, Richie Castellano served as sound engineer on Blue Oyster Cult's 13 city tour of Germany.
13.
Richie Castellano first performed with Blue Oyster Cult as bass guitarist in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 18,2004, shortly after Danny Miranda left the band.
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Richie Castellano remained in that position until early 2007, when original member Allen Lanier retired from the band.
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At that time, Richie Castellano filled the position of rhythm guitar and keyboards, while Danny Miranda returned briefly to fill the position of bassist.
16.
In 2011, Richie Castellano had a viral video hit with his rendition of Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody" where he performed all of the vocals and instrumentals.
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Richie Castellano has done a similar project with The Beatles Abbey Road Medley.
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Richie Castellano is credited as co-producer, engineer and mixer on the album.
19.
Richie Castellano currently uses guitars manufactured by Ernie Ball Music Man.
20.
Richie Castellano uses Line 6 Helix and Variax products and an Audio-Technica Wireless system.