The Rockit Live Foundation was honored to pay tribute to an extraordinary person and talent, Lou Pallo. On October 2, 2022, The Cutting Room NYC hosted a heartfelt performance by the Rockit Academy with special guests in remembrance of our dear friend. As an incredibly accomplished guitarist, Lou Pallo accompanied Les Paul for decades, recording and performing with countless world-renowned musicians. Keith Richards described Lou as, “The Man of a Million Chords.”
The concert featured live musical performances from Rockit Academy and special guests:
- Eddie Brigati | Founding Member of The Young Rascals & Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
- Ricky Byrd | Former Member of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts & Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee
- Carmine Appice | Legendary Rock Drummer
- Paul Shaffer | Bandleader / Musician of The World’s Most Dangerous Band
- Wé Ani McDonald | Pop Vocalist
- Paul Nowinski | Les Paul Trio
- Gordon Brown & Reagan Richards | Williams Honor
- Johnny Pisano | Bassist / Vocalist w/ Willie Nile
The Lou Pallo Scholarship
Thank you to Gibson Gives for creating the Lou Pallo Scholarship. The recipient of the Lou Pallo Scholarship was awarded to Sebastian de la Cruz, receiving a black Custom Les Paul guitar, a one year scholarship to participate in the Rockit Academy, and private guitar lessons and band performance.
“The Man Of A Million Chords” Tribute To Lou Pallo Channel 5 News Feature with Steve Lacy
Review from Reagan Richards of Williams Honor:
About last night….♥️
an overused statement by many, I know ~ but it really is appropriate for what was last night.
New York City….The Cutting Room …
A Tribute To Lou Pallo …”The Man of a Million Chords” presented by Rockit Live Foundation.
Words cannot truly say how humbled Gordon & I were to be part of such an unbelievable event honoring a man who I was privileged to share the stage with many times~Mr. Lou Pallo.
We performed a song that I have not sung publicly since 2005 (with Lou Pallo & Les Paul at the Iridium)
It was fitting that we do it last night.
We were joined by legendary bassist Paul Nowinski and badasses from RockIt Academy: guitarist Sam Ferrera & drummer Mike Viani.
Lou was such a beautiful person ….a mind blowing talent who always treated me with the utmost respect. He was kind & witty…and…massively supportive.
Watching clips of videos with students who played & were mentored by Lou and hearing them speak so candidly about their love for him was beyond heartwarming.
And let’s talk about the ridiculous TALENT of the Rockit Academy …The.TALENT??!!
There is no doubt Lou is beaming with pride from the best seat in the house…Because last night was pure FIRE with these kids.
I am not exaggerating in the least when I say the talent of this group of kids will knock. you. out.
Rockit Academy has such accomplished musicians ~it’s as if they’ve been playing for decades.
I’m thinking of “well known” tribute concerts ~recently, let’s take the Taylor Hawkins Tribute concert~a who’s who of massive greatness…
artists & musicians whose work we are very familiar with …whose records we’ve bought….
and I can’t help but think of what last night was.
Last night’s concert was every bit as badass, with inspiring performances …also honoring someone we all loved …The difference is that these kids just don’t have their hit records yet.
But~If there is one thing you can count on…
it’s that you’ll be seeing and hearing these musicians all over the place for years & years to come…♥️
It was a packed house …packed with love for Lou…
with so many joining onstage from Paul Shaffer to Ricky Byrd to Carmine Appice to Eddie Brigati to Johnny Pisano and more…
Keith Richards sent a heartfelt video expressing how sorry he was for not being able to be at the Cutting Room yesterday, but spoke of his immense love for Lou.
There was all that and more…
The saying ~ “you had to be there”….
well, it certainly fits.
I can tell you all about it….all about the energy in that room ~
but…you had to be there.
Thank You to Bruce for approaching us early on to be part of this epic event dedicated to Lou.
Lou🙏🙏🙏you are truly loved and dearly missed~
But as you see…you are not forgotten..♥️♥️♥️
Thank You for always being so giving of your beautiful heart to everyone.