Richie "La Bamba" Rosenberg

Richie "LaBamba" Rosenberg
Rosenberg in concert at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia
Background information
Also known as	LaBamba (or La Bamba)
Origin	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Genres	Big band Contemporary
Instruments	Trombone
Associated acts	Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes The Miami Horns Bruce Springsteen LaBamba and the Hubcaps LaBamba's Big Band (aka 18 Pieces of Soul) Jon Bon Jovi Jimmy Vivino and the Basic Cable Band
Website	LaBamba and the Hubcaps

Richie "LaBamba" Rosenberg is an American trombonist originating from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is a member of the house band on Conan O'Brien's late-night talk shows.

Rosenberg became a trombonist when his junior high instrumental director, Leroy Evans, lent him a trombone to practice with over a summer break. Evans, concerned about a shrinking brass section due to graduating students, told Rosenberg to learn how to play and to come see him in the fall when school resumed. Rosenberg attributes "it all" to Evans. Rosenberg attended George Washington High School in Philadelphia. His senior year in high school, he and the saxophonist in jazz band both made first chair in the Philadelphia All City Jazz band. Rosenberg's early influences included J. J. Johnson, Otis Redding, and Teddy Pendergrass.

After a short-lived first year at the Philadelphia Music Academy, Rosenberg abandoned his scholarship to tour with the band Vicki Allen and the Image. A high school friend and fellow musician Rick Gazda called him with “an offer [he couldn't] refuse” that brought him from Schenectady, New York to the Stone Pony rock club in Asbury Park. The offer came from Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes. While at the Jukes, during a tour to Amsterdam, when asked whether he was Italian, he answered: why no, I am Jewish - quite reminiscent to Frank Zappa"s: "love your nails".

After joining the Jukes, Rosenberg moved to the Shore area and lived in Belmar, Long Branch, and across from the Stone Pony.