Rocco DeLuca | |
---|---|
Rocco DeLuca at the Commodore Ballroom, February 2011
|
|
Background information | |
Born | December 27, 1975 |
Origin | Long Beach, California, United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | 429 Records (USA) |
Associated acts |
|
Website | www |
Rocco DeLuca (born December 27, 1975) is a California-based indie rock musician who came to prominence as the lead singer of the four-piece band Rocco DeLuca and the Burden. Since 2009, DeLuca has toured and recorded as a solo artist.
DeLuca, half Italian and half German, was born in Torrance, California and grew up in Lake Elsinore and Long Beach. Like other Angelenos, he was surrounded by local literature, Latino art, motorcycles, film, and music. His early years were spent studying the likes of Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, and the darker and raw Delta Blues heroes of the 1920s. By the age of seven, DeLuca had taught himself to play listening to these records and, by the time he was a teenager, he had developed his skills and confidence to perform for others. Initially only playing instrumentally, he later began singing as well. Since, he has performed around the world as his authentic and unusual lyric and voice have garnered him international attention and acclaim.
DeLuca is known for his use of the Dobro, a particular design of resonator guitar. He began his career as a solo artist, opening for acts including Taj Mahal, John Mayer and John Lee Hooker, and has had the opportunity to play with Johnny Cash. From 2003 to 2006, he regularly played at Gypsy Lounge in Lake Forest, California. Starting in 2005, when DeLuca was signed by the independent record label Ironworks, he led the band Rocco DeLuca and the Burden until 2009. After the band's last performances, DeLuca continued as a solo artist as well as working on projects with Slash and Robbie Robertson. During his career, he has played with various legends such as Hooker, Cash, June Carter, and Daniel Lanois.