Biography
Born in Kenosha, WI and raised in Rockton, IL, Rizzo knew very early on that he wanted to play guitar. His parents had taken him to see Kiss in concert in 1979 and instantly he wanted to be Ace Frehley. He began taking lessons at Paradise Guitars in Beloit, WI at age 9, beginning with more formal training and competing in the Illinois Music League competitions in the early 80's. He placed second both years he entered (he jokes that there were only 2 competitors). Once he found rock music, his life was changed and he immersed himself in the guitar heavy music of the 80's rock bands (Van Halen, AC/DC, Scorpions, Tesla, Ratt, Whitesnake, etc.)
Rizzo formed his first band, China White, with his elementary school classmates Chad Coonrod (drums) and John Pond (bass), along with a lead singer from a neighboring town, Jesse Foht. The band played their first club show before 3 of the 4 members could even drive.
He relocated to Dallas, TX in 1997 with LeSonic. The band split up soon after the move and Rizzo was left bandless. In 1999 he joined Clumsy (featuring Marc Solomon formerly of Perfect and the Clowns). He spent 2 years touring with the band before they decided to call it quits and pursue other projects.
Rizzo continued to write and demo songs with plans of relocating to Los Angeles, CA, but in June 2003 he received a call from his friend Casey Orr, who also happened to play bass for the Burden Brothers. He asked if Rizzo would be interested in auditioning for the open guitar player spot in the band. He accepted, auditioned and got the job. He was a member of the Burden Brothers from August 2003 to August 2007. While he was a member of the band they released two albums, 2003's Buried in Your Black Heart and 2006's Mercy, on Kirtland Records as well as a live performance DVD entitled RYFOLAMF.
Rizzo officially left the band on May 29, 2007. His departure was not announced until August 6, 2007, one day after his last show on August 5, 2007 in Madison, WI.
In September 2008 Rizzo moved to Nashville, TN and is currently a member of the Nashville based band, Adalene.
Read more about this topic: Corey Rozzoni
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