From the Piano Bench: Memorable Moments With Mobsters, Moguls, Movie Stars, and More [Paperback]

Roger Rossi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2000

This classic collection of true stories, as told through the eyes of a 'better than average' piano player, is sure to take the reader back in time with delight from 1957 to the present. It features humorous, sad, and enlightening stories (all unique and all true!) about Perry Como, Jack Nicklaus, Itzhak Perlman, Liberace, Joe Louis, Rocky Graziano, Jimmy Hoffa, Whitey Ford, Vic Damone, Melissa Manchester, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Robin Leach, Chuck Mangione, Johnny Mathis and many more. This book makes a wonderful gift.

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

I'm a fulltime professional pianist. I'm neither great nor famous. That's precisely why I undertook this mini-autobiography. You see, if I were great or famous, then both you and I could understand why I've had such unique experiences and encounters with such famous people. My possessing simply average skills, and being totally unknown to most people, makes that interplay border on the astonishing.

Witnessing Perry Como accidently drenched by a tray of spilled cocktails, when he applauded my band's performance, was memorable. Having Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous host Robin Leach, as a guest in my house, was unique. Knocking one of the world,s premier concert violinists,Itzhak Perlman, right on his rear, then adding insult to injury with the apology, was embarrassing. How many unknown piano players are past presidents of the local Rotary Club, and yet, on the other side of life's coin, have had a close friendship with a notorious member of the Carlo Gambino crime family? That friend, Joseph "Joe Dogs" Iannuzzi was a catalyst to the downfall of The Godfather, Big Paulie Castallano.

There are stories involving sport stars, recording, television and movie celebrities, royalty and underworld crime figures. Stories about Princess Diana, John Kennedy Jr., Jack Nicklaus, Rodney Dangerfield, Shelley Winters, Liberace, Vic Damone, Tennessee Ernie Ford. Johnny Mathis, Rocky Graziano, Joe Louis, Evel Knievel, Jimmy Hoffa, Whitey Ford and more, much more. Many are humorous, some bizarre, others embarrassing. They're all interesting and true.

Enjoy!!
Roger Rossi, author
Palm City, Florida.

About the Author

Roger Rossi is a professional musician, a raconteur, a golfer, a bandleader piano player, an entertainer thru song and story. He lives in Florida with his wife Sal, lead singer in his band. He still does a gig nearly every night. Roger and Sal have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Aslan Pub (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0944031870
• ISBN-13: 978-0944031872
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,970,510 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Easy reading with lots of laughs., December 27, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Piano Bench: Memorable Moments With Mobsters, Moguls, Movie Stars, and More (Paperback)

"From the Piano Bench" was filled with funny stories from page one. The author gives us a good glimpse of life from his professional perch. The stories flow along effortlessly with his wry wit and quirky style providing laughs all the way through. I never thought playing the paino for a living would be so much fun and lead to so many encounters with famous people. A good book for anytime reading!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Coffee Table Book, December 3, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: From the Piano Bench: Memorable Moments With Mobsters, Moguls, Movie Stars, and More (Paperback)

I have enjoyed this book thoroughly. Several of my friends have picked this book up from my coffee table and read a few quick stories. I personally read the book in two days. It is easy reading and I naturally couldn't wait to go on to the next story. How fortunate the author, Roger Rossi, has been to have so many experiences in his life. Yet, he is just an ordinary guy. This book has made for quick Christmas shopping. I've already bought four to give as gifts.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Style, April 22, 2002

By 

Janet norman (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: From the Piano Bench: Memorable Moments With Mobsters, Moguls, Movie Stars, and More (Paperback)

This author really downplays how good a pianist and entertainer he is. I've read his book and he wants to sound like Joe Average piano pounder, but that's not true. He plays ANYTHING, yes ANYTHING. And he plays it well. I mean classics, jazz, cool, romantic, oldies, R & B, R & R, and country and whatever. And he plays them well. I've heard him play alone and with his cute wife Sal, and they are terrific.
But about his book---it's a rip! The guy has met, fallen on or over or into the lap of, about any sort of celeb you can name. He's done it graciously ( if occasionally clumsily) and the results have been hysterical. I mean this guy is as down to earth as they come, but he really has hobnobbed with the full range of celeb--Perlman to Dangerfield--and I mean up close and personal. He's writes a funny book chock full of cute stories and anecdotes.
I think this book makes a great gift. I got my copy from my Dad who lives in Florida, and I couldn't put it down after I cracked the first page. A must read--fun book!