- Born
- DiedSeptember 14, 2021 (Following heart surgery)
- Composer, conductor and guitarist educated in Newark schools who became a guitar soloist on radio, films and later television, and a recording artist. Joining ASCAP in 1964, his chief musical collaborator was Randy Sparks. His popular-song compositions include "Wagoners Song (Land of the Sacramento)".- IMDb Mini Biography By: Hup234!
- Ralph Grasso, guitarist/orchestrator for motion pictures, television and records. Ralph started in New York with his own musical TV show. He appeared as a guest soloist on the Ed Sullivan Show. While in the service, he won first place in a worldwide talent contest, after which he was assigned to perform as soloist for the President of the United States when foreign dignitaries were entertained. Over the years Ralph has performed for five United States Presidents, as well as Queen Elizabeth.
He was musical arranger/conductor/guitarist for Jimmie Rodgers for five years. An active "studio musician", he backed recording and TV names such as: Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Anthony Newley, Andy Williams, and many others, too many to mention.
Ralph has performed as guitarist on the following albums: "The Contemporary Sound of Nelson Riddle", "The Frank Sinatra Family Christmas Album", also with Nelson Riddle, "The Young Beat of Rome", "Russian Grandeur", "Candy's Theme", "Good Vibrations", and "Moog Poower", with Hugo Montenegro.
His motion picture scores include: "Thunder Road" with Robert Mitchum, Hugo Montenegro's: "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.", "Hang 'Em High", "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly", and "A Few Dollars More", with Clint Eastwood, also "Lady In Cement" with Frank Sinatra, the comedy "Viva Max", and "The Matt Helm Movie Series" with Dean Martin. Included is Nelson Riddle's, "On A Clear Day", with Barbra Streisand, "Paint Your Wagon" with Lee Marvin and Clint Eastwood, "The Rita Hayworth Story" with Linda Carter, music by Lalo Schifirin. Ralph also orchestrated many of these productions.
He played guitar every week on the following TV series: "The Smothers Brothers Show", "The Glen Campbell Show", "The Jonathan Winters Show", "I Dream of Jeannie", "Here Come the Brides", "The Outcast", "The Blue Knight", "Mobile One", "Poppy", "City of Angels", "Executive Suite", "240 Robert", "Project UFO", "Stride Force" with Robert Stack, "Chips", and "The Love Boat". He was also a special guest (solo guitarist) on "Three's Company" starring John Ritter.
He has appeared on such TV specials as: "The Entertainment Hall of Fame", doing a duet with Tony Bennett, as well as the Emmy Award winning "Salute to Richard Rogers TV special" playing for: Dianne Carrol, Cloris Leachman, Sandy Duncan, Vic Damone, Peggy Lee, Leana Horne, and Sammy Davis Jr. Bestseller movie series include: "Rich Man, Poor Man", "7th Avenue", and the award winning "79 Park Avenue". Ralph also appeared on a series of individual TV tribute specials, for people such as: Elizabeth Taylor, Jimmy Stewart, Billy Wylder, Alfred Hitchcock, Betty Davis, and Fred Astaire. Other TV specials such as "The Golden Globe Awards" and "The Academy Award Show" on its 50th Anniverary add to his credits.
Many of the other musical personalities Ralph has worked with are: Henry Mancini (The Pink Panther), Paul Weston, Les Brown, Sonny & Cher, Liza Minnelli, Captain & Tennele, Sarah Vaughn, Al Hirt, Ella Fitzgerald, Jack Jones Natalie Cole, Paul Williams, John Denver, Evis Presley, Doc Severenson and the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Herb Alpert & the TJ Brass. The great jazz artists: Ray Brown, Plas Jonnson, Bud Shank, Shelly Mann, Herb Ellis, Howard Roberts, Barney Kessel, Tommy Tedesco and many others.
Rounding out his performing experience, Ralph has recorded as a solo artist for Capitol Records and the Dot Records labels. He has recent CDs and a soon to be published autobiography, and is presently active doing concerts, clinics and seminars, as well as instructing private students on guitar and bass.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Ralph Grasso
- Now living 15 miles south of Tucson, Arizona in Green Valley, Arizona.
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