31:
1322:
331:
414:
He also works in his family's music store (Castellano's House of Music) in Staten Island on a private basis. In 2011, Castellano had a viral video hit with his rendition of Queen's "Bohemian
Rhapsody" where he performed all of the vocals and instrumentals. He has also done a similar project with The
423:
In May 2014, Castellano began a podcast called Band Geek with Richie
Castellano. Band Geek started as an audio-only podcast but morphed into a YouTube band featuring a revolving group of his friends and special guests, collectively known as the Band Geeks. The Band Geeks cover classic rock and pop
321:
in music production, he embarked began post-graduate studies under Dr. Ferry, while also working as a staff producer at Ferry's record label, Larchmont
Records. Castellano earned his master's degree in music from the SUNY Purchase Conservatory of Music in December 2002.
406:
In addition to performing with Blue Ă–yster Cult, he also plays guitar in the band
Morning Starlett with his ex-wife Ann Marie. Morning Starlett released an eponymous album in 2012. He frequently works with Andy Ascolese, and released an album of power pop titled
255:. The album was also acclaimed in EQ magazine for the unusual methods employed in its recording and production. He won a competition to write a song for his high school graduation. Castellano graduated from Curtis High School in 1998.
362:
retired from the band. At that time, Castellano filled the position of rhythm guitar and keyboards, while Danny
Miranda returned briefly to fill the position of bassist. By April 2007, the bass guitar position was filled by
284:, which was self-released on CD on July 9, 2001. During the summer of 2000, Castellano studied advanced digital recording techniques and audio engineering at Wave Studio in Staten Island, under the instruction of
789:
1391:
30:
251:, was surprisingly successful, selling out of its initial pressing within one month of its release. He won two songwriting awards for one of the songs from
710:
1255:
1103:
346:
In
December 2003, Castellano served as sound engineer on Blue Ă–yster Cult's 13 city tour of Germany. He first performed with Blue Ă–yster Cult as
1401:
1351:
877:
1406:
1366:
497:
358:
on
September 18, 2004, shortly after Danny Miranda left the band. He remained in that position until early 2007, when original member
1396:
1361:
264:
814:
458:. Chief among these are the Albert Lee Signature, Axis, Axis Super Sport, Silhouette Special, and Sterling models. He also uses
1356:
1371:
1411:
1156:
1277:
1195:
1022:
1386:
1181:
688:
790:"JON ANDERSON And THE BAND GEEKS Announce First Two Legs Of 2024 North American 'Yes Epics, Classics, And More' Tour"
203:
1163:
870:
527:
1381:
1272:
955:
432:
which led to
Anderson and the Band Geeks touring the US together in 2023 playing a set of classic Yes songs.
1096:
295:
640:
562:
739:
285:
280:
239:
234:
226:
1325:
863:
443:
featuring the Band Geeks. Richie
Castellano is credited as co-producer, engineer and mixer on the album.
237:, who became one of his most important mentors. In 1997, inspired in part by Thal's 1995 debut solo album
1209:
987:
435:
They are touring together again in 2024 and Jon
Anderson has also announced the release of a new album
1188:
1149:
1071:
233:
in Staten Island, where he joined the Curtis High School Guitar Ensemble. At that time, Castellano met
1043:
436:
289:
306:, were involved in a band, "Richie & the Pocketrockets". This band released one album, entitled
531:
384:
377:
215:
150:(born February 7, 1980) is an American musician and engineer. He is a current member of the band
1376:
1241:
1036:
390:
175:
in 1985. He began to study guitar at the age of seven. Among his early musical influences were
1029:
1248:
1117:
1110:
389:
1998: third place award in the "World of Expression" Scholarship Program competition of the
1346:
1135:
994:
318:
200:
764:
8:
455:
107:
886:
335:
151:
36:
1202:
1078:
230:
1008:
477:
272:
268:
84:
666:
1287:
1223:
1015:
960:
459:
351:
88:
69:
1302:
1001:
935:
618:
505:
440:
294:. That year, he also began his association with Blue Ă–yster Cult as a substitute
180:
206:
studio he had assembled in the basement of his house. Later influences included
1307:
1216:
467:
339:
275:
211:
192:
184:
589:
1340:
1064:
244:
176:
172:
267:
in 1998. He majored in Studio Production, studying the then-new practice of
1292:
1282:
1142:
970:
940:
930:
474:
429:
394:
359:
299:
219:
1297:
950:
945:
898:
644:
535:
311:
196:
188:
1050:
965:
905:
566:
452:
425:
364:
330:
207:
303:
80:
171:, New York City on February 7, 1980. The Castellano family moved to
1057:
855:
222:
as an important influence on the development of his musical style.
168:
65:
840:
845:
347:
498:"Blue Oyster Cult to play free show Saturday at Craig City Park"
850:
718:
463:
355:
815:"Jon Anderson announces he will release a new album in August"
383:
1998: first place award in the songwriting competition of the
133:
428:. This brought them to the attention of founding Yes singer
288:. Castellano assisted Thal with the production of his album,
667:"Bobby Rondinelli and Danny Miranda leave Blue Ă–yster Cult"
167:
A fifth generation musician, Richie Castellano was born in
565:. New York, NY: Extra Ordinary Productions. Archived from
473:
When playing bass with the Band Geeks, he primarily uses
263:
Castellano enrolled in the Conservatory of Music at the
258:
641:"Touch of Blue: The Blues Tribute to the Grateful Dead"
298:. Also around this time, he and one of his professors,
765:"Jon Anderson Announces 2023 Tour With the Band Geeks"
691:. Staten Island, NY: Castellano's House of Music. 2010
308:
Touch of Blue: The Blues Tribute to the Grateful Dead
225:
After spending his first semester of high school at
619:"Blue Ă–yster Cult Official Site: Richie Castellano"
525:
451:Castellano currently uses guitars manufactured by
199:, he began songwriting, as well as recording on a
587:
560:
424:songs, and have often featured songs by the band
325:
1338:
621:. New York, NY: Extra Ordinary Productions. 2010
1392:State University of New York at Purchase alumni
812:
871:
740:"The Band Geek Prog Rock Playlist! - YouTube"
495:
787:
556:
554:
552:
878:
864:
528:"Blue Oyster Cult Ready to Rock the Downs"
563:"Richie Castellano Official Website: Bio"
549:
370:
851:Band Geek with Richie Castellano Podcast
763:Rapp, Allison RappAllison (2022-10-07).
581:
519:
329:
265:State University of New York at Purchase
195:. By the early 1990s, influenced by the
162:
613:
611:
609:
607:
1339:
659:
489:
1402:21st-century American bass guitarists
859:
561:Richie Castellano (August 16, 2009).
259:College and graduate school:1998–2002
243:, Castellano recorded a 13-song solo
1352:American heavy metal bass guitarists
885:
813:Ewingpublished, Jerry (2024-05-08).
762:
604:
1157:St. Cecilia: The Elektra Recordings
841:Richie Castellano: official website
681:
633:
588:Richie Castellano (December 2004).
526:Tioga Downs Casino (May 27, 2010).
13:
1407:American people of Italian descent
1182:Cities on Flame with Rock and Roll
846:Blue Ă–yster Cult: official website
669:. New York, NY. September 14, 2004
271:. From 1999–2001, he produced and
14:
1423:
1367:Songwriters from New York (state)
834:
1397:Guitarists from New York (state)
1321:
1320:
29:
1362:American heavy metal guitarists
806:
781:
756:
732:
496:Nicole Inglis (June 18, 2010).
1164:The Essential Blue Ă–yster Cult
703:
326:Blue Öyster Cult: 2003–present
16:American musician and engineer
1:
1357:American male bass guitarists
1097:On Your Feet or on Your Knees
483:
418:
401:
397:Creative Writing Competition)
334:Richie Castellano, member of
218:. He also cites the music of
1256:Some OTHER Enchanted Evening
446:
240:The Adventures of Bumblefoot
229:, Castellano transferred to
227:Port Richmond, Staten Island
157:
7:
1210:Veteran of the Psychic Wars
899:Donald "Buck Dharma" Roeser
788:Blabbermouth (2024-03-05).
415:Beatles Abbey Road Medley.
367:on a semi-permanent basis.
338:, at a live performance in
98:Musician, singer-songwriter
35:Castellano performing with
10:
1428:
1412:Psychedelic rock musicians
1150:Workshop of the Telescopes
1072:Curse of the Hidden Mirror
1387:Curtis High School alumni
1316:
1265:
1233:
1173:
1127:
1088:
979:
893:
128:
124:
114:
102:
94:
76:
49:
44:
28:
21:
1372:Blue Ă–yster Cult members
385:Songwriters Hall of Fame
378:Berklee College of Music
302:-nominated producer Dr.
216:Emerson, Lake and Palmer
1382:Musicians from Brooklyn
1189:(Don't Fear) The Reaper
1044:The Revölution by Night
296:Front of House engineer
247:. This album, entitled
1104:Some Enchanted Evening
1037:Fire of Unknown Origin
391:Bertelsmann Foundation
371:Awards and recognition
343:
45:Background information
1111:Extraterrestrial Live
769:Ultimate Classic Rock
333:
235:Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal
163:Early years:1980–1998
106:Bass guitar, guitar,
995:Tyranny and Mutation
590:"Castellano, Richie"
314:on August 21, 2001.
253:Alone in My Basement
249:Alone in My Basement
1030:Cultösaurus Erectus
689:"Richie Castellano"
1249:A Long Day's Night
1118:A Long Day's Night
1079:The Symbol Remains
721:on 18 January 2013
569:on 1 February 2013
536:Tioga Downs Casino
439:in August 2024 on
393:(now known as the
344:
231:Curtis High School
1334:
1333:
1009:Agents of Fortune
918:Richie Castellano
532:Nichols, New York
502:Craig Daily Press
470:Wireless system.
319:bachelor's degree
317:Upon earning his
269:digital recording
148:Richie Castellano
142:
141:
23:Richie Castellano
1419:
1324:
1323:
1288:Michael Moorcock
988:Blue Ă–yster Cult
961:Bobby Rondinelli
887:Blue Ă–yster Cult
880:
873:
866:
857:
856:
829:
828:
826:
825:
810:
804:
803:
801:
800:
794:BLABBERMOUTH.NET
785:
779:
778:
776:
775:
760:
754:
753:
751:
750:
736:
730:
729:
727:
726:
717:. Archived from
707:
701:
700:
698:
696:
685:
679:
678:
676:
674:
663:
657:
656:
654:
652:
637:
631:
630:
628:
626:
615:
602:
601:
599:
597:
585:
579:
578:
576:
574:
558:
547:
546:
544:
542:
523:
517:
516:
514:
512:
493:
466:products and an
409:2 Part Invention
336:Blue Ă–yster Cult
278:'s debut album,
152:Blue Ă–yster Cult
138:
135:
134:richiecastellano
117:
89:psychedelic rock
63:
60:February 7, 1980
59:
57:
37:Blue Ă–yster Cult
33:
19:
18:
1427:
1426:
1422:
1421:
1420:
1418:
1417:
1416:
1337:
1336:
1335:
1330:
1312:
1303:Richard Meltzer
1261:
1229:
1203:Burnin' for You
1169:
1123:
1084:
1002:Secret Treaties
975:
936:Albert Bouchard
889:
884:
837:
832:
823:
821:
811:
807:
798:
796:
786:
782:
773:
771:
761:
757:
748:
746:
744:www.youtube.com
738:
737:
733:
724:
722:
709:
708:
704:
694:
692:
687:
686:
682:
672:
670:
665:
664:
660:
650:
648:
643:. Los Angeles:
639:
638:
634:
624:
622:
617:
616:
605:
595:
593:
592:. Discoogle.com
586:
582:
572:
570:
559:
550:
540:
538:
524:
520:
510:
508:
506:Craig, Colorado
494:
490:
486:
449:
441:Frontiers Music
421:
404:
373:
328:
261:
181:Jerry Lee Lewis
165:
160:
145:
132:
115:
64:
61:
55:
53:
40:
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1425:
1415:
1414:
1409:
1404:
1399:
1394:
1389:
1384:
1379:
1374:
1369:
1364:
1359:
1354:
1349:
1332:
1331:
1329:
1328:
1317:
1314:
1313:
1311:
1310:
1308:Sandy Pearlman
1305:
1300:
1295:
1290:
1285:
1280:
1275:
1269:
1267:
1263:
1262:
1260:
1259:
1252:
1245:
1242:Black and Blue
1237:
1235:
1231:
1230:
1228:
1227:
1220:
1217:Shooting Shark
1213:
1206:
1199:
1192:
1185:
1177:
1175:
1171:
1170:
1168:
1167:
1160:
1153:
1146:
1139:
1131:
1129:
1125:
1124:
1122:
1121:
1114:
1107:
1100:
1092:
1090:
1086:
1085:
1083:
1082:
1075:
1068:
1061:
1054:
1047:
1040:
1033:
1026:
1019:
1012:
1005:
998:
991:
983:
981:
977:
976:
974:
973:
968:
963:
958:
953:
948:
943:
938:
933:
927:
926:
921:
914:
909:
902:
894:
891:
890:
883:
882:
875:
868:
860:
854:
853:
848:
843:
836:
835:External links
833:
831:
830:
805:
780:
755:
731:
702:
680:
658:
632:
603:
580:
548:
518:
487:
485:
482:
468:Audio-Technica
448:
445:
420:
417:
403:
400:
399:
398:
387:
381:
372:
369:
348:bass guitarist
342:, July 3, 2010
340:Baytown, Texas
327:
324:
276:Regina Spektor
260:
257:
193:Ritchie Valens
185:Little Richard
164:
161:
159:
156:
144:Musical artist
143:
140:
139:
130:
126:
125:
122:
121:
118:
112:
111:
104:
100:
99:
96:
92:
91:
78:
74:
73:
51:
47:
46:
42:
41:
34:
26:
25:
22:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1424:
1413:
1410:
1408:
1405:
1403:
1400:
1398:
1395:
1393:
1390:
1388:
1385:
1383:
1380:
1378:
1377:Living people
1375:
1373:
1370:
1368:
1365:
1363:
1360:
1358:
1355:
1353:
1350:
1348:
1345:
1344:
1342:
1327:
1319:
1318:
1315:
1309:
1306:
1304:
1301:
1299:
1296:
1294:
1291:
1289:
1286:
1284:
1281:
1279:
1276:
1274:
1271:
1270:
1268:
1264:
1258:
1257:
1253:
1251:
1250:
1246:
1244:
1243:
1239:
1238:
1236:
1232:
1225:
1221:
1218:
1214:
1211:
1207:
1204:
1200:
1197:
1193:
1190:
1186:
1183:
1179:
1178:
1176:
1172:
1166:
1165:
1161:
1159:
1158:
1154:
1152:
1151:
1147:
1145:
1144:
1140:
1138:
1137:
1133:
1132:
1130:
1126:
1120:
1119:
1115:
1113:
1112:
1108:
1106:
1105:
1101:
1099:
1098:
1094:
1093:
1091:
1087:
1081:
1080:
1076:
1074:
1073:
1069:
1067:
1066:
1065:Heaven Forbid
1062:
1060:
1059:
1055:
1053:
1052:
1048:
1046:
1045:
1041:
1039:
1038:
1034:
1032:
1031:
1027:
1025:
1024:
1020:
1018:
1017:
1013:
1011:
1010:
1006:
1004:
1003:
999:
997:
996:
992:
990:
989:
985:
984:
982:
980:Studio albums
978:
972:
969:
967:
964:
962:
959:
957:
954:
952:
949:
947:
944:
942:
939:
937:
934:
932:
929:
928:
925:
922:
920:
919:
915:
913:
912:Danny Miranda
910:
908:
907:
903:
901:
900:
896:
895:
892:
888:
881:
876:
874:
869:
867:
862:
861:
858:
852:
849:
847:
844:
842:
839:
838:
820:
816:
809:
795:
791:
784:
770:
766:
759:
745:
741:
735:
720:
716:
712:
706:
690:
684:
668:
662:
646:
642:
636:
620:
614:
612:
610:
608:
591:
584:
568:
564:
557:
555:
553:
537:
533:
529:
522:
507:
503:
499:
492:
488:
481:
479:
476:
471:
469:
465:
461:
457:
454:
444:
442:
438:
433:
431:
427:
416:
412:
410:
396:
392:
388:
386:
382:
380:soloist award
379:
375:
374:
368:
366:
361:
357:
353:
349:
341:
337:
332:
323:
320:
315:
313:
309:
305:
301:
297:
293:
292:
287:
283:
282:
277:
274:
270:
266:
256:
254:
250:
246:
245:concept album
242:
241:
236:
232:
228:
223:
221:
217:
213:
209:
205:
202:
198:
194:
190:
186:
182:
178:
177:Elvis Presley
174:
173:Staten Island
170:
155:
153:
149:
137:
131:
127:
123:
119:
113:
109:
105:
103:Instrument(s)
101:
97:
95:Occupation(s)
93:
90:
86:
82:
79:
75:
71:
67:
62:(age 44)
52:
48:
43:
38:
32:
27:
20:
1293:More Cowbell
1283:John Shirley
1254:
1247:
1240:
1162:
1155:
1148:
1143:Cult Classic
1141:
1136:Bad Channels
1134:
1128:Other albums
1116:
1109:
1102:
1095:
1077:
1070:
1063:
1056:
1049:
1042:
1035:
1028:
1021:
1014:
1007:
1000:
993:
986:
971:Kasim Sulton
941:Joe Bouchard
931:Allen Lanier
924:Jules Radino
923:
917:
916:
911:
904:
897:
822:. Retrieved
818:
808:
797:. Retrieved
793:
783:
772:. Retrieved
768:
758:
747:. Retrieved
743:
734:
723:. Retrieved
719:the original
715:riotcast.com
714:
705:
693:. Retrieved
683:
671:. Retrieved
661:
649:. Retrieved
635:
623:. Retrieved
594:. Retrieved
583:
571:. Retrieved
567:the original
539:. Retrieved
521:
509:. Retrieved
501:
491:
475:Rickenbacker
472:
450:
434:
430:Jon Anderson
422:
413:
408:
405:
395:Random House
360:Allen Lanier
345:
316:
307:
300:Grammy Award
290:
279:
262:
252:
248:
238:
224:
204:reel-to-reel
166:
147:
146:
120:2003–present
116:Years active
1347:1980 births
1298:Patti Smith
1273:Discography
1089:Live albums
951:John Miceli
946:Chuck Burgi
711:"Band Geek"
645:CMH Records
312:CMH Records
189:Buddy Holly
85:heavy metal
1341:Categories
1051:Club Ninja
966:Rudy Sarzo
956:Greg Smith
906:Eric Bloom
824:2024-05-09
799:2024-05-09
774:2024-05-09
749:2024-05-09
725:2017-01-31
484:References
462:Helix and
453:Ernie Ball
419:Band Geeks
402:Other work
365:Rudy Sarzo
273:engineered
56:1980-02-07
1224:Astronomy
456:Music Man
447:Equipment
411:in 2005.
352:Las Vegas
304:Joe Ferry
158:Biography
108:keyboards
81:Hard rock
1326:Category
1196:Godzilla
1058:Imaginos
1016:Spectres
695:July 10,
480:basses.
286:Ron Thal
201:16-track
169:Brooklyn
110:, vocals
70:New York
66:Brooklyn
39:in 2016.
1278:Members
1266:Related
1023:Mirrors
673:July 5,
651:July 5,
625:July 5,
596:July 5,
573:July 5,
541:July 5,
511:July 5,
212:Genesis
197:Beatles
129:Website
1234:Videos
819:louder
647:. 2010
464:Variax
460:Line 6
376:1996:
356:Nevada
291:Uncool
214:, and
191:, and
77:Genres
1174:Songs
310:, on
281:11:11
220:Queen
697:2010
675:2010
653:2010
627:2010
598:2010
575:2010
543:2010
513:2010
478:4001
437:True
136:.com
72:, US
50:Born
426:Yes
350:in
208:Yes
1343::
817:.
792:.
767:.
742:.
713:.
606:^
551:^
534::
530:.
504:.
500:.
354:,
210:,
187:,
183:,
179:,
154:.
87:,
83:,
68:,
58:)
1226:"
1222:"
1219:"
1215:"
1212:"
1208:"
1205:"
1201:"
1198:"
1194:"
1191:"
1187:"
1184:"
1180:"
879:e
872:t
865:v
827:.
802:.
777:.
752:.
728:.
699:.
677:.
655:.
629:.
600:.
577:.
545:.
515:.
54:(
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.
