Paul Passarelli Death – Paul Passarelli, the lead singer for Michael Wilton and Chris DeGarmo’s first band Joker has passed away tragically. Flight To Mars Band musician Paul Passarelli was announced dead on Thursday, the 25th of Mat 2023. He died at the age of 61 after he suffered from a heart attack. Paul was a remarkable singer, songwriter and performer. Paul was a fan of rock music and continued singing and performing for the love of music as well as the camaraderie and friendships he cultivated with so many.
In 2004, Paul was invited to be the singer for Flight To Mars, a pet project that performed at an annual charity concert for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America. This annual show ran for 15 years and included a 7-date West Coast tour in 2012. Soon after, Passarelli was invited to sing in the Seattle band Palooka, with whom he did some of the best vocals of his career.
Who was Paul Passarelli?
Passarelli and Wilton started the band in 1978, adding Chris DeGarmo a year later. The 1979 Lake Hills Battle of the Bands featured Ridge with future Fifth Angel drummer Ken Mary and Tyrant with future Geffen Recording Artist Adam Bomb on guitar. Joker competed. Jeff Tate, later known as Geoff Tate of Queensryche, was a new singer in Tryant. Joker was asked back for the finale to open for Ridge vs Tyrant, which Ridge won.
Passarelli’s teenage idol was Van Halen’s David Lee Roth, whom he saw more than 10 times in concert in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver. Paul copied Roth’s striped pants from Van Halen’s first two albums. Wilton and DeGarmo formed Queensryche with Geoff Tate the year after Joker broke up, motivated by Iron Maiden and British heavy metal. Paul Passarelli moved his family to L.A.
Passarelli originally saw Motley Crue in bars and bought their first indie LP Too Fast For Love before they were famous beyond Southern California. Passarelli returned to Seattle and promoted Motley Crue to build a similar band and culture. Lipstick opened for Lita Ford, Randy Hansen, TKO, and RAIL in 1982.
Lipstick opened the 1984 Northwest Metalfest collection LP with Metal Church, Alice In Chains, and Fifth Angel members. In 1984, KISW played DaIly Grind. The Rocket compared Lipstick to Motley Crue and KISS. Taime Down of Faster Pussycat’s first band, The Bondage Boys, and Mike McCready of Pearl Jam’s first band, Shadow, opened for Lipstick. Paul moved to L.A., where glam rock was booming after Arista Records expressed interest.
An obituary is not available at this time for Paul Passarelli.
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