Chris Risola
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Chris Risola (b. 30th June, Darien, Connecticut) was the lead guitarist for the rock band Steelheart, sometimes mis-credited as Chris Rizola. Chris Risola played on the first two Steelheart albums, Steelheart and Tangled In Reins. His solos focused on speed, tapping and harmonies with Frank DiConstanzo. Post-Steelheart, Chris set up his own guitar studio, which he still owns. He joined Steelheart on their 2006 "Just A Taste" tour.
Chris grew up in the same town as Moby. According to an interview with Moby, Moby states "my first guitar teacher was Chris Risola, who “was obsessed with heavy metal, free jazz and music theory,” remembered MOBY, “so he taught me all of the above. Then I discovered punk rock and he was sorely disappointed that I liked songs that didn’t have 37 chord variations.”
Born June 30th, 1958...First began playing guitar at age 11, growing up in Darien Ct. At first learning from Hendrix albums by picking up the needle from a cheap phonograph after hearing a few notes, he learned the basics from the best! During middle school and high school he joined or created numerous bands, "Bagshaw","Dirt Road", to name a few. After High school, he wanted to learn musical theory, so he began to take lessons from local jazz great Linc Chamberlain. Learning from this man provided Chris with all the ammo he needed to perfect his style and craft to near perfection.
Through years and countless hours of playing live at numerous honky tonks and bars, his chops were honed and refined to precision. To create a new lineup for his then current band, He needed a new singer. A young lusty lunged rock singer, Mike Matijevic was auditioned....no further auditions were needed. Mike,now known as Mili, Matijevic was in. The result was RED ALERT, born in late 1981. Over the next nine years, playing practically every club in southern New England, they were becoming well known for their showmanship, and instrumental prowess. A few line up changes, John Fowler on drums, and Frank DiCostanzo , guitar, were added, and STEELHEART was the result. In late 1989 they signed with MCA, flew to LA to record the first of 2 albums.... Chris and the boys, through the great efforts of Mili Matijevic, are now back together, with Chris and Mili the only original members, being joined by T-Bone as a second guitarist, Mike on Drums, and road tested Rev Jones on Bass. Chris is well known as a guitar virtuoso not only to fans, but to other great guitarist who know what talent is. Residing in Boca Raton , Florida, Chris has been teaching guitar and music theory to many up and coming, as well as established guitarist, for many years.
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Nine Mili
