Joe Rock
was born in the final two weeks of the year that saw the release of Bob
Dylan’s landmark
Highway 61 Revisited
album -- which included his
masterwork “Like A Rolling Stone”.
If you learn nothing else about Joe
this should tell you plenty already.
While growing
up on Long Island, New York, Joe shared a room with his older brother
George who exposed him to music beyond his years. His brothers
record collection included The
Beatles, Bob Dylan and too many others to
mention here.
As a young boy,
he was fascinated with his brother's records which he would listen to whenever his
brother wasn’t around. And, early on, Joe decided this is what he wanted to do.
Between
The Beatles recordings and
Elvis’ films, how could you want to be anything
but a rock singer?
By the time Joe
reached high school, his love for music was at a fevered pitch, but something
was missing. While working at a local convenience store Joe was
introduced to a man who would expose him to the music that would truly make
him become connected to the art of songwriting. The man, Willie
Kiernan
-- an
accomplished songwriter and performer himself -- told Joe about the music of
Tom Waits and, most of all,
Bruce
Springsteen.
Once Joe was
turned-on to the music of Bruce Springsteen, the doors were blown wide open.
Springsteen
poured his heart and soul into his songs in a way that Joe had
never heard before, and it is his music that is responsible for Joe's
decision to learn to play the guitar.
Joe began
playing and singing in cover bands doing the music of the above-mentioned artists, as well as
Tom
Petty, The
Eagles, The Rolling Stones plus
Rockabilly,
Blues and Southern
Rock. 
With each new
artist he discovered, Joe would learn about what influenced the songwriter
and how they, in turn, influenced other artists. As of result, Joe's
has developed a diverse and eclectic repertoire.
Joe's education in musical
history eventually caused him to travel throughout the country to see where it all
came from.
After many
years, Joe has settled back on Long Island where he is currently involved in
recording his debut CD “Semi-Autobiography”
-- a collection of 12 original tunes focusing on his life’s many experiences.
The CD features songs of many
different styles played by Joe and a revolving group of some of Long
Island's
best musicians. Joe has also been seen lately on many different
television shows performing the music to be released on the CD.
