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ENRICO (RICO) ROSENBAUM'S BIOGRAPHY

BMI list of Rico's songs: Songlist

On September 10th, 1979, the world lost a great music talent. An exceptional singer and wonderful songwriter, he is missed even today by his many fans.
He was by far the principal songwriter of Gypsy's first four albums. He was born in 1944 in Italy. He was 36 when he passed away.

Following is taken (Thanks Zip!) off the "Litter" site about Rico:
It was the same year "The Beatles" took the world by storm and Caplan and Butwin decided to take advantage of this new music. Joined by the late Rico Rosenbaum (who went on to bigger things in "The Underbeats", later turned "Gypsy") they wore wigs, Beatle boots, and English style clothes, called themselves "The Escapades" and played their first gig New Year's Eve 1964-65 at the St. Paul Auditorium as the opening act for Chuck Berry.
        The dream lasted for a while as the Twin Cities audiences naturally assumed the group was from England. Caplan and Butwin kept the illusion alive for almost a year by making sure the band never mingled with the crowd, not only assuring them that no one would pull off the wigs, but keeping them elusive added to the mystique. It was this experience that gave Tom his first lesson in hype and marketing (used very effectively later in promoting "White Lightning"). When Rico left to join "The Underbeats" the ride was over. Not wishing to try and replace Rico, "The Escapades" ended.

        I have heard numerous times that Rico was Gypsy. Unfair to the other members, in my opinion, but it underscores the importance of Rico to this band. One thing for sure, the sound would have been much different without him. Do you really think any of the four albums would sound as good as they did without Rico?
I want to repeat what Zip said about him "I wish Rico was alive today to see the renewed interest in Gypsy". Amen.

Interesting note: Randy Cates told me that, during his tenure, Rico did ALL the rhythm guitar parts for Gypsy. Rico would bring chord changes and lyrics and the band would work from there.

Rico Rosenbaum wrote the bulk of the tunes and the appeal of the album is his very unselfconscious lyrical appreciation of the human voice, laced with the group's highest art and trademark: unique and talented harmonies. Few singers have approached Rico's clear and vulnerable voice; he's a white man singing Native American plains songs. He manages to lick the words.
Virginia Borene, Trax Magazine.

Above Rico biography dedicated to Steve Kromraj & Ida Rosenbaum (Rico's mom).
Without Ida's son, there would be no Gypsy, as we know it. Steve K. is, by far, the biggest Rico fan I ever met.

Rico's early group, The Escapades

IDA ROSENBAUM & DAVE MUELLER 3/4/00

Rico at play

Jim Johnson., Steve Kromraj, & Owl at Mississippi Nights, St Louis, July 9, 1999.

Steve Kromraj is a big booster of this website, a huge fan of Gypsy, & loves Rico's talent. He lives near St Louis.

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