rgilley

Ormond Beach, Florida, USA

Rich grew up on Long Island NY and came from a musical family. He started formal piano lessons at age seven. Billy Joel has had a strong influence on Rich’s writing ever since he saw him in concert and then briefly met him back stage at Gusman Hall in Miam 1977. This was the event that inspired Rich to become a song writer. Rich started writing songs while attending college and formed several rock bands to play some of his original songs at special University Alumni events and at “Billy Joel Night At The Rat.” The bands consisted of selected musicians from the School of Music jazz department. Rich quickly acquired the nickname “Gilley Joel.” After graduating from University Of Miami, Rich started out his professional musical career on keyboards and vocals. During this time he kept writing his original music, some of which was recorded in the Berklee College of music studio. After he retired from teaching in the public school he dedicated himself once again to writing original mu