Richie Onori and Gerry Gallagher, the head of SOLA Records and former Atlantic Records distributor, have formed a new record company—Onori Music—to feature the upcoming debut CDs of Richie Onori. Richie has two new releases as a solo artist slated for 2012. The first CD, set for release in early 2012, is called Days of Innocence, and the title track is a song whose lyrics reflect the simpler days of the birth of the new music – rock ‘n’ roll – that so many of us grew up with, and the fresh spirit of the sixties and seventies that reflected the changing times.

This 13-song collection boasts an all-star lineup backing Richie, including Dickie Sims (Eric Clapton keyboardist) and the Eagles‘ horn section. Other players on the CD are Teddy Andreadis (keys with Guns N’ Roses) and Joe Retta (from Sweet), to name only a few.

Richie believes music is a vehicle that can be used to communicate truth and awareness, as well as to promote change, which has been the case for many influential artists in our most recent history. The second CD, “Moment of Truth”, which will debut later in the year, evokes messages and visions that he believes are important to communicate. Inspired by the groups of the 60’s and 70’s whose messages helped to transform the world, Onori believes that artists can once again rise and help change the tide with songs of truth and relevancy.

Although Richie Onori is best known at the moment as the drummer for The Sweet, the iconic multi-platinum-selling 70′s glam-rock band whose hits include “Fox On The Run”, “Love Is Like Oxygen” and of course, “Ballroom Blitz” and whose unique combination of glitter, hard-hitting rock and harmony-infused pop paved the way for KISS, Motley Crüe, and Def Leppard, and was a major influence on the Eighties rock scene, there is much more to the Richie Onori experience.

Richie is an accomplished guitarist, vocalist, harmonica player and recording artist in his own right. Richie Onori and Gerry Gallagher, the head of SOLA Records and former Atlantic Records distributor, have agreed to form a new record company—Onori Music—to feature Richie’s upcoming debut CDs. They plan to release two full-length CDs in 2012, that emphasize different aspects of Richie’s vision, and several videos as well.

He has done what few other artists have done, which is to use his achievements in the music world as a springboard to business ventures that include his own successful line of guitar straps (Onori Guitar Straps), a fashion line, and Onori Entertainment, a company that is the exclusive US distributor for Albion Amplifiers, designed by the legendary Steve Grindrod, of Marshall Amplifier fame.

This ability to span multiple aspects of music and business – and succeed – is what sets him apart from the mainstream, and puts him in a league of his own. Richie is that rare mix of artist and entrepreneur, whose business experience serves to help him as a successful professional musician, and whose integrity as an artist brings depth, vision and meaning to his business enterprises.

Richie’s boundless energy, positivity, focus and commitment to bringing the best he has to every aspect of his life and work make him someone well worth watching for in 2012. For Richie Onori, the journey is just beginning, so hold on tight!

Check out the fantastic article: Richie Onori’s “Moment of Truth”.

Many thanks to Debra Stocker and Doug Deutsch.