b. Richard Vince Di Cicco, 16th January 1930, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
d. 15th December 2020, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Richie Rome is a highly talented arranger and producer.
Born in Philadelphia, Richie established himself on the local soul scene during the '60s, one of his early arrangements being a medley of 'Green Apples' and 'Something' for The O'Jays on their Neptune album 'The O'Jays In Philadelphia'.
Earlier, in 1958, Richie released the single 'Bluebirds Of Happiness' b/w 'Leaf Of the Wind', under the name, Richard Rome for the Swan Records imprint.
ritchie family (Cassandra Wooten, Cheryl Mason-Dorman and Gwendolyn Wesley)
In the early 70's he put together a group, The Ritchie Family, with three female backing singers (Cassandra Wooten, Cheryl Mason-Dorman and Gwendolyn Wesley) he had worked with at Sigma Sound Studios.
Also at Sigma he arranged 'Nights Over Egypt' for The Jones Girls and produced 'Fallin 'ln Love With You' for Jimmy Ruffin.
He co-wrote 'Giving It Back' for Phill Hurtt (who, in turn, wrote The Ritchie Family's 'Best Disco In Town') and 'Disco Dancing' for the late Stanley Turrentine.
deep - 1980
deep (1980)
walk with me - richie family (1982)
In 1980, Richie released his only solo album to date, entitled 'Deep', for the Elektra Records imprint.
Richie was, also, the arranger on the Fat Larry's Band album 'Breakin' Out', which contained the tunes 'Act Like You Know' and the chart topper 'Zoom'.
In recent months, Richie's health faded, and he passed away in December 2020, at the age of 90.
Albums:
Deep (Elektra Records 1980)
