Band Biography

The beginnings of Rocky & His Friends can be traced to late 1980 when Pete Coccorese, Randy Carone and Rocky Farrell, along with drummer Tim Neher, formed The Trouble Boys, following the breakup of Central Jersey bands Easy Odds, Freeway and Back Street Angel. At some point along the way they were joined by Vinnie Romano on keys (Jersey rockers “Double Shots”). Back then they were a full rock and roll band burning up venues like The Hanger in Manville, John and Peter’s in New Hope, The Pattenburg Tavern, and other places around NJ and PA.

By the late ’90s things had slowed down a bit and the boys began playing as a simple trio: Randy handled vocals and guitar, playing one of his Collings guitars and switching to his National Steel for some scorching slide work, Pete shared vocal duties and played acoustic guitar, throwing in an electric twelve string or his trusty old Strat as needed, while Rocky held down the bottom with one of his two Fender basses.


In 2009 talented drummer/percussionist Mike Ratti joined the band on drums. Mike is a long time veteran of the NY/NJ music scene and has had quite a career in the music business, touring and recording with Jay Black and the Americans (along with Walter Becker and Donald Fagan of Steely Dan), Rex, The Nails and Orville Davis—just to name a few.