Rich Roger was born in West Islip, NY, to a musically enriched family. Growing up, music was played daily from his Mothers classical records, setting the stage for Rich to begin playing piano at the age of four.
At the tender age of thirteen, the guitar became an obsession, leading to countless all-night sleepless sessions of practicing and studying. Eventually it paid with increased dexterity and competence to play note for note with the best. His earliest influences were by the guitar virtuosos at the time of Yngwie Malmsteen, Steve Vai, Marty Friedman, Jason Becker and George Lynch and Progressive rock bands like Yes, Rush, The Police and Savatage. To Rich, the guitarists and bands mentioned stood out from the rest. Religiously for the next five years, he studied various styles, musical cultures, players and techniques, working hard to "innovate" his own playing and writing style and not "imitate" anyone else's.
After high school, Rich set out towards the NYC music scene to find his place in the music world. He was quick to land auditions, find session work, and snag a teaching job. Various opportunities would sprout up across coast to coast, giving him the chance to have music airplay and interviews on the radio. He studied music at Southern Connecticut State University. At the same time studying Blues, Latin and Jazz Fusion, gaining a lot more knowledge of various music styles.
His touring and studio sessions work has ranged from Contemporary Pop, Rock, Country and Heavy Metal. After primarily playing in Rock bands, Rich took time out to finish his first instrumental album titled "Fire in the Rain" Released in August 2004, musically much different than any previous efforts, a melodic rock instrumental album released worldwide. The release was followed by performances in Japan and a European Festival tour in 2005, met with ravenous reviews.
September 2008 found the release of a long and overdo instrumental CD (The Remnant Remains) that was quoted by 20th Century Guitar Magazine as one of the top instrumental Rock releases of 2008.
Rich has over 15 years or professional performing and teaching experience with a total of 70+ students per week and is very active in guitar clinics, primarily at Sam Ash Music Stores nationwide for his endorsements.
Rich works with ESP guitars, endorses S.I.T Strings, Dimarzio pickups, cables and straps, Morley Pedals, Voodoo Lab products, Levy’s Leathers & Pedal Train pedal boards.
Currently he is finishing a new solo record due out late 2009, a Clinic / Instructional DVD and a new Progressive Metal band project to be announced soon.
He also works with various charity organizations, such as the Humane Society, ASPCA, and Make a Wish Foundation.
