TALAS singer Phil Naro has passed away after a battle with tongue cancer. He was 63 years old.
The news of Naro’s death was broken by his family earlier today. They said in a statement: “It is with great sadness that we must announce the passing of our son, father, friend and musician Phillip Sampognaro, known professionally as Phil Naro.
“Phil fought a valiant battle against cancer over the last few years but left this earth last night surrounded by his family and closest friends. A citizen of both the United States and Canada, he died at his home in Rochester. Funeral arrangements and tributes will be announced shortly. He is survived by sons James and John; brother Joseph; and his mother, Maria, who he loved dearly.
“Phil was one of those rare individuals known as a ‘singer’s singer.’ A staple of both the Canadian and U.S. music scene, Phil had become a mainstay in venues ranging from clubs to large performing arts centers and massive arenas. He had just completed the debut album from the band LIPS TURN BLUE (formerly D DRIVE) which had secured a worldwide record deal, and a reunion album with Billy Sheehan and TALAS, of which he was a member in the 1980s. Phil had successfully balanced an in-demand solo career with a number of high-profile projects with other superstar musicians from bands such as THE RASCALS, VANILLA FUDGE, WHITESNAKE, YES, ASIA, and guitarist Ron Thal (ex-GUNS N’ ROSES) as a member of THE PLATINUM ROCK ALL STARS. Phil was capable of an extraordinary number of music styles all built around his unmistakably powerful voice. Fortunately, Phil left us with an extraordinary amount of recorded music, which will allow his artistic legacy to live on forever.”
Last year, Naro reunited with bassist Billy Sheehan to record a new TALAS album, which is tentatively due before the end of 2021. “I managed to finish recording before I started my treatments,” Phil told iHeartRadio.ca . “It was painful at times to sing, but I managed to finish.”
A GoFundMe campaign was also launched “to help reduce some of this burden away from Phil during this incredibly arduous journey.” More than $25,000 was raised before the fundraiser stopped accepting donations.
We’ll miss you Phil. An incredible vocalist and human being.