Acclaimed rock vocalist Phil Naro passed away on Sunday, May 2, 2021 of throat cancer. He was 63.
Philip J. Sampognaro, better known as Phil Naro, was born in Rochester, New York (USA) on March 13, 1958. He started performing in local bands when he was just 15. After graduating from high school he moved to the Toronto area in Canada.
Although he was best known as the lead singer of hard rock band Talas, he also had a deep love for progressive rock.
In 2008, Naro and other Toronto-based talented musicians involved in Classic Albums Live, formed a superb progressive rock band Druckfarben. In 2011, they released their self-titled debut CD “Druckfarben”.
Phil also collaborated with ifsounds, a progressive rock art band from Italy.
Druckfarben released its first DVD, “Artifact” in 2013. “Artifact” documented Druckfarben’s first live concert of the debut album along with a documentary.
In 2014, Naro appeared at Progday as guest vocalist for Venezuelan band Backhand.
[headline image: Phil Naro in 2014 at Progday – Photo by Angel Romero]