- Born
- Height5′ 8″ (1.73 m)
- Born in Quito, Ecuador in 1966 to parents of Spanish/Italian ancestry. Emigrated to Washington Heights in New York City in 1968. Both parents encouraged their three children in every way, with an emphasis on the arts. Brother studied violin, and sister, the piano. Roland took art lessons. His Father Patricio, a Licensed Civil Engineer, was a devout opera lover who did not allow rock music in the household. Roland and his two siblings had to sneak into the house "Jesus Christ Superstar" and various Beatles records that friends would lend them.
Raised in New York City and central New Jersey. Graduated from Sayreville War Memorial High School in 1985. Four years later, graduated from Rutgers University (Rutgers College,New Brunswick)in 1989. Majored in English and Sociology.
Prior to going into show business, worked in family construction business as Human Resources Manager and after arguing with his beloved brother Fabrizio, left to work as a licensed Site Safety Manager on large New York City construction projects, hoping to work along side the blue collar working folks that other regional song writers made a career writing about.
First CD, "Todavia Nos Queremos" (2006), is entirely in Spanish. Follow up CD "First Kisses and Final Requests" (2007 features lyrics in English, Spanish, French and the ancient Latin.
Filmed "Whatever Happened to Roland Ruby - A Documdramedy featuring the Nine Selfish Acts of Nazzy the Nosey Kitty" with long time friend Norma Dunkelberger as the Pupeteer for Nazzy the cat.
Became mysteriously ill and despondent in early 2010, just prior to completing the book,lyrics and music for the musical "The Return of the Jersey Devil."- IMDb Mini Biography By: Saul Gold
- Gender / Gender identityMale
- Long grey hair
- Black hat
- Motorcycle enthusiast.
- Uncle of violinist Jasper Rogal.
- Fluent in Spanish, French and Italian. Lived in Paris in his early 20s.
- As a teenager, studied guitar under Billy Franks, original guitarist for Bonjovi. In addition to guitar, studied upright bass and piano.
- While casting for "Whatever Happened to Roland Ruby" discovered and promoted the careers of actors Brad Thomason, Kelly Danger, Amanda Romeo and stand up comic Chris Calogero.
- I don't have children, but my music will live on. And if it doesn't, it won't be my loss.
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