Biography

Born on July 4, 1953 in New Castle in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. The handsome dark haired and mustachioed Joey Argiro was one of R&B/Soul singer-guitarist Sputzy Sparacino's popular Bassists from 1976-2001. He first started out playing bass guitar for Sputzy's band Four Coins in Las Vegas, Tahoe, and Reno, Nevada from 1976-1978. The band also included Bo Wagner on lead vocals, Sputzy Sparacino, Ernie Pontiere (who would then sing and play as Sputzy's trombonist, percussionist, and third keyboardist in Gigolo back in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Then sing in the American Male Pop music vocal trio, The Lettermen and then finally sing lead vocals and play trombone in We Three) and Matt Welch on vocals, Greg Macaluso on keyboards, Gary Allen on trumpet, John Thompson on trombone and vocals and Tony Macaluso on drums and percussions.

Then after Four Coins, Joey would then leave to join his best friend and long time band mate Sputzy and play bass in his popular Pittsburgh R&B/Dance/Disco/Cover band, Gigolo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1982. The band played from 1982 till 1990.The other members of Gigolo included Ray DeLisio (who also was known for being the keyboardist of TLC and The Allnight Rhythm Band. And who is now known for being the lead singer-keyboardist of Casanova) on keyboards, Armand De Genova (who also played keyboards for The Parker Bros. And who has also been known for playing piano and keyboard for Larry Coryell, Emily Remler. Richard Groove Holmes, the late legendary Mary Wells, Peter Noone the lead singer of Herman's Hermits, the late legendary organist and pianist Gene Ludwig of The Vogues, The Jive Five, and Don & Juan. And who was then known for being the keyboardist and bassist of Sound Check) on co-keyboards, Ernie Pontiere on trombone, percussions, keyboards and co-lead vocals, Tony Sgro (who was also Gigolo's sound engineer) on keyboards and drum programming [DMX Drum Machine] and Larry McClusky on drums and percussions (who was also known for playing drums for Jazz singer-guitarist George Benson). Then after Larry's departure from Gigolo in 1983, he was replaced by Ron Orrico (who then played drums and percussions for The All Night Rhythm Band. And who is now known for being the drummer and percussionist of Casanova). Then in 1984 Mark Matteo would come in to join the band as the new lead singer and lead guitarist after Sputzy had left to join the other popular local R&B/Dance/Cover band Modern Man from 1984-1991 while Gary Carolla would come in to take Armand De Genova's place as the new co-keyboardist.

Then in 1988, Joey would come in to take Tommy Bellin's place as the new bassist of Modern Man. While Mark Matteo came in to take Buddy Hall's place as the new lead guitarist and Gary Carolla came in to take Jim Blazer's place as the new co-keyboardist. The band released two albums and they had national dance chart success.

Joey later played mute guitar for the talented singer-musician and filmmaker John Harrison's Tales from the Darkside: The Movie (1990) horror movie soundtrack.

After Modern Man had disbanded in 1991, Joey then would join Sputzy Sparacino in his new R&B/Dance/Cover band, Sputzy & The Soul Providers in 1991. And at the same time, he would play bass for one of Sputzy's renditions of The Buckinghams's "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy" and Aretha Franklin's "See Saw" on his solo artist album "Too Much Too Soon" on August 17, 1994.

Then years before his death, he also performed and produced music with Grand Funk Railroad, Nation bands, *NSYNC, Aaron Carter, Let's Be Frank (Frank Sinatra Tribute band with Bo Wagner on lead vocals), Walt Maddox of The Marcels and produced music for his children's programs. And he would play bass for Aaron Carter on his album "Aaron's Party: Come Get It" (2000).

He died of cancer on Sunday, May 20, 2007 in New Castle in Lawrence County, Pennsylvania. And was buried in Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cemetery.

- IMDb mini biography by: Alex Feltch