Like B.B. King’s string bends, Chuck Berry’s two-note chords, and Larry Graham’s thumb slaps, Francis “Rocco” Prestia’s groove-defining use of muted 16th-notes became an instantly recognizable fingerboard innovation that remained a soul-soothing constant in a fast-changing world.
Forged in the iconic R&B horn band Tower Of Power, the magic and mystery of Prestia’s playing – and how he’s able to fit so many notes seamlessly into the pocket– remained 50 years on when we did this interview in July 2018.
