Rick Vito

Guitarist/singer Rick Vito, originally from the Philadelphia area, replaced Fleetwood Mac’s lead guitarist, Lindsey Buckingham, in 1987 and stayed in the band for four years. His original songs can be heard on their albums “Behind the Mask,” “The Very Best of Fleetwood Mac” and “The Chain,” and he appeared in their concert film, “Tango in the Night.”

While he was pursuing a solo career, Vito and Mick Fleetwood formed the Mick Fleetwood Blues Band in 2008. Vito was nominated for the 2010 Grammy Award for their album, “Blue Again,” in the Best Traditional Blues category as artist and producer.

Vito has played slide and lead guitar on recordings and performances by many rock, blues and country artists, including Bonnie Raitt, Little Richard, Dolly Parton, John Prine, Stevie Nicks and many more.

He also received the famed W.C. Handy Award for Blues Song of the Year for “It’s Two A.M.,” performed by Shemekia Copeland. His songs have been heard in the TV shows “Without A Trace,” “Las Vegas,” “Thieves,” “HBO’s ‘Real’ Series,” “Everwood,” “Memphis Beat,” and “Blue Bloods.”

Since his debut album in 1992, “King of Hearts,” Vito has released 10 more, including “Soulshaker,” in 2019.

Vito, who attended Kutztown University in the late 1960s and early 1970s, signed with the Lancaster-based Blue Heart Records team of Sallie Bengston (Reading native) and Betsie Brown. Vito’s CD, Cadillac Man, will be released prior to his Berks Jazz Fest performance.

Purchase an individual ticket for this concert, OR purchase a Reading Blues Fest Day Package(opens in a new tab) and save over the cost of the individual concerts! The Saturday April 13th package includes: *Craig Thatcher & Friends: Eric Clapton Retrospective at 12:30 pm *Rick Vito at 4:30 pm *Danielle Nicole at 8 pm

Find the artist online: Rick Vito(opens in a new tab)