Nicky Hammerhead Pallotta was born John Scott Pallotta in Paterson, New Jersey in 1960, the son of New Jersey State Trooper J.P. and Mary Pallotta. He was called Scott and was later well known as drummer for the roots-rock combo, the Sharkskins, which he co-founded with guitarist/vocalist Phil Bono and keyboardist Louie Fontaine in the early nineteen-eighties.
Nicky spent his early years in the rolling hills of the northwest New Jersey suburbs, whiling away the hours behind a drumkit or on a dirt bike, often in the company of pal Phil "Bono" Lewis, his childhood friend recalls, "He probably had more raw energy than anyone I've ever known. He was turbocharged twenty-four hours a day. It was unreal."
At an early age, Nicky took to the drums as a way to convert his boundless energy into sonic perturbations. His father JP, a NJ State Trooper by day, led a working band in his off-duty hours playing Saxophone at weddings and casuals. From the age of 10 or 12, little Nicky would often join them, pounding out a rock 'n' roll backbeat behind JP's alto sax. Nicky's musical mentors at the time were drum teacher Muzzy Muzzoni, and his godfather Bill "Blaze" Lavorgna, drummer and musical director for Liza Minnelli.
By junior high school, Nicky and Phil Bono were playing in bands together, cutting their musical teeth on dances and school functions. Through high school they continued to develop their talents, playing under the moniker of Iguana Repose, or in school-sponsored ensembles. After graduation, the two attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where Nicky studied under the tutelage of Alan Dawson. He worked often with Ayers Percussion.
He traveled to Morocco and various parts of the world as a drummer in cruise ship bands for a few years often a jazz or Latino style.
He relocated to Wilmington North Carolina and began to train as an actor and a stuntman for DeLaurentis Productions. This lead to a later move to Los Angeles California and once again in close proximity to his lifelong good friend Phil "Bono" Lewis. It was here that his lost his life in a motorcycle accident.
His brief career as an actor and stuntman included stints in the films: In a Child's Name, Burning Vengeance and Hiding Out.
Brother to Darlene and Uncle to Scott,Nicky Taylor and Joey . He is sorely missed by many many friends.
Nicky spent his early years in the rolling hills of the northwest New Jersey suburbs, whiling away the hours behind a drumkit or on a dirt bike, often in the company of pal Phil "Bono" Lewis, his childhood friend recalls, "He probably had more raw energy than anyone I've ever known. He was turbocharged twenty-four hours a day. It was unreal."
At an early age, Nicky took to the drums as a way to convert his boundless energy into sonic perturbations. His father JP, a NJ State Trooper by day, led a working band in his off-duty hours playing Saxophone at weddings and casuals. From the age of 10 or 12, little Nicky would often join them, pounding out a rock 'n' roll backbeat behind JP's alto sax. Nicky's musical mentors at the time were drum teacher Muzzy Muzzoni, and his godfather Bill "Blaze" Lavorgna, drummer and musical director for Liza Minnelli.
By junior high school, Nicky and Phil Bono were playing in bands together, cutting their musical teeth on dances and school functions. Through high school they continued to develop their talents, playing under the moniker of Iguana Repose, or in school-sponsored ensembles. After graduation, the two attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where Nicky studied under the tutelage of Alan Dawson. He worked often with Ayers Percussion.
He traveled to Morocco and various parts of the world as a drummer in cruise ship bands for a few years often a jazz or Latino style.
He relocated to Wilmington North Carolina and began to train as an actor and a stuntman for DeLaurentis Productions. This lead to a later move to Los Angeles California and once again in close proximity to his lifelong good friend Phil "Bono" Lewis. It was here that his lost his life in a motorcycle accident.
His brief career as an actor and stuntman included stints in the films: In a Child's Name, Burning Vengeance and Hiding Out.
Brother to Darlene and Uncle to Scott,Nicky Taylor and Joey . He is sorely missed by many many friends.
Nicky Hammerhead Pallotta was born John Scott Pallotta in Paterson, New Jersey in 1960, the son of New Jersey State Trooper J.P. and Mary Pallotta. He was called Scott and was later well known as drummer for the roots-rock combo, the Sharkskins, which he co-founded with guitarist/vocalist Phil Bono and keyboardist Louie Fontaine in the early nineteen-eighties.
Nicky spent his early years in the rolling hills of the northwest New Jersey suburbs, whiling away the hours behind a drumkit or on a dirt bike, often in the company of pal Phil "Bono" Lewis, his childhood friend recalls, "He probably had more raw energy than anyone I've ever known. He was turbocharged twenty-four hours a day. It was unreal."
At an early age, Nicky took to the drums as a way to convert his boundless energy into sonic perturbations. His father JP, a NJ State Trooper by day, led a working band in his off-duty hours playing Saxophone at weddings and casuals. From the age of 10 or 12, little Nicky would often join them, pounding out a rock 'n' roll backbeat behind JP's alto sax. Nicky's musical mentors at the time were drum teacher Muzzy Muzzoni, and his godfather Bill "Blaze" Lavorgna, drummer and musical director for Liza Minnelli.
By junior high school, Nicky and Phil Bono were playing in bands together, cutting their musical teeth on dances and school functions. Through high school they continued to develop their talents, playing under the moniker of Iguana Repose, or in school-sponsored ensembles. After graduation, the two attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where Nicky studied under the tutelage of Alan Dawson. He worked often with Ayers Percussion.
He traveled to Morocco and various parts of the world as a drummer in cruise ship bands for a few years often a jazz or Latino style.
He relocated to Wilmington North Carolina and began to train as an actor and a stuntman for DeLaurentis Productions. This lead to a later move to Los Angeles California and once again in close proximity to his lifelong good friend Phil "Bono" Lewis. It was here that his lost his life in a motorcycle accident.
His brief career as an actor and stuntman included stints in the films: In a Child's Name, Burning Vengeance and Hiding Out.
Brother to Darlene and Uncle to Scott,Nicky Taylor and Joey . He is sorely missed by many many friends.
Nicky spent his early years in the rolling hills of the northwest New Jersey suburbs, whiling away the hours behind a drumkit or on a dirt bike, often in the company of pal Phil "Bono" Lewis, his childhood friend recalls, "He probably had more raw energy than anyone I've ever known. He was turbocharged twenty-four hours a day. It was unreal."
At an early age, Nicky took to the drums as a way to convert his boundless energy into sonic perturbations. His father JP, a NJ State Trooper by day, led a working band in his off-duty hours playing Saxophone at weddings and casuals. From the age of 10 or 12, little Nicky would often join them, pounding out a rock 'n' roll backbeat behind JP's alto sax. Nicky's musical mentors at the time were drum teacher Muzzy Muzzoni, and his godfather Bill "Blaze" Lavorgna, drummer and musical director for Liza Minnelli.
By junior high school, Nicky and Phil Bono were playing in bands together, cutting their musical teeth on dances and school functions. Through high school they continued to develop their talents, playing under the moniker of Iguana Repose, or in school-sponsored ensembles. After graduation, the two attended Berklee College of Music in Boston where Nicky studied under the tutelage of Alan Dawson. He worked often with Ayers Percussion.
He traveled to Morocco and various parts of the world as a drummer in cruise ship bands for a few years often a jazz or Latino style.
He relocated to Wilmington North Carolina and began to train as an actor and a stuntman for DeLaurentis Productions. This lead to a later move to Los Angeles California and once again in close proximity to his lifelong good friend Phil "Bono" Lewis. It was here that his lost his life in a motorcycle accident.
His brief career as an actor and stuntman included stints in the films: In a Child's Name, Burning Vengeance and Hiding Out.
Brother to Darlene and Uncle to Scott,Nicky Taylor and Joey . He is sorely missed by many many friends.
