Rick Baccare
The Voice, The Tradition, The South Philly Spirit
Born and raised in South Philadelphia to Italian-American parents, vocalist Rick Baccare has spent over 33 years honoring the golden era of American song.
His lifelong romance with music began in childhood when his Aunt Lucy gifted his family a record player along with a stack of 45-rpm vinyl. Dropping the needle on those records ignited a spark that never faded. Rick was drawn to the swagger, phrasing, and charisma of legends like Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, and fellow South Philly native Bobby Rydell. From 1980 to 1983, his musical roots deepened as he performed across the local circuit with the Top 40 group Champion, holding down the groove on bass guitar while delivering lead vocals—an experience that honed his keen sense of rhythm and stage command.
Over decades of dedicated study, Rick developed a profound appreciation for the classical Italian art of bel canto singing, mastering the vocal mechanics, breath control, and resonance that give timeless music its emotional weight. A true bari-tenor, his voice blends the warm, resonant richness of a baritone with the ringing, expressive heights of a tenor. This technical discipline, paired with an extensive personal collection of vintage jazz crooners and opera greats—holding the highest reverence for the magnificent voice of Mario Lanza—shapes his distinctive sound.
Throughout his 33-year career, Rick has brought his dynamic voice to stages and special occasions of every kind. Among his most cherished milestones was the honor of singing alongside two of South Philadelphia’s greatest musical icons: Frankie Avalon and Bobby Rydell. For local audiences, Rick became an enduring neighborhood favorite, holding legendary long-term residencies including 13 years entertaining at Frederick’s Restaurant and 14 years at Stogie Joe’s Tavern in the heart of South Philly.
Beyond the microphone, Rick is a man of diverse passions and deep curiosity. A lifelong student of melody, he plays both the bass and the violin for personal enjoyment, finds peace and freedom riding horses, and holds a keen intellectual interest in the study of psychoanalysis—a fascination with human nature that naturally enriches his interpretive storytelling as a singer. Anchoring everything is family: happily married for over 40 years and the proud father of a son, and devoted companion and newest member of the household, a spirited Balinese cat named Jaz.
Today, Rick preserves his legacy through an extensive recorded catalog featuring eight distinct albums, each crafted with the authentic arrangements, vibrant energy, and timeless spirit of the music he has loved all his life. Welcome, have a listen, and enjoy the journey through an unforgettable era of sound.