Marco Soccoli, the New York drummer who turned a love for music into a lifelong mission of supporting other musicians, passed away on April 12, 2025. He was 62 years old. His career spanned decades, but how he touched people’s lives made him unforgettable.
Marco Soccoli first gained attention in the late 1980s and early ’90s as the drummer for the NYC glam rock band ROXX. Long before it became common, he was experimenting with multi-pedal setups and electronic kits, pushing the boundaries of what a drummer could do. Those early days on stage were just the beginning of a lifetime dedicated to rhythm, community, and connection.
Leaving the stage behind didn’t mean leaving music. Marco Soccoli took his passion into the heart of the music retail world, working for iconic names like Manny’s Music, Sam Ash, Vic Firth, Evans Drumheads, and Drumkeyshop. At every stop, he did more than sell gear or manage artist relations: he built friendships. For drummers trying to find their footing, Marco was often the first person who believed in them. He offered advice, opened doors, and gave countless players their first real shot at an endorsement.
Industry events like NAMM and PASIC became unofficial Marco Soccoli reunions. You could find him in the middle of every crowd, arms open, stories flowing, always ready with a quick smile or an encouraging word. His passing triggered an immediate wave of tributes from some of the biggest names in drumming.
Todd Sucherman from Styx described him as “old school, full of stories, merriment, and boundless energy.” Jason Bittner recalled meeting him as a young musician and described Marco as a “force to be reckoned with,” one of the first innovators he ever saw using multiple pedals live. Bobby Jarzombek, who met Marco in the 1980s when ROXX opened for Riot, called him the “ultimate drummer’s friend.” John Macaluso credited him for helping him land early endorsements and remembered the wild BBQ gatherings at Marco’s Whitestone home, packed with laughter and drummers from across the city.
Companies like Ludwig Drums acknowledged his passing, calling Marco “a true advocate for artists.”
Born and raised in New York and a graduate of St. John’s University, Marco embodied the spirit of the city: gritty, funny, fiercely loyal. He wasn’t just part of the music scene; he was the scene. If you were a drummer in New York in the last thirty years, chances are you crossed paths with Marco, and chances are he made you feel like you mattered.
His loss leaves a deep silence. But his beat: steady, generous, and full of heart, carries on in every drummer he helped lift.