About

The whole story.

Rocco Guarino is a record producer based in Nashville, TN. He’s also a songwriter, video director, and photographer. He received an RIAA 2× Platinum award for his work with Velvet Revolver, the rock supergroup featuring Slash, Duff, and Matt of Guns N’ Roses, and Scott Weiland from Stone Temple Pilots.

In the studio, Rocco has worked with Elton John, Billy Corgan, Juliette Lewis, and members of Weezer, Pearl Jam, The Cult, and many others, including two American Idol finalists.

He has directed videos with legends such as Stevie Wonder, Bono, Brian Wilson, and Steven Tyler, and been hired by designer John Varvatos, songwriter Diane Warren, Cherie Currie of The Runaways, and legendary photographer Jim Marshall. Doing sound and video, he’s toured with Velvet Revolver, Stone Temple Pilots, Diane Warren, Billy Bob Thornton, and others.

As a songwriter, Rocco’s songs can be heard on NBC, ABC, Comedy Central, Hulu, Netflix, HBO, and many international networks, used for feature films and shows. As a photographer, his work has been featured in Billboard, Rolling Stone, SPIN, Bass Player, Penthouse (the music section ;-), and E! Magazine — and used for retail packaging, album art, posters, and outdoor billboard campaigns in NY and LA.

  • RIAA 2× Platinum — Velvet Revolver
  • Billboard #1 debut & a Grammy — documented with VR
  • #9 on VH-1 — first music video directed
  • Founder, Starlite Records — est. 2021
  • Fonogenic Studios — A&R & Chief Engineer
  • The Recording Academy — voting member
The Journey

From a 4-track in Hudson Valley.

Rocco’s journey begins in Hudson Valley, NY, where at fifteen he was recording his band’s demos on a 4-track. These tapes got around, which led to local bands hiring him — and from there the fire for music production was lit. The ’90s found him in Tampa Bay, FL, diving deep into songwriting.

Rocco then made the move to Los Angeles, where he was the official documentarian for Velvet Revolver for the life of the band. Through a Billboard #1 debut, a double-platinum album, world tours, and a Grammy, Rocco was there shooting it all. For their second album, VR hired Rocco to direct his first music video, which reached #9 on VH-1 — launching a directing career that led to work with some of the biggest names in entertainment. He was nominated as Best Director for his first short film and wrote two feature-length screenplays, balancing music and film production throughout the ’00s.

Obsessed with recording studios, Rocco has worked at some of the best, from boutique rooms to world-class facilities. Matt Sorum’s studio in West Hollywood was home for a while, as was Gilby Clarke’s place in the Hollywood Hills. Rocco and Scott Weiland had a recording studio in Burbank, and were launching their label when Scott passed away. Rocco then partnered with Rami Jaffee of Foo Fighters to serve as A&R and Chief Engineer of Fonogenic Studios and label.

In 2021, Rocco founded Starlite Records — a label where stale formulas don’t exist. Starlite focuses on rock, americana, indie, and alternative, with a diverse roster including a film composer from LA, a cumbia band from Austin, and a folk act from Spain.

Rocco’s passion for keeping the arts accessible led him to work with the non-profit Adopt The Arts, and his love of animals inspires his work with Animals Asia. He’s obsessed with dogs (over 50 lbs), likes pineapple fried rice, and is a voting member of The Recording Academy (The Grammys).

Let’s make something Hear the records