The son of an R.A.F. jet fighter pilot, Stuart Smith was born in York, England and has been playing guitar professionally since he was 17 years old. 

Originally classically trained from 7 years old and further taught by Ritchie Blackmore, guitarist of Deep Purple, he went on to play with Sidewinder, French Kiss, Sweet, Keith Emerson, (E.L.P.), and Joe Lynn Turner (Rainbow) amongst many others.  In 1999 he released his first solo album on the Samsung label entitled “Stuart Smith's Heaven & Earth” which was produced by Pat Regan and Howard Leese, (Heart/Paul Rodgers) and featured such guest artists as Richie Sambora, (Bon Jovi), Joe Lynn Turner, (Rainbow), Glenn Hughes, (Deep Purple) Kelly Hansen, (Hurricane), Steve Priest, (Sweet) and Carmine Appice, (Vanilla Fudge).  This CD was further licensed and distributed in Europe by Frontiers Records and Pony Canyon in Japan.

After the success of this CD, he formed a solid musical partnership with long time friend and drummer Richie Onori and together they built The Wine Cellar Studios in Woodland Hills, California.  At this point Stuart dropped his name from the project and at The Wine Cellar Studios they recorded  the next Heaven & Earth CD entitled “Windows to the World”, which was produced by Howard Leese and featured Kelly Keeling, (Baton Rouge/Blue Murder) on vocals.  The band toured to support this CD and then after a break Richie and Stuart along with partners Skip McCracken and George and Tina Altuzarra, formed their own record Label, “Black Star Records” on which the new Heaven & Earth CD entitled “Screaming for Redemption” featuring guest vocalist Paul Shortino, (Ruff Cutt) will be released later this year.

Of the many styles that Richie has played, one of his favorites has always been hard rock. Growing up with Cream, Hendrix and Deep Purple it was only destiny that he should meet up in the early 90’s with English axeman Stuart Smith, the virtuoso guitarist/founder of Heaven & Earth. Upon jamming together at a local watering hole, Captain’s Cavern in LA, which attracted many a rock celebrity who often came in to jam, their association was born. This produced a musical and professional relationship between the pair for many years to come. After their initial jam together, Stuart asked Richie if he would join him in some live dates in Chicago with singer front man Joe Lynn Turner of Rainbow and Deep Purple fame. The mini tour was a huge success and started a series of events between the two that led them to the formation and success of Heaven & Earth.

As both musicians went off and did their own individual projects they always came back, realizing the chemistry was nothing to take for granted. One night at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, Stuart and Richie bumped into Keith Emerson which resulted in the formation of Aliens Of Extraordinary Ability featuring the famed keyboardist.

Playing with the keyboard wizard was not a problem for Richie, as in his earlier career as a teenager in 1975, he was part of a popular LA progressive rock band—Satyr—which featured multi-keyboardist Pat Regan and Chuck Wright (Giffria, Quiet Riot). The group attracted a huge following in Southern California, eventually touring with such superstars as Alice Cooper and opening for supergroup Aerosmith.  The association in this earlier group would alter the course and future for Richie and Stuart in regards to Heaven & Earth, as it was Richie who introduced Stuart to Pat Regan, Satyr’s keyboard player who became a well known rock producer. This connection landed Stuart his first solo record deal which led to the classic Stuart Smith “Heaven & Earth”.

Richie of course played drums on the majority of the tracks along with drummers Carmine Appice and Jay Shellen. They continued to play numerous shows and recorded demo’s together as a precursor to legally partnering for the follow up record “Windows To The World”, featuring rock vocalist and ex-Blue Murder vocalist Kelly Keeling.

With the release of the current EP—“A Taste of Heaven”—and a new cd—“Screaming for Redemption”—in production at Richie’s home recording facility—The Wine Cellar—it is clear that Richie and Stuart’s musical chemistry has not only extended into a business relationship, but is an enduring friendship as well.

 Drummer Richie Onori has played and recorded with many high profile artists in the music industry. Some of his better-known endeavors include playing with artists such as:

Keith Emerson  (ELP)
Richie Sambora
Bobby Kimball (Toto)
Rick Derringer
Louis Johnson (Brothers Johnson)
Ronnie James Dio
Paul Rodgers

To name just a few… See www.richieonori.com for a full list.

Richie has recently completed his own solo cd on which he composed, arranged, performed vocals, guitar, drums and harmonic entitled “Three Wishes” which is available on his website. Guest appearances include members of the Eagles, Tower of Power, Eric Clapton, Bob Segar and others.

Richie’s Woodland Hills home boasts a full recording production facility including some of the finest vintage gear around, as well as a specifically designed drum room. See this amazing facility at www.winecellarstudios.com.