Ep.255: Interview with GENE MARCHELLO of MARCHELLO

George Dionne interviews guitarist & vocalist GENE MARCHELLO about the 2026 re-release of the first two MARCHELLO albums, ‘Destiny’ (1989) and ‘The Power of Money’ (1991). Both albums are out now through High Roller Records.

”OZZY came down to see me…because he wanted a new guitar player to replace Jake E. Lee. He ended up going with Zakk Wylde.” - Gene Marchello

Highlights include:

-Forming the group with his dad, Pepe Marchello (THE GOOD RATS)

-The various incarnations that preceded the group

-How their record label pushed Pepe into a background roll

-Brining in the other band members

-Opening up for OZZY, MEATLOAF, and others

-Gene possibly replacing Jake E. Lee

-Releasing the first album ‘Destiny’ in 1989

-Actress Gina Gershon appearing in their first music video

-The song “Destiny” becoming the focus track of the 2026 re-release

-Extra material included on the 2026 version

-What stalled MARCELLO from releasing their second album

-Changing the name of the second album for the 2026 re-release

-Working with different producers for the second album

-Did MARCHELLO trying selling their unreleased album to other labels

-Giles Lavery’s (ALCATRAZZ, WARLORD) role in bringing back MARCHELLO’s first two albums

-Trying to bring vinyl versions of the album to the US

-Joining his dad in THE GOOD RATS and eventually taking it over for a time

-Why ‘The Magic Comes Alive” was renamed ‘The Power of Money” for the current releases

-Covering “I Feel Good” by JAMES BROWN

-Has Gene thought of writing new MARCHELLO music

-Does he keep in touch with his old band members

-And much, much more!