Remembering Mike Visaggio (1952–2025)

by Unqualified-Kritic | Feb 15, 2025 | News

The Melodic Revolution family is deeply saddened to share that Mike Visaggio, keyboardist and founder of Kinetic Element, passed away on the evening of February 11, 2025. Mike was 72.

Mike was not only an exceptional musician but also an inspiration to all who knew him. Throughout his life, he was deeply passionate about music, playing in rock, pop, and blues bands since the 60s. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, he recorded four albums as the keyboardist for Billy Falcon, but his true love was progressive rock.

In 2006, Mike released his well-received solo album, Starship Universe—a nine-track blend of bluesy progressive rock. Just a few years later, in 2009, he formed Kinetic Element, releasing their debut album, Powered by Light. The band, based in Richmond, Virginia, quickly gained recognition within the progressive rock community.

In 2013, Kinetic Element signed with Melodic Revolution Records, leading to the release of three acclaimed studio albums, including their most recent, Chasing the Lesser Light (2023), which followed the live album Live From New York. Despite battling illness, Mike and the band had already begun work on what would have been their fifth studio album.

Mike’s unwavering passion, extraordinary talent, and steadfast dedication to his craft, combined with his profound love of God and life, left an indelible mark on all who knew him. Though he will be deeply missed, his music and legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations to come
Rest in peace, Mike
– Melodic Revolution Records

“Mike opened our first conversation when he called me and said, “I want to know why, of the seven guitarists recommended to me, you haven’t called me yet”. I loved his New York directness, but he revealed a very kind soul and lured me into believing that we could make it work, with me on the West Coast and Kinetic Element on the East Coast. Three albums, a few festivals in the US and UK, and several East Coast gigs rewarded his faith and determination to make it happen. I’ll be forever grateful for that opportunity, and I will sorely miss our deep conversations about anything and everything.”
– Peter Matuchniak

Mike first called me during the early days of Travelog, saying, “I saw you on YouTube—if that’s really you, we’d like to offer you an audition.” I gave it my best shot at The Garage in Henrico, VA—and failed. My first-ever failed audition left me sorely disappointed. Months later, Mike called back: “Mark wants to give you another chance. I’m sure it’s a waste of time, but we told him okay.” Secretly, I had been practicing War Song, the track I couldn’t hack before. This time, I nailed it.

That was the start of an 11+ year journey—sometimes confrontational but always rewarding. Mike’s brilliance and perfectionism pushed us all. We didn’t always agree on what “perfect” meant, but he was always devoted to the music, as he was to God—inseparable in his mind. Playing live with him was extraordinary, and giving his music a voice was an honor. Mike put us on the prog map. My only regret is not meeting him sooner.

This chapter may be over, but his voice, heart, and soul live on in his music.
Rest well, Maestro.
– John Coleman

I first met Mike Visaggio back in 2006 when I was playing in a classic rock cover band. After practice, I’d break down my drum kit, haul it over to Mike’s house, and we’d jam—not just on classic rock, but a lot of progressive rock as well. Over time, he started sharing his original material with me, and before I knew it, he convinced me to play on three tracks for his solo album, Starship Universe. For the rest of the album, he relied on what I always called The Infernal Drum Machine lol.

Not long after, we started talking about forming a band to create original music. Though Mike was the primary songwriter, he let me name the band Kinetic Element. Eventually, we put out the first KE album, and somewhere along the way, I told Mike I’d be in this with him “until the wheels fell off.”

Over the years, the band saw different members come and go, but I like to think that Mike and I were the core of it all. We eventually assembled the best lineup this band has ever had, released albums, and played some incredible shows—including major progressive rock festivals up and down the coast, in Canada, and even in Wales.

We accomplished so much together on this musical journey, and I learned a lot from him along the way. He was like a brother to me. I, along with so many others, will miss him dearly.
– Michael Murray

I remember when Olimpia and I returned from our birthday cruise. Mike sent me birthday wishes via Messenger and asked if we could meet. We knew each other from Facebook but had never met in person. I had offered him my help a few times before, but he wasn’t interested at the time.

I was busy playing in cover bands around the Richmond, Virginia area, but I had heard some of Mike’s music—and that was the kind of music I wanted to play. He sent me two songs to learn and told me to let him know when I was ready. Of course, I learned them in just two evenings—each song was 10-15 minutes long—and asked when we could get together. He was very surprised by how quickly I responded.

We met one evening, just the two of us—no drums, no guitar, just us—and played the songs. Todd, the guitarist, was already exhausted from auditioning bass players. But after we played, Mike was visibly impressed and happy. He told me, “Mark, I’ve been looking for a bass player like you for many years. Where have you been?”

I laughed and said, “Ten miles away from you, bro!”

Then came the full-band practice. Everyone was smiling and ready to work on the big project—the Travelog album. Mike told me they had auditioned nine other bass players from the Richmond area but couldn’t find the right one. Hearing that I was the right guy filled me with joy. That’s when my Kinetic Element adventure began.

My family and I came to the U.S. legally in 1994 after winning the visa lottery. It took nearly three years of embassy meetings, medical exams, and background checks before we could finally set foot on American soil. But it was worth it. This is a beautiful country, and we’ve met so many great people and friends here.

And one of them always impressed me—the maestro himself.
Mike Visaggio. R.I.P., my friend.
-Mark Tupko

Mike and I first connected around 2008 through Myspace, and from the very start, we formed a bond that only grew stronger over the years. By 2010, I was playing his debut solo album, Starship Universe, on air. It wasn’t until 2012, at RoSFest—a progressive rock festival in Gettysburg, PA—that we finally met in person. That weekend, we shared our vision of working together someday, a dream that became a reality the following year when we officially entered a musical partnership.

In 2013, we reunited at RoSFest, this time a day before the festival began. We met in the parking lot of the Eisenhower Hotel, where we were staying, and sealed our partnership with a signed contract. Each night, RoSFest hosted an after-show jam session in the hotel’s Conference Center, open to musicians of all levels—from hobbyists to professionals.

Mike was always there, lending a hand with equipment and sound, bringing his keyboards and PA system for others to use without hesitation. That first night in 2013, I had the honor of introducing Mike to festival attendees and announcing our partnership, knowing it was just the beginning of something incredible.

Over the years, our friendship and collaboration flourished, and MRR was proud to release four CDs and one LP—milestones in our lives that will never be forgotten. Though Mike is no longer with us physically, his legacy lives on in the music we created together. His spirit remains in every note we played.

Mike was more than a musical partner—he was a true friend. His impact on my life and the world of progressive music will resonate for years to come.
– Nick Katona, Melodic Revolution Records

More information about Mike and Kinetic Element can be found below.
https://httpsmrrmusiccom.lsnto.me/0f1dka7z