Joey Ambrose obit

Joseph D’Ambrosio

1934 - 2021

He was not on the list.

Our wonderful and talented dad, Joseph D'Ambrosio passed away on August 9, 2021. Joseph D'Ambrosio, age 87 of Henderson, Nv was born on March 23, 1934 in Philadelphia, PA. He was the last surviving member of the "Original Bill Halley and the Comets. He was the saxophonist. He was an incredible man who lived an amazing life traveling the world playing his saxophone. We are honored to be his family. We will miss him so much. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Marian, and his grandson, Travis. Joseph is survived by his two daughters, Susan (Randy), JoAnne; his son Joey (Colette); three grandchildren, Tara, Mariah (Tyler), and Aiden and great granddaughter, Mia. Services are pending.

D'Ambrosio was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in March 1934.

Ambrose was initially a member of Bill Haley & His Comets between 1954 and 1955, playing on some of their biggest releases, including "Rock Around the Clock" and "Shake, Rattle and Roll". From 1955 to 1959, he was a member of The Jodimars with former Comets members Dick Richards and Marshall Lytle. After their breakup, Ambrose worked at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, where he would remain for 27 years.

In 1987, Ambrose re-grouped with former bandmates Johnny Grande, Franny Beecher, Dick Richards and Marshall Lytle to form Bill Haley's Original Comets.

In 2012, Ambrose along with most of the other 1950–1960 members of the Comets were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ambrose died on August 9, 2021, at the age of 87. At the time of his death, he was considered to be the last surviving original member of the group.