Mark Rivera - Music, News, And Life
When you think about people who have made a mark in more than one big way, a name that might come to mind is Mark Rivera. He has, you know, been a part of the public eye for quite some time, showing up in different places. From the news desk to some of the biggest stages in music, his presence has been felt by many. He brings a unique blend of talents to the table, actually, which is pretty interesting.
He is someone who has spent a good deal of his working life both reporting on happenings and making music that people enjoy. It's almost like he has two very distinct careers, yet he manages to do both with a certain flair. You might have seen him on your television screen, or perhaps you have heard his saxophone solos during a live show. He really has had a hand in some pretty memorable moments, in a way, across different fields.
This article will take a closer look at the many sides of Mark Rivera. We will talk about his beginnings, his time reporting the news, and his very long music career. It's a chance to get to know a person who has quite a story to tell, with moments that have shaped his path and brought him into the homes and hearts of many people, so.
Table of Contents
- Mark Rivera - A Life in the Spotlight
- Personal Details for Mark Rivera
- What Makes Mark Rivera Stand Out?
- Mark Rivera's Musical Journey
- How Did Mark Rivera Become a Sideman?
- Mark Rivera's Broadcast Career
- Where Can You Find Mark Rivera's Work?
- What About Mark Rivera's Written Work?
Mark Rivera - A Life in the Spotlight
Mark Rivera, as a person, has quite a story to share. He was born on May 24, 1953. That means he has seen a lot of things happen over the years, and he has been a part of many different scenes. He is an American saxophonist, you know, and he is known for how well he plays many different kinds of instruments. He is also a musician who helps guide music for other bands. He also provides entertainment for big events, too. He is very much known for the work he has done with many famous musicians, so.
He grew up in Brooklyn, New York. That is where he was born and raised. It is a place that has a lot of history, and it is a place where many artists get their start. He went to a school that is very well-known for performing arts. Many people call it "the High School of Performing Arts," and it is a place where young people learn how to act, sing, and play music. This early schooling, you might say, helped him get ready for the kind of life he would have later on, a life full of music and being in the public eye.
His story, in a way, shows a real passion for chasing after what you want to do. He has spent many years working in music, and he has also spent time working in news. It seems he has always been driven to do things that connect with people, whether through a song or by telling them what is happening in the world. He has, you know, built a career that is pretty impressive, showing that you can do many things if you set your mind to it.
Personal Details for Mark Rivera
| Full Name | Mark Rivera |
| Date of Birth | May 24, 1953 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Known For | Saxophonist, Musician, Musical Director, News Anchor/Reporter |
| Current News Role | Anchor & Reporter at ABC 7 Chicago (as of December 2017) |
| Longest Music Role | Billy Joel's Saxophone Player (40+ years) |
| Other Music Roles | Ringo Starr's Music Director, Solo Artist ("Common Bond") |
| Family Life | Married, welcomed second child |
What Makes Mark Rivera Stand Out?
What really makes Mark Rivera special is his ability to move between very different kinds of work. He is, you know, not just a person who plays music, and he is not just a person who reports the news. He does both, and he does them at a high level. It is pretty rare to find someone who has made such a big mark in two fields that are so far apart, actually. His journey shows a lot about being able to change and adapt, and to use your skills in many ways, so.
His time in music has been very long, and it has involved working with some of the biggest names around. This kind of experience, you might say, builds a certain kind of skill and a way of seeing the world. Then, he brings that same kind of dedication and sharp thinking to his news work. It's almost like he uses the same focus, whether he is reading a teleprompter or hitting the right notes on his saxophone. This is, in some respects, a true sign of a person who is very good at what they do.
He has also been able to share his stories and thoughts with others, which is another thing that makes him stand out. Not everyone who has a long career takes the time to write about it, or to talk about the deeper ideas behind their work. Mark Rivera has done that, too. This gives people a chance to see more of who he is, beyond just the public appearances. He is, you know, someone who has lived a full life and is willing to share parts of it with others.
Mark Rivera's Musical Journey
Mark Rivera's path in music is quite something to hear about. He has been the saxophone player for Billy Joel for more than 41 years, actually. That is a very long time to be with one artist, and it shows how much they trust him and how good he is. He often takes over the show with his solos on some of Billy Joel's most well-known songs, like "New York State of Mind." People really enjoy those moments, you know, when he steps forward and plays his heart out. He has played in many big places, like the Hollywood Bowl, and he has been with Billy Joel when they played in Salt Lake City after ten years away. It is, in a way, a very important part of the Billy Joel sound.
Beyond his long time with Billy Joel, Mark Rivera has also worked as the music director for Ringo Starr and his All Starr Band. This means he helps put the music together for Ringo Starr's shows, making sure everything sounds right and works well. That is a pretty big job, too, because it means you are in charge of how the whole band sounds. He has also had the chance to play with John Lennon. He backed John Lennon for his very last TV performance, which happened on April 18, 1975. They played "Imagine" during a special show that was meant to honor a British entertainment person. That is, you know, a piece of music history that he was a part of.
He also has his own music. His first solo album is called "Common Bond," and you can find it on his YouTube channel. This album has a mix of different sounds, like rock, pop, and soul music. It shows his own ideas and his own way of playing. He is known for how well he can play many different instruments, not just the saxophone. People in Salt Lake City, for example, might not know his name right away, but they have almost certainly heard a song that he helped make sound better. His skills, you know, have added a lot to many recordings over the years, and he is a very talented musician, so.
How Did Mark Rivera Become a Sideman?
Becoming a sideman, which is a musician who plays with a main artist but is not the main artist themselves, takes a lot of skill and a bit of luck. For Mark Rivera, it seems a certain gig in a place called Roslyn helped him get the job as Billy Joel's saxophone player. That is, you know, how these things often happen in the music business. One chance leads to another, and if you are good and you are ready, big things can follow. He has, in a way, built a career out of being that person who helps the main artist shine, while also getting his own moments in the spotlight.
His book, which is called "In Pursuit of the Next Gig," shares his stories and his thoughts from his time as a sideman. It talks about what it takes to get to the top in the music business, and also how to stay there for a long time. It also talks about something that might surprise people, too. It is, you know, full of hope, and it has some funny parts, and he is very open in it. He puts the focus on what life is like for a musician who plays with others, and he shares what he has learned. This book, in some respects, gives people a look behind the curtain of the music world.
He has spent four decades, more or less, making crowds happy as Billy Joel's saxophone player. This kind of staying power is quite rare, actually. It shows that he is not just a great player, but also a person who works well with others and is a good part of a team. He is, you know, someone who understands what it means to support the main act while still bringing his own unique sound to the performance. This is, in a way, how he became such a well-known sideman, and how he has kept that role for so long.
Mark Rivera's Broadcast Career
Beyond his very active music life, Mark Rivera also has a strong presence in news. He is an American anchor and reporter who is currently working at ABC 7 Chicago. He joined the news team there in December 2017, and he often works on the weekends. So, you know, if you are watching the news on a Saturday or Sunday morning in Chicago, you might see his face. He is a journalist who helps bring the news to people, and he does it with a steady hand. He has, in a way, made a smooth move from the stage to the news desk, which is pretty interesting.
He serves the station as a weekend morning news anchor and reporter. This means he not only tells people what is happening, but he also helps guide the news program. It is a job that needs you to be very clear and to think quickly, actually. He is a part of the ABC 7 Eyewitness News team, which is a big news organization. His work there means he is a familiar face to many people in the Chicago area, and he helps them stay informed about what is going on around them. It is, you know, a very different kind of performance than playing music, but it still needs a lot of skill.
It seems he also worked for ABC 7 News in Florida at some point, also joining a station there in December 2017 as a weekend morning anchor. This shows that his skills in reporting and anchoring are recognized in different places. He is, you know, a person who can step into a news role and do a good job, whether it is in Chicago or somewhere else. He has, in some respects, built a solid career in broadcasting, just like he has in music. He is a person who has done a lot of different things, and he has done them well.
Where Can You Find Mark Rivera's Work?
If you are looking to connect with Mark Rivera or find out more about his work, there are a few places you can go. For his news work, you can usually find him on ABC 7 Chicago, especially on weekend mornings. That is where he does his reporting and anchoring. He is, you know, a regular part of their news team, and he helps keep people updated on the latest events. His presence on television makes him quite visible to a large number of people, so.
For his music, you can check out his YouTube channel. That is where he features his first solo album, "Common Bond." It has his own songs on it, and it gives you a chance to hear his personal musical style. You can also, you know, find recordings of his work with Billy Joel and Ringo Starr. He has been a part of so many famous songs over the years that his playing is pretty much everywhere if you listen to those artists. He has, in a way, left his mark on a lot of popular music, actually.
You can also find him on social media. There are profiles of people named Mark Rivera, and you can join Facebook to connect with him and others you might know. Facebook gives people a way to, you know, stay in touch and see what is happening. He has a page for "Mark Rivera ABC7, Chicago, Illinois," and it has many followers. People like his page, and they talk about his posts. This is a good way, you know, to see updates from him and to feel a bit more connected to what he is doing, too.
What About Mark Rivera's Written Work?
Mark Rivera has also shared his experiences through writing. He has, you know, written a book about his career as a sideman. The book is called "In Pursuit of the Next Gig." It is a chance for him to tell his own stories and to give people an inside look at what it is like to be a musician who plays with famous artists. It is not just about the music, but also about the life that comes with it. He talks about what it takes to get ahead in the music business and to stay there for a long time, which is, in some respects, quite a challenge.
The book also shares something that might be a bit surprising, too. It is full of hope, and it has some humor, and he is very open about things. He turns the focus onto the life of a sideman, showing what goes on behind the scenes. This is, you know, a way for him to share his wisdom and his personal thoughts with people who are interested in music or in building a career. It is a unique perspective, as not many sidemen write books about their experiences. He is, in a way, giving a voice to a part of the music world that often stays in the background.
He has also, you know, been in the news for some personal matters. It has been reported that Mark Rivera, who was a lay pastor in a certain church group, pled guilty to one charge. He was also found guilty in December of felony child sexual abuse and assault, and he was given a sentence for it. This is, in some respects, a very serious part of his public story, and it has been reported by news groups. It is, you know, a very different kind of public information compared to his music or news work, but it is part of the record.
Mark Rivera | The Official Mark Rivera Website
Mark Rivera | The Official Mark Rivera Website
Mark Rivera Official Site | Mark Rivera – Common Bond
