It is very hard to type this. I still am shocked and very upset. But i wanted to be sure to let everyone here know. This site was such a part of his life, and he thought of everyone here as a friend, nay, family. Ralph E. Virgilio, aka Flyer7747 aka Born to rock passed away this past weekend, he was 56 years old. I cherish the memories i have of us singing and playing guitar at his apartment in Buffalo, and the time we met his mother and cousin in Cleveland and ate pizza together.. I will truly miss this great friend.  At this time i have no information on how he died, other than he has been ill for a while, and spent a couple weeks in the hospital recently, but he had been released last week, and told me he was feeling much better..

RIP Ralphie Boy..  And awaaay we go....

I'm in shock.

Elvis has left the building....very sad news we are really going to miss him.

Ralph played a big part of the bandAMP community, never said a bad word about anybody.
My thoughts go out to his friends and family.
RIP dear Ralph (Flyer7747)
Bless

Bandamp and I will always keep his words and works for the entire community and the rest of the world. Please listen to Flyers records here https://flyer7747.bandamp.org/

R.I.P. Ralph, I will truely miss you

ps
Thank you Jim for this sad message

What an absolute tragedy. Thanks for giving so much to one community (and I'm sure there were many others), and helping people to create the best the music they could. Always there with helpful advice, or just some sporting words to spur people on. It will be missed and was always so greatly appreciated. You were a star, and now you've joined them.

Rock on.

Oh my gosh that's terrible! I'm in shock as well. I never thought I'd see any of you guys go. The thought never even once crossed my mind. I'm so sorry for his family and all those who knew him closely, and we will all miss him very much. He was so kind and always had something good to say about somebody. He will be remembered by all of us and his music will live on.

Thank you for letting us know.

This is terrible news...I'm so sad to hear that...He was indeed a good and caring friend! R.I.P Ralph!

I am truly saddened to hear of this...and as you guys have already said, Ralph was one of a kind...a very kind gentle man. I truly appreciate your sharing this, Jim. May you rest in eternal peace, brother Ralph!!

Way to go .....
And it is the way it goes
May you rest in eternal peace ... Aye absolutely.
If your still hanging around somewhere, hear this, you will be a friend until my own end.
Thank you sincerely for the memories.

I hope his close family and friends are dealing with it ok. 56 is not old,  but if he had been living with illness for so long, letting go would have been the only clear answer .

Bloody hell Ralph ! I've got tears running down my face and I still have to go to work .....
    it was an absolute pleasure knowing you, you really will be missed
             .... go well my friend

Ralph rest in peace
Now you're rocking with Hendrix and Elvis
All my thought to his family

I just received the sad news about Ralph from Denis. I knew he had been struggling with his health for some time, but I had no idea how bad it was. It is quite a shock. My sympathies go out to his family and those close to him. I will keep good memories of him... Poor bastard! 56 is way too young.

So long, buddy... I'll have a beer or two and drink em to you.

Ralph gone ....
Such sad news ..... I first met him just as he joined bandamp ....I think his first ever recording ever!!!!!!! And commented on all his stuff........trying to get him to get some recording software ......we talked about it loads ...
Well that worked.....
And he made loads of friends here on bandamp
Bottom line. Ralph a GENTLEMAN in life
 Will miss him

A TRUE AMPER......

Just a real shame life reached its end so early

John and Sue Tobin

The SWORDFISH

Ralph had one of the kindest voices here on the amp, and it seems in every aspect of his life. He was a wonderful musician, a wonderful friend, and a wonderful person. And not only did he seem incredibly well-grounded in his own life, but he was also one of the many encouraging voices that pushed me forward along my own path. Goodbye, Ralph. You will be missed.

- Ben

This is so saddening. So very deeply saddening. I can barely even conjure up words. We'll all miss you Ralph. So much.

I am so sad after hearing this so sad news.  Ralph and I have been emailing to and fro for a while and he said he was going to sort out my songs and his songs that we did together. Also maybe do another one soon. Sadley he never was able to. I sure will miss him. I know that his wonderful music will carry on through. I will always treasure his music.
No words will ever say how much I will miss you Ralphy.x

  I have our tracks on my phone..actually was listening to them on Friday...weird ..will be a different vibe listening now 4 sure..My heart goes out to his  friends and family. RIP

Just heard about this from kings.

I...am at a loss for words. Ralph was one of the first people I communicated with on here—he liked a track that I made and wanted to collaborate on a piece. He put it together and while that was happening, we talked a lot. He was a wonderfully nice person, and, I think, a young bear at heart.

My thoughts are with his family and friends. I will raise a glass to his memory—the fun, happy, joyful ones—tonight, and am sure that you have all done the same.

Rest easy, buddy.

I was off for a while (PC corrupted again two times, a family tragedy and healthy probs) and find this terrible news here.
What can I say what wasn´t already said above ? 
It´s hard for our community to loose such a kind, humble, helpful member who was always searching for colabs, friendship. He was the only one on the amp I ever worked together in a colab. And I remember the conversations we had during this work. He told me about his time in germany when he was stationed here in the US army back in the late 70s.    he was just one year older than me
That he liked it so much being in germany - the landscapes, the people, the wine (mmmh....he didn´t mention the girls ?!?!?) -  and that he aimed for visiting germany again one day.
Pity that he couldn´t reach this goal.

I raise up a glas of wine from the area (Pfalz) his was stationed back then - right now and here.

Prost, alla salute, Mr. Ralph Virgilio                                               

 miss ya