Vinnie Saint (born Santo La Rosa, Sicily 1943) was a Blues musician from Soho, London, who was active in the late 60s.
Considered an enigma of the British Blues scene of that era, he suddenly vanished after 2 successful performances at the famous Marquee club, appearing in the same bill with Pink Floyd, Marmalade and John Mayall’s Blues Breakers amongst others (Tony Shrimplin, Museum of Soho, source). He was respected by many British Blues players of the era, John Mayall included.
According to Gaz Mayall, John Mayall’s son, he also auditioned for his father’s band after Peter Green left the Blues Breakers but Mick Taylor was chosen instead of him.
He released 3 singles with the independent record label Bloom Records, a label connected to the Marquee Studios.
The few existing 45 prints of his 3 original songs “In my Town” (his most well known one amongst vintage British Blues aficionados), “Walk Away” and “Mad Dogs Out” have sometimes been found at flea markets and vinyl record stalls around London.
His whereabouts are still unknown today.
A musical play on his story is currently being developed by composer and director Lenny Di Lorenzo (www.lennydilorenzo.com) in co-production with Broadway producer Robert Kalfin.