Sal Piro the man for who over 40+ years introduced audiences to “Don’t Dream It. Be It.” mantra of the Rocky Horro Picture Show has passed away.
Sal began attending screenings of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Waverly Theater in early 1977. Along with other early enthusiasts, Piro started the fan club in 1977 and later took it national after he and his group relocated to the 8th Street Playhouse. Along with being the Emcee at his theater, Sal became the voice of the Rocky Horror community, eventually acknowledged by both producer Lou Adler and 20th Century Fox. As a Rocky Horror Legend.
Sal Piro is and was a legend. Every weekend for decades he introduced “vrgins” (first time veiwers) to the thrills and pleasures of The Rocky Horro Picture Show. Huundeds of thousands of people and at a time in the 70s and 80s when any LGBT content was controversial and could be potentiall dangerous. Despite this Sal opened the minds and hearts of many not only to love RHPS but also to love themselves and others as well.
On a personal note I was introuced to Sal through his sister Lillias and was member of the 8th Street Floorshoor and I can attest to the fact thast there was never a not a nicer, kinder, more accepting soul ever walked the face of the earth.
Goodbye Sal we will all miss you.
This is so very sad for me. I knew Sal before the floor show at the Waverly came to be, and he included me in his first Creatures of the Night book. Long story short, I was the first person to throw confetti. My friend Amy and I always say it was a private joke gone public, and Sal took it to the heights it could reach. The last time I saw him was at the 30th Anniversary in 1996, after he’d called and asked me to attend. I moved from NYC after that, but those memories will forever live on in my heart. Farewell, old friend. You didn’t dream it, you were it.