Gene Raschi

Eugene “Gene” Raschi (October 24, 1929 - February 15, 2003) was raised in an Italian immigrant family in Springfield, MA. His older brother was famed Yankees pitcher Vic Raschi, and Gene was in fact blinded in two different batted ball incidents while a spectator at ball games, eight years apart. Attending Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA, he sang and played bass in school productions, and met Helen Gerdes, whom he married in 1952. In November and December 1959, notices in Billboard announced Gene as “in charge” of the Raycraft Recording Studio and of Raycraft Records, founded by Raymond A. Fournier, who was also blind. Gene worked as singer, composer and musician on recording sessions for many local musicians and record labels.