
ROCKY HORROR Superfan Sal Piro Dies at 71
Piro was the founder and president of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan Club until his passing.
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Sal Piro, a Rocky Horror Picture Show superfan who was integral in creating the film's cult fanbase, has died at 71.
Piro helped create the film's audience participation routines that are still used during screenings of the movie musical. He was the founder and president of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan Club until his passing.
Deadline shares that Piro's experiences with the film are detailed in his memoir, Creatures of the Night, which is currently being adapted into a film.
During early midnight screenings, Piro would shout humorous responses to the film's dialogue. As the responses became more common and elaborate, Piro helped create a floor show that would feature fans acting out the film underneath the screen while the film is playing.
Piro also had a small role in the Rocky Horror sequel, Shock Treatment, and played himself in an episode of Fame in 1980.
With profound sorrow we pass on the news that Sal Piro, founder and long time president of The Rocky Horror Picture Show Fan Club, has passed away. Sal was the defacto face of Rocky Horror fandom for decades. He will be sorely missed. #salpiro #rockyhorrorpictureshow #rockyhorror pic.twitter.com/rPjdSO0cnx
- Rocky Horror fanclub (@TRHPSFanClub) January 23, 2023
Some Like It Hot and Hairspray writer Marc Shaiman posted a tribute to Piro on Instagram, describing attending early midnight screenings of the film at the Waverly Theater in New York City with Piro and their friend Dori Hartley, who was credited as being the first person to dress up in costume at a screening, arriving as Frank N Furter.
"We didn't know what we were giving birth to, we were just having a great time and being creative in the most freeing way. Writing the perfect lines to go in-between the film's dialogue, creating props, just having FUN, it was a total joyfest," Shaiman wrote in a touching Instagram tribute.
.png)
From This Author - Michael Major

March 24, 2023
Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster (Anything Goes, Music Man) hosted last night’s star-studded “Great Performances: Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway” concert at Lincoln Center. The concert also features Sara Bareilles, Corbin Bleu, Norm Lewis, Patina Miller, Chita Rivera, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and more. Check out photos of Foster hosting now!

March 24, 2023
In Big Boss, a young woman from Chicago struggles to make it in the unpredictable, callous, male-dominated music industry, only to realize the greater challenge was learning to trust her own instincts. Written and directed by Keke Palmer, this video is her true story of perseverance, self-love, impenetrable faith, and survival of spirit.

March 24, 2023
Flipping the energetic, danceable record on its head (even the tracklist is reversed), dEd, ironically, breathes new life into the album’s 13 tracks with dreamy, electronic reinterpretations. The announcement is heralded by the release of “Voices Carry (dEd version),” which is available now. dEd is available for presave now via Fueled By Ramen.

March 24, 2023
Maryland auteur IDK (Ignorantly Delivering Knowledge) keeps the new music coming with his propulsive new single “850” featuring Rich The Kid. Supremely bold and confident, the track demonstrates IDK’s winning brand of showmanship. It follows the blistering 'Radioactive,' which kicked off his 2023 campaign.

March 24, 2023
Foals unveiled a thrilling new twist on their sound as they release the new Dan Carey version of ‘2am’. The track is the first to be taken from their eagerly anticipated new project ‘Life Is Dub.' ‘Life Is Dub’ sees Dan Carey rework the entire critically acclaimed ‘Life Is Yours’ album through a heavyweight dub prism.