Dad Hosts Concert In Son’s Memory After Heroin Silenced His Music

BRANCHBURG, NJ — Talented and well-known musician Henry “Hank” Rosenthal, brought joy to others through his music for years until heroin silenced him in September.

A Branchburg local and Somerville High School graduate, Rosenthal was 26 years old on Sept. 30, 2017 when he overdosed on heroin at his home, his father Tom said.

To honor Rosenthal’s memory, raise awareness on the growing opioid epidemic and raise money for a good cause, Tom is hosting a Memorial Concert on Saturday from 3 to 11 p.m. at the Brooks Arts Center in Bound Brook.

Tickets are $20 at the door and will benefit the Rutgers Recovery House.

“It’s not so much paying tribute to him as it is to raise money to an anti-drug cause,” Tom told Patch.

Rosenthal had always had a passion for music. He began playing the piano at 5 years old.

He performed both as a solo artist and as a member of many jazz and rock groups, some of which include Big Wake, The Bryan Hansen Band, Wig Party, Until Wednesday and the DeLoreans

He also accompanied many solo artists, including Peter Prasa, Andy Prasa, Danielle Illario, Wayne Lyle, Don Guillaume and Seth Choynake.

He performed regular gigs at the Ryland Inn in Whitehouse Station, Da Filippo’s in Somerville, Dragonfly in Somerville and Stone House in Warren.

He also sang as a tenor for a time with the choir of Immaculate Conception Church in Somerville.

Unfortunately, Rosenthal had endured a long struggle against alcohol and drug addiction.

“He had a side to him, a drug addiction side and he couldn’t escape it,” Tom said.

His first arrest for heroin possession was in January 2013. He had been in and out of rehabs for many years. He went to three residential rehabs and about five or six outpatient private counseling centers. He also participated in Alcoholics Anonymous.

“He had been clean for six months when he relapsed in April of last year,” Rosenthal’s dad said. “We thought it scared him and he got back on the wagon for six months and then fell off it.”

He fell off the wagon for the final time in September 2017. Tom doesn’t believe his son intended to overdose and says the heroin he was using was laced with Fentanyl. Tom is still waiting for the toxicology report to confirm his beliefs.

“We had 500 mourners at his wake and more than 550 people at the church the next day,” Tom recalled.

To bring awareness to this drug epidemic, Tom has about 20 acts performing during the concert that range in all kinds of music from rock bands to solo artists.

“I wouldn’t have 20 acts if he wasn’t so widely known,” Rosenthal’s father said.

For more information or to buy tickets click here or see the flier below.

(Image 1 by Jesse Michalski. Images 2 and 3 via Tom Rosenthal.)

Have a news tip? Email alexis.tarrazi@patch.com.

Get Patch breaking news alerts sent right to your phone with our new app. Download here.