Rado was born in Los Angeles and was raised in Rochester, New York and Washington, D.C. In college, Rado majored in Speech and Drama and began writing songs. He co-authored two musical shows at the University of Maryland, "Interlude" and "Interlude II". After graduation, followed by two years in the U.S. Navy, he returned to school in Washington, D.C. for graduate work at The Catholic University of America, where he co-authored a musical revue called "Cross Your Fingers". He wrote the lyrics and music for all of his early songs.