Tony Bongiovi
Encyclopedia
Tony Bongiovi is a record producer
and recording engineer with expertise in Electrical & Acoustical Engineering. He helped to remodel an old building in Manhattan—once a power plant for Edison, and later a television studio—into the Power Station recording studio in 1977.
Bongiovi was born in the borough of Raritan
, New Jersey
located in Central Jersey
. He attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School West and is a licensed HAM operator
.
He has produced records by Gloria Gaynor, Talking Heads
, Aerosmith
(Classics Live
) and Ramones
(Rocket to Russia
and Leave Home
), Chic
and many more. Early in his career, as an engineer, he worked the console for a number of sessions with Jimi Hendrix
, as well as some of Hendrix's posthumous releases under producer Alan Douglas
.
He is the second cousin of Jon Bon Jovi
, and helped Jon in his early career by giving him a job at the Power Station and by allegedly financing and producing early demo recordings
and paying for singing lessons. An album, John Bongiovi: The Power Station Years
was released in 1999, featuring Tony Bongiovi's early recordings of Jon, before he changed the spelling of his name. The cousins had differing opinions on who should receive what, and after the group Bon Jovi objected, an out of court settlement was reached.
Bongiovi's most recent production is As Above So Below, the debut CD of the hard rock band NoEnd, released in South America by Sony/BMG, and also the band Deep Side on Jive records.
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
and recording engineer with expertise in Electrical & Acoustical Engineering. He helped to remodel an old building in Manhattan—once a power plant for Edison, and later a television studio—into the Power Station recording studio in 1977.
Bongiovi was born in the borough of Raritan
Raritan, New Jersey
Raritan is a Borough in Somerset County, New Jersey, United States. As of the United States 2010 Census, the borough population was 6,881.-Geography:Raritan is located at ....
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
located in Central Jersey
Central Jersey
Central Jersey is a common designation for a region of the state of New Jersey in the United States of America. Trenton is considered the boundary between designated "North Jersey" and "South Jersey"...
. He attended Bridgewater-Raritan High School West and is a licensed HAM operator
Amateur radio operator
An amateur radio operator is an individual who typically uses equipment at an amateur radio station to engage in two-way personal communications with other similar individuals on radio frequencies assigned to the amateur radio service. Amateur radio operators have been granted an amateur radio...
.
He has produced records by Gloria Gaynor, Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
(Classics Live
Classics Live I and II
Classics Live and Classics Live II are a set of albums by the Boston-based rock band Aerosmith, released in 1986 and 1987, respectively. Together, they constitute the band's second live offering, after Live! Bootleg...
) and Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
(Rocket to Russia
Rocket to Russia
Rocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on November 4, 1977 through Sire Records. It was their last with original drummer Tommy Ramone. The album incorporates surf rock and other influences. It includes some of the Ramones' best-known...
and Leave Home
Leave Home
Leave Home is the second studio album by American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on January 10, 1977 through Sire Records. The album features the classic Ramones songs "Pinhead" and "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment"...
), Chic
Chic (band)
Chic was an African American disco and R&B band that was organized during 1976 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. It is known best for its commercially successful disco songs, including "Dance, Dance, Dance " , "Everybody Dance" , "Le Freak" , "I Want Your Love" , "Good Times"...
and many more. Early in his career, as an engineer, he worked the console for a number of sessions with Jimi Hendrix
Jimi Hendrix
James Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
, as well as some of Hendrix's posthumous releases under producer Alan Douglas
Alan Douglas (record producer)
Alan Douglas is an American record producer who has worked with Jimi Hendrix, Miles Davis, Lenny Bruce and the Last Poets. He runs his own record label, Douglas Records....
.
He is the second cousin of Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi
Jon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
, and helped Jon in his early career by giving him a job at the Power Station and by allegedly financing and producing early demo recordings
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
and paying for singing lessons. An album, John Bongiovi: The Power Station Years
John Bongiovi: The Power Station Years
The Power Station Years is an unofficial album released in the fall of 1999. It is a compilation of original demo songs cut by Jon Bon Jovi recorded at New York's The Power Station studio where he worked before later forming Bon Jovi in 1983...
was released in 1999, featuring Tony Bongiovi's early recordings of Jon, before he changed the spelling of his name. The cousins had differing opinions on who should receive what, and after the group Bon Jovi objected, an out of court settlement was reached.
Bongiovi's most recent production is As Above So Below, the debut CD of the hard rock band NoEnd, released in South America by Sony/BMG, and also the band Deep Side on Jive records.
Production and Engineering credits
- 1975: Never Can Say GoodbyeNever Can Say Goodbye (Gloria Gaynor album)Never Can Say Goodbye is a 1975 album by Gloria Gaynor, released on MGM Records in January 1975. It is most notable for including several early Disco recordings...
- Gloria GaynorGloria GaynorGloria Gaynor is an American singer, best known for the disco era hits; "I Will Survive" , "Never Can Say Goodbye" , "Let Me Know " and "I Am What I Am" .-Early career:Gaynor was a singer with the Soul... - 1975: Crash Landing - Jimi HendrixJimi HendrixJames Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
- 1975: Midnight LightningMidnight Lightning-Personnel:*Jimi Hendrix – guitars, vocals*Mitch Mitchell – drums on track 3Added in 1975:*Jeff Mironov – guitar on tracks 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8*Lance Quinn – guitar on tracks 2, 4, 6 and 7...
- Jimi Hendrix - 1975: Are You Ready For Freddy?Are You Ready for Freddy?Are You Ready For Freddy? is an album by Freddy Fender. It was released in 1975 on Dot Records and is a collaboration between the singer and producer Huey P. Meaux.-Overview:...
- Freddy FenderFreddy FenderFreddy Fender , born Baldemar Garza Huerta in San Benito, Texas, United States, was a Mexican-American Tejano, country and rock and roll musician, known for his work as a solo artist and in the groups Los Super Seven and the Texas Tornados... - 1975: Experience Gloria GaynorExperience Gloria GaynorExperience Gloria Gaynor is the second album from Gloria Gaynor, released in 1975 on MGM Records. The album charted in the US Billboard at #64 in the US Pop chart, and at #32 in the US R&B chart. The album failed to chart in the UK, the single "How High The Moon" was issued in the UK and peaked at...
- Gloria Gaynor - 1976: I've Got YouI've Got YouI've Got You was a 1976 album by vocalist Gloria Gaynor. It was her first on Polydor Records, which absorbed her previous label MGM Records, and soon became a force in the disco genre...
- Gloria Gaynor - 1977: Leave HomeLeave HomeLeave Home is the second studio album by American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on January 10, 1977 through Sire Records. The album features the classic Ramones songs "Pinhead" and "Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment"...
- The Ramones - 1977: Rocket to RussiaRocket to RussiaRocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band The Ramones. It was released on November 4, 1977 through Sire Records. It was their last with original drummer Tommy Ramone. The album incorporates surf rock and other influences. It includes some of the Ramones' best-known...
- The Ramones - 1977: Talking Heads '77 - Talking HeadsTalking HeadsTalking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
- 1977: Star Wars and Other Galactic FunkStar Wars and Other Galactic FunkStar Wars and Other Galactic Funk is a disco album by Meco released in 1977. The album remakes various themes and songs from the Star Wars soundtrack into disco tunes. A single from the album entitled "Star Wars Theme/Cantina Band" was released, and hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 on...
- MecoMecoMeco is an American record producer and musician, as well as the name of a band or production team based around him... - 1979: This Is My Life (La Vita) with MecoMecoMeco is an American record producer and musician, as well as the name of a band or production team based around him...
- Shirley BasseyShirley BasseyDame Shirley Bassey, DBE , is a Welsh singer. She found fame in the late 1950s and was "one of the most popular female vocalists in Britain during the last half of the 20th century"... - 1980: Christmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas AlbumChristmas in the StarsChristmas in the Stars: Star Wars Christmas Album is a record album produced in 1980 by RSO Records. It features recordings of Star Wars-themed Christmas songs and stories about a droid factory where the robots make toys year-round for "S. Claus"....
- Meco - ????: "Close Encounters Theme" - Meco
- 1978: Ace FrehleyAce Frehley (album)Ace Frehley is a 1978 solo album from the lead guitarist and vocalist of American hard rock band Kiss. It was one of four solo albums released by the members of Kiss on September 18, 1978....
- Ace FrehleyAce FrehleyPaul Daniel "Ace" Frehley is an American musician best known as the lead guitarist of the rock band Kiss. He took on the persona of the "Spaceman" or "Space Ace" when the band adopted costumes and theatrics... - ????: 1978-80: 1978-1980 Six Singles - Al DowningAl Downing (musician)Al Downing , later known as Big Al Downing, was an entertainer, singer, songwriter, and pianist. He received the Billboard's New Artist of the Year and the Single of the Year Award in 1979. He was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and was a frequent performer at the Grand Ole Opry...
- ????: I'll Be Loving You - Al Downing
- ????: Darlene - Al Downing
- ????: Love on the Line - Lydia MurdockLydia MurdockLydia Murdock is an American pop singer. She is best known for her answer song for Michael Jackson's, "Billie Jean", known as "Superstar", where she portrayed Billie Jean saying that she's "mad as hell" in the song's lyrics...
- ????: Superstar - Lydia Murdock
- 1980: The Empire Strikes Back - Meco
- 1981: Balance - BalanceBalance (band)Balance was an early 1980s pop rock band based out of New York City and fronted by Illinois native, Peppy Castro, formerly of Blues Magoos. Other members included guitarist Bob Kulick, arranger and keyboardist Doug Katsaros, drummer Chuck Burgi, and bassist Dennis Feldman.The group's most...
- 1982: Big Al Downing - Al Downing
- 1982: Rock in a Hard PlaceRock in a Hard Place-Notes:The track "Cry Me a River" is a cover written by Arthur Hamilton.The last track of the album, "Push Comes to Shove" is about Tyler's then girlfriend and future wife Teresa Barrick and her twin sister Lisa.-Band:...
- AerosmithAerosmithAerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many... - 1982: In for the Count - Balance
- 1983: Bark at the MoonBark at the Moon- Credits :* Ozzy Osbourne – vocals* Jake E. Lee – guitar* Bob Daisley – bass guitar* Tommy Aldridge – drums* Don Airey – keyboardsProduction* Produced by Ozzy Osbourne, Bob Daisley, and Max Norman* Engineered by Max Norman...
- Ozzy OsbourneOzzy OsbourneJohn Michael "Ozzy" Osbourne is an English vocalist, whose musical career has spanned over 40 years. Osbourne rose to prominence as lead singer of the pioneering English heavy metal band Black Sabbath, whose radically different, intentionally dark, harder sound helped spawn the heavy metal... - 1984: Bon JoviBon Jovi (album)Bon Jovi is the debut album from American rock band Bon Jovi, released January 21, 1984. Produced by Tony Bongiovi and Lance Quinn, the album is significant for being the only Bon Jovi album on which a song appears that was not written or co-written by members of the band...
- Bon JoviBon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald... - 1984: Love At First StingLove at First StingLove at First Sting is the ninth studio album by the German heavy metal band Scorpions, released in 1984 . Love at First Sting became the most successful album of the band in the USA where it peaked at number 6 on the Billboard 200 chart in 1984 and went triple platinum...
- ScorpionsScorpions (band)Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still... - 1990: Back for Another TasteBack for Another TasteBack For Another Taste was the 7th Helix studio album and 8th album altogether. It was also their last album of their original Capitol Records contract...
- HelixHelix (band)Helix are a Canadian hard rock/heavy metal band. They formed in 1974, and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup was formed by drummer Bruce Arnold, and consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Ron Watson and Rick "Minstrel" Trembley, keyboardist Don...
- co-producer - 2005: As Above So Below - NoEnd
Others produced
- Jodi Bongiovi
- Cindy BullensCindy BullensCindy Bullens is an American singer and songwriter who grew up in Massachusetts. She released two albums in the late 1970s on United Artists and Casablanca and another on MCA in 1989...
- Carlene CarterCarlene CarterCarlene Carter is an American country singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter and her first husband, Carl Smith....
- Rick DerringerRick DerringerRick Derringer is an American guitarist, vocalist, and entertainer.-1960s:When he was seventeen years old, his band The McCoys recorded "Hang on Sloopy" in the summer of 1965, which became the number one song in America before "Yesterday" by The Beatles knocked it out of the top spot. The song was...
- Mike DeVille
- Buck DharmaBuck DharmaDonald "Buck Dharma" Roeser is an American guitarist and songwriter, best known for being a member of Blue Öyster Cult since the group's formation in 1967...
- Carol DouglasCarol DouglasCarol Douglas is an American singer whose hit "Doctor's Orders" was a pioneer track in the disco genre.-Early life and acting career:...
- The Electriks
- Barry GoudreauBarry GoudreauBarry Goudreau is a musician, best known as one of the original guitarists for the rock band Boston.- Before Boston :Goudreau had developed a musical interest at an early age and got his first guitar, an acoustic which he borrowed from a friend, at age 11. He began taking lessons and by age 13,...
- Gus & The New Breed
- Millie JacksonMillie JacksonMildred "Millie" Jackson is an American R&B/soul singer-songwriter and comedienne. Three of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 copies....
- The RezillosThe RezillosThe Rezillos are a punk/new wave band, who formed in Edinburgh in 1976 and still play gigs around the world in a re-formed line-up. Although frequently aligned with the punk movement, the Rezillos' irreverent glam rock image and affection for campy girl-group iconography, set them distinctly apart...
- Sylvian
- Tuff DartsTuff DartsTuff Darts is an American punk rock band. They were one of the first bands to establish an audience at CBGB. They reached their greatest fame in the mid-late 1970s with such songs as "Slash", " Nuclear Waste" and their biggest hit single, "All For The Love of Rock and Roll." The band appeared at...