Want to know a little more about Bob Conti? We bring to you some excerpts from an interview for Singular City’s “Singular Magazine” March/April issue. By Marva Marrow. Writer, performer, producer Bob Conti has collaborated with stars such as Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Wilson Pickett. Paul Simon and Ritchie Sambora from Bon Jovi. Current projects include producing Jose Feliciano’s new album. Bob’s father was a sax player who also composed and played keyboards. “He was my inspiration to become a musician. I grew up in Brooklyn where there was a “Do Wop” a capella group on every corner” So singing was what he  did almost every night — in the subway, in the hallways, at school, after school — “wherever there was an echo” Bob’s first paying “gig” took place in the Jefferson Street subway station (Bklyn NY),  “My singing buddies and I were paid a total of one dollar by a passerby for singing one of our favorite songs! I was mystified, why would someone pay us for doing something that we loved to do? It didn’t take me long to figure that one out.” “My neighborhood was becoming too dangerous a place for Mom and I so, off to the beauty of sunny California.” They  settled in Venice right across from the high school marching band rehearsal area on Venice blvd. “I heard the drums and I was hooked. I Practiced all summer and when the school year rolled around I auditioned for and joined the marching band as a drummer”. “It’s hard to explain the feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when the drums call out to you.. no, it wasn’t indigestion!” In junior high school, Bob spoke of an epiphany that he had.. “I remember asking myself.. what do I want to do with the rest of my life? and then answering myself with *well, what do you want to do and what do you love to do?.. the answer was to MAKE MUSIC” While at Venice High Bob studied baritone saxophone and in the fall auditioned for and got the Bari Sax chair in the dance band and played all through school in both the marching band on drums and on sax in orchestra and dance band. On the weekends Bob had out 5 piece party band where he fronted the band, sang lead and wrote songs to perform live. “My first real job playing music came in the early 70’s with Buck Rams Original Platter vocal group. We travelled the chitterling circuit all through the south and down to Florida. That was an experience of a life time. It all snowballed from there. I sang and played baritone sax in various R&B bands in my early days all across the U.S. with people like the Platters, the Emotions, Arby Greeves, The Temptations, Rufas Thomas’s daughter Carla, Wilson Pickett, and so many other R&B greats— but my natural talents were with rhythm instruments. Latin percussion came easy to me. I would hear it and I could play it, simple as that”. I still sing, play Latin percussion instruments (Congas, Bongos, Timbales and Toys). I produce records. I write! If you listen to Donna Summers "Bad Girls" album and you will hear not only my percussive work but also my song writing. I love that lady. She was always generous and good nature, kind and loving to me and to everyone that really knew her.. she remains one of my favorite all time people.