Bob Conti
Screen name: BobConti100
Neighborhood: Thousand Oaks

Writer, performer and producer Bob Conti has collaborated with stars such as Donna Summer, Diana Ross, Paul Simon and Richie Sambora. Current projects include producing Jose Feliciano’s new album.

Conti is group founder and leader of SingularCity.com’s Music Lovers group.

Q: Tell us about your musical background.

A: My father, a sax and keyboard player, was my musical inspiration. He left when I was young and I was raised by my mother, who was very supportive of my music. I grew up in Brooklyn, where there was a doo-wop a cappella group on every corner. Every night we sang — in the subway, after school — wherever there was an echo. Then I played drums in a marching band.

We moved to California and I continued with my music. My first week of college I joined The Platters. It all snowballed from there. I played baritone sax in R&B bands but my natural talents were with rhythm instruments. Latin percussion came easy to me. I would hear it and then play it, as simple as that.

I still sing, play Latin percussion and produce records. I also write. Listen to Donna Summer’s Bad Girls album and you will hear not only my percussive work but also my songwriting.

Q: Can you tell us about your collaboration and friendship with Jose Feliciano?

A: Jose and I have been friends since the early ’80s, when I was working in Las Vegas with Raquel Welch. After jamming in his home studio, we became best friends, almost brothers — I’m the godfather of his daughter Melissa. We both grew up in New York around the same time and shared the same musical tastes, the great R&B classic artists. On the road, we would both plug in our headsets and be instantly transported back to the wonderful music of our early years.

There was an inactive period in the ’90s when Jose was between record deals and the labels seemed to be more interested in boy bands catering to preteens. Jose was understandably down about that. But when I saw a TV interview where Jose was talking about retiring from the music business, I was in disbelief. I called him and he flew out from his home in Connecticut to stay with me in California. I told him, “Let’s work on some music together.”

We started working on our first project, The Genius of Jose Feliciano, with my friend and other brother, Wayne Boyer, a brilliant arranger and musician, who had a small studio. We put our heads and our hearts together and finished a beautiful album and now we’re working on the sequel. Since then, Jose’s spirits have never been higher, and he just snatched his eighth Grammy.

Q: How did you become involved in SingularCity?

A: “Lovely Linda” (itsdifferent4girls) has been a true friend to me over the years; she turned me on to the world of SingularCity, and I am grateful. I’ve met some wonderful people there.