Jack Ponti — a producer and songwriter who worked with iconic rock acts such as Bon Jovi, Alice Cooper, Nelson and Skid Row — has died. He was 66.
Ponti died on Monday, Oct. 7, his obituary states. A cause of death was not revealed.
“While widely recognized for his musical genius, it was his boundless love for his family, generosity of spirit, and fierce loyalty that truly defined him,” the obituary reads. “His warmth and wisdom will continue to resonate through the countless lives he touched, long after the music fades.”
Born Giacomo Pontoriero on Feb. 16, 1958 in Newark, New Jersey, Ponti took an interest in music at a young age.
“His early passion for the guitar led him into a remarkable career,” the musician’s obituary reads.
Ponti’s career started in the late 1970s when he played guitar alongside singer Jon Bon Jovi in a band called Rest, nj.com reported. This was before Bon Jovi became widely popular in the 1980s. Rest never landed a major recording deal, but the group did get support from bigger New Jersey acts Southside Johnny and the E Street Band.
After the group disbanded, Ponti and Bon Jovi stayed in touch. They went on to co-write “Shot Through the Heart” from Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut album in 1984.
Ponti later wrote songs for Alice Cooper, Keel, Bonfire, Babylon A.D. and more. He produced albums for rock and metal acts Baton Rouge, Kittie, Otep and Doro, according to his AllMusic credits. Ponti also worked with Toms River’s Skid Row in its early days and managed R&B singer India Arie.
Ponti is survived by his wife, Tatyana, his daughter, Neva, his granddaughter, Jordyn, and his sister Nikki, according to his obituary.
