Jack Ponti, a producer and songwriter who penned hits for Bon Jovi and Alice Cooper, died Monday, Oct. 7, 2024, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. He was 66 years old.
"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," read an obituary published in Ponti's native New Jersey.
Born Giacomo Pontoriero in Newark, New Jersey, Ponti got his start in the late '70s as the guitarist for rock band The Rest. He played alongside a pre-fame Jon Bon Jovi, who was the group's vocalist.
Unfortunately, despite support from Southside Johnny and the E Street Band, The Rest could never land a record deal. They would eventually split up "after much frustration and depression," Ponti told Metal Sludge in a 2005 interview.
"We were supposed to be the 'Next Big Thing' out of Asbury Park, but we never made it outside of Asbury Park and even that was sketchy," he said.
A demo produced by Billy Squier also amounted to nothing, Ponti said. "Of course I owe a giant f- you to Billy Squier for making us round up three thousand dollars for him to produce our demo and then after he made it big, told me and Jon to stop bothering him."
He harbored no ill will for Bon Jovi, however. "I owe much to Jon and love and respect him as a person, musician, businessman and friend," he said. "The length and depth of his career is astonishing and he deserves it."
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After The Rest went their separate ways, Jon Bon Jovi went on to found a little rock band named after him. But he didn't forget his former bandmate. Ponti even co-wrote "Shot Through the Heart" from the band's 1984 self-titled debut.
He also wrote songs for his "boyhood idol," shock rocker Alice Cooper, as well as glam metal legends Skid Row. In 1998, he founded CazzyDog Management and became the manager for Grammy-winning R&B artist India Arie.
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