Jacques Ponti, the producer and songwriter known for collaborating with Bon Jovi and Alice Cooper, has died at the age of 66.
The New Jersey native died Monday, according to an obituary published by the Asbury Park Press. The cause of death was not mentioned.
Ponti, born Giacomo Pontoriero in Newark, was a resident of Red Bank.
“Jack had the rare ability to make people feel valued and valued, both in the music studio and at home,” the obituary said. “His generosity extended far beyond his family, as he was always willing to offer advice, lend a helping hand or simply bring laughter to those around him.”
The musician’s career began in the late 1970s when he played guitar alongside singer Jon Bon Jovi in a band called Rest. This was before Bon Jovi became widely popular in the 1980s.
Rest never received a major recording deal although they received support from larger New Jersey acts such as Southside Johnny and the E Street Band.
The group ended up splitting up, but Ponti and Bon Jovi stayed in touch, eventually co-writing “Shot Through the Heart” from Bon Jovi’s self-titled debut album in 1984.
Ponty went on to help write songs for Alice Cooper, Kane Roberts, Keel, Trixter, Bonfire, Babylon AD, and more. He also produced albums by rock and metal acts Baton Rouge, Kitty, Otep and Dora Bisch. She worked with Skid Row in Toms River in its early days and managed R&B singer India Arie.
The musician is survived by his wife, Tatiana, his daughter, Neva, his granddaughter, Jordyn, and his sister, Nikki.
Christopher Burch can be reached at cburch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @SwishBurch. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Do you have any advice? Tell us. nj.com/tips/.
