#SouthsieJohnnyAndThezasburyJukes

[vickiabelson]

****TODAY SPECIAL TIME 1 PM PT/ 4 PM ET****

Today LIVE - special time for an old friend. I’ve known bassist John Conte for 4 decades, the first two of which he played regularly at every venue I booked. Starting at The Rock ’N Roll Cafe on Bleecker Street, 1/2 of The Brothers of Conte, as I affectionately came to call them, with his brother Steve, they were weekly regulars whenever their schedules allowed. John was in Blood, Sweat & Tears, or maybe this was just after? During their tenure at the Rock ’N Roll, late one rainy night they brought in their friend, Phoebe Snow, a life changer for me who had been a diehard fan since high school. The Phoeb’s and I became fast friends, and I have the boys to thank for that as well as for years of amazing live music there, and at Spo-dee-o-dee’s, Woody’s, RockGirl, The Marquee, The Cafe Wha, True Blue and The China Club, where they were also a part of my RockGirl Jam Band. A stellar bassist, with an easy temperament and oh so easy on the eyes, it was always a joy when John was around. 

Coming from a musical family, his mother, Rosemary, is an accomplished jazz singer, and his brother, Steve, is an amazing guitarist and vocalist and the two began making music together as kids. They’ve had innumerable bands together since, including The Conte Brothers, The Hudson River Rats, The Crown Jewels, Company of Wolves, and The Contes.

A seasoned session musician, John’s studio work included working with Tony Visconti and David Bowie, he appears on LPs by Peter Wolf, Ian Hunter, Rachel Yamagata, Steve Forbert, and Garland Jeffries to name some. 

John toured with Joan Osborne, spent a year on the road with Roseanne Cash, and has been playing with Southside Johnny and Asbury Jukes since 2008. He’s taken the stage with Springsteen for an impromptu 45 min set, he’s jammed with Cyndi Lauper, Carole King, Etta James, Julian Lennon, and Willy Deville to name a few.  He’s performed perform with Jon Bon Jovi, Rachael Yamagata, Natalie Merchant, Patti Smith, Marshall Crenshaw, Sarah Bareilles, Ian Hunter, John Waite, Marc Cohn, Jeff Golub, Paul Shaffer, Rita Wilson, Steven Van Zandt, Felix Cavaliere, Donovan, Chuck Berry, Howard Tate, Darlene Love, Eddie Brigati, Al Kooper, Denny Laine, Leslie West, Willie Nile, Peter Yarrow & David Johansen.

It’s been over 30 years since I’ve seen my old friend. To say I’m looking forward to this is a crazy understatement. John is an understated fellow, and this may be his first long-form solo interview. Hope you join us for this momentous reunion. 

John Conte Live on Game Changers With Vicki Abelson 

****Wednesday, 1/29/25, 1 PM PT, 4 PM ET****

Streaming Live on my Facebook

WednesDaily by Toni Vincent & @peter_and_paul_ Cartoons