1972

Herb Kenny 1992 interview {The Ink Spots}

Minnie Riperton 1975 interview on Sammy & Company:

Sampling 1988

Tony Newton History

“Antonio (Tony) Newton, super genius, will go down in history as one of the most vital path-forgers of our era” …Music critic Randali of Mean Street Magazine.

Chances are you've heard Antonio (Tony) Newton. A Musicians Hall of Fame member (World Academy of Recording Musicians), A performer on over 25 million selling gold recordings with various artists from Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Gary Moore, Dionne Warrick, to name a few, as well as movie soundtracks, Officer and a Gentleman, Breathless and others. Newton as bassist, keyboardist, producer/composer, author stands as one of the most creative and progressive artists of this period.

Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, music and motor city, he began his career, first on piano at age seven, beginning professionally at age sixteen playing bass for blues legends John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Little Walter and others. This was not without receiving initial recognition as an accomplished saxophone and woodwinds player in various orchestras and ensembles. Newton gained swift acclaim as one of the Midwest’s most prominent bassists through his association with Motown records. Newton was discovered by Motown executive Hank Cosby while playing in Detroit Blues clubs at the age of 16(lovingly named the baby funk brother). He was chosen to replace James Jamerson as touring bassist with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles so that Jamerson could concentrate on studio recording exclusively, continuing in the tradition and inheriting the musical torch of his mentor and friend, bass legend, of the late great funk brother James Jamerson. Within two years Newton became Music Director. He also toured with all of the Motown artists such as: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Temptations, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Spinners, and others. While at Motown from time to time, playing with the “Funk Brothers” he left his trademark of solid, hard driving, and deftly clever grooves on such timeless hits as "Where Did Our Love Go", "Baby Love”, "Stop In The Name Of Love", "Nowhere to Run" on the east coast, and on the west coast, "ABC', “Never Can Say Goodbye”, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, and many others. Also a little unknown fact is that Newton and James Jamerson played together as 2 basses on the above Motown Hits. Newton was also the bassist for the famed 1965 European Motown Review tour, mentioned in the film, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown”. which also Newton can be heard.

In the following years, Newton has established himself as one of the most versatile bassist, composers and producers in his field. He has recorded and toured with rock, pop, r&b’s most celebrated figures, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson ( for whom he served as music director) Stevie Wonder, Little Richard and others. Newton was staff bassist for the talented songwriting-producing team Holland-Dozier-Holland and their Invictus-Hotwax label playing on several hits for artists, Freda Payne, 100 Proof, 8th Day, and others. Tony played on other Detroit recording studio-labels classic hits ie: Stax “The Dramatics, What You See is What You Get”, “Johnny Taylor’s, Part Time Lover”, and more! He also gained recognition for his performing and songwriting work as a member of the acclaimed jazz-rock fusionists Tony Williams Lifetime mentioned in the “Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll,” and British rock guitar veteran Gary Moore’s G-Force, writing and producing songs including the classics, “Snake Oil” and “Red Alert” for the former and “You Kissed Me Sweetly” for the latter. Degreed in music theory, composition and piano from Los Angeles City and Mt. St. Mary’s College of Los Angeles, Newton is also the author of over ten music and philosophy books, including the landmark “Novaphonics”, in seven volumes.

Additionally, Newton’s bass work is featured on Academy Award winning movie soundtracks to include “Breathless” and “An Officer and a Gentleman”. Performing professionally for over 3 legendary decades, from rock, funk, soul, fusion and new age jazz, from soundtracks to a Summit Symphony in seven movements, from inspiring solo piano and keyboard performances to masterly, heart thumping power-packed, high energy bass grooves, like we said earlier, chances are you’ve heard legendary bassist Antonio (Tony) Newton. Tony came full circle returning to his Detroit roots hit making music and legendary musician friends the “Funk Brothers”. Getting the call from Jack Ashford, Tony enlisted his longtime Motown friends drummer, Quentin Denard, and Guitarist Marvin Marshall. Tony and Quentin, known as the “Hit Masters” provide one of the most funkiest and solid groove making Bass/Drum teams in the history of the Motown era musical sound. Together with the guitar excellence of former Supremes Guitarist Marvin Marshall they represent and express the ultimate essence and spirit in concert with Jack Ashford, and the legendary Motown sound. Now Tony along with his Detroit friends have also mounted their own unique Motown production with “Raising Motown Family Funk”, promising to be another hit for Motown fans.

1984

MickyDolenz said:

Tony Newton History

“Antonio (Tony) Newton, super genius, will go down in history as one of the most vital path-forgers of our era” …Music critic Randali of Mean Street Magazine.

Chances are you've heard Antonio (Tony) Newton. A Musicians Hall of Fame member (World Academy of Recording Musicians), A performer on over 25 million selling gold recordings with various artists from Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Gary Moore, Dionne Warrick, to name a few, as well as movie soundtracks, Officer and a Gentleman, Breathless and others. Newton as bassist, keyboardist, producer/composer, author stands as one of the most creative and progressive artists of this period.

Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, music and motor city, he began his career, first on piano at age seven, beginning professionally at age sixteen playing bass for blues legends John Lee Hooker, Jimmy Reed, Little Walter and others. This was not without receiving initial recognition as an accomplished saxophone and woodwinds player in various orchestras and ensembles. Newton gained swift acclaim as one of the Midwest’s most prominent bassists through his association with Motown records. Newton was discovered by Motown executive Hank Cosby while playing in Detroit Blues clubs at the age of 16(lovingly named the baby funk brother). He was chosen to replace James Jamerson as touring bassist with Smokey Robinson and the Miracles so that Jamerson could concentrate on studio recording exclusively, continuing in the tradition and inheriting the musical torch of his mentor and friend, bass legend, of the late great funk brother James Jamerson. Within two years Newton became Music Director. He also toured with all of the Motown artists such as: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Martha and the Vandellas, Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Four Tops, Temptations, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5, Spinners, and others. While at Motown from time to time, playing with the “Funk Brothers” he left his trademark of solid, hard driving, and deftly clever grooves on such timeless hits as "Where Did Our Love Go", "Baby Love”, "Stop In The Name Of Love", "Nowhere to Run" on the east coast, and on the west coast, "ABC', “Never Can Say Goodbye”, “Don’t Leave Me This Way”, and many others. Also a little unknown fact is that Newton and James Jamerson played together as 2 basses on the above Motown Hits. Newton was also the bassist for the famed 1965 European Motown Review tour, mentioned in the film, “Standing in the Shadows of Motown”. which also Newton can be heard.

In the following years, Newton has established himself as one of the most versatile bassist, composers and producers in his field. He has recorded and toured with rock, pop, r&b’s most celebrated figures, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson ( for whom he served as music director) Stevie Wonder, Little Richard and others. Newton was staff bassist for the talented songwriting-producing team Holland-Dozier-Holland and their Invictus-Hotwax label playing on several hits for artists, Freda Payne, 100 Proof, 8th Day, and others. Tony played on other Detroit recording studio-labels classic hits ie: Stax “The Dramatics, What You See is What You Get”, “Johnny Taylor’s, Part Time Lover”, and more! He also gained recognition for his performing and songwriting work as a member of the acclaimed jazz-rock fusionists Tony Williams Lifetime mentioned in the “Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock & Roll,” and British rock guitar veteran Gary Moore’s G-Force, writing and producing songs including the classics, “Snake Oil” and “Red Alert” for the former and “You Kissed Me Sweetly” for the latter. Degreed in music theory, composition and piano from Los Angeles City and Mt. St. Mary’s College of Los Angeles, Newton is also the author of over ten music and philosophy books, including the landmark “Novaphonics”, in seven volumes.

Additionally, Newton’s bass work is featured on Academy Award winning movie soundtracks to include “Breathless” and “An Officer and a Gentleman”. Performing professionally for over 3 legendary decades, from rock, funk, soul, fusion and new age jazz, from soundtracks to a Summit Symphony in seven movements, from inspiring solo piano and keyboard performances to masterly, heart thumping power-packed, high energy bass grooves, like we said earlier, chances are you’ve heard legendary bassist Antonio (Tony) Newton. Tony came full circle returning to his Detroit roots hit making music and legendary musician friends the “Funk Brothers”. Getting the call from Jack Ashford, Tony enlisted his longtime Motown friends drummer, Quentin Denard, and Guitarist Marvin Marshall. Tony and Quentin, known as the “Hit Masters” provide one of the most funkiest and solid groove making Bass/Drum teams in the history of the Motown era musical sound. Together with the guitar excellence of former Supremes Guitarist Marvin Marshall they represent and express the ultimate essence and spirit in concert with Jack Ashford, and the legendary Motown sound. Now Tony along with his Detroit friends have also mounted their own unique Motown production with “Raising Motown Family Funk”, promising to be another hit for Motown fans.

Thanks for the info and ad on tony.

MickyDolenz said:

Minnie Riperton 1975 interview on Sammy & Company:

Awww! Sweet Minnie! She always looked at the glass 1/2 full even when it involved a lion. Beautiful spirit! R.I.P., angel. xo

Michael Henderson March 2012 interview

Superstars & Their Moms ~ Stevie Wonder {1988}