Tony Visconti

Through his acclaimed work with David Bowie and T. Rex, among others, Tony Visconti emerged as one of the most influential producers of the glam-rock era. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he began playing the ukelele at the age of five, learning to read music before picking up the guitar as a teen. After quitting high school at the age of 15, Visconti played the Catskills circuit in a band called Ricardo & the Latineers, eventually becoming one of the top guitarists on the New York City club scene. Upon joining a lounge act dubbed the Speedy Garfin Band, he toured the Southwest, followed by a stint in the revitalized Crewcuts; while performing in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he met his future wife and performing partner Siegrid, returning with her to New York City. As Tony & Siegrid, the duo debuted in 1967 with the local hit single "Long Hair"; after their second effort "Up Here" bombed, Visconti was offered the position of house producer with the Richmond Organization label.

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