Bruce Sudano - Early Life

Early Life

Sudano was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York to Margaret and Louis Sudano. At the age of four Sudano learned to play his first instrument, the accordion, and often found himself practicing while his peers played outside. He also learned to play piano and guitar. He soon developed a reputation in his community as a talented musician and got his first paid gig at the age of twelve.

By the mid-1960s, Sudano was playing bass guitar in his first band Silent Souls. He spent much of his time rehearsing and was soon playing live shows at New York nightclubs.

While playing at the The Cheetah, Sudano met Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells. Sudano became the protégé of James, who had penned the classic pop song "Mony, Mony" While working his way through college at St. John's University, Sudano learned to craft songs with James at Allegro Studios.

In 1969, whilst still a teenager, Sudano scored his first hit on the music charts with the song "Ball of Fire" which he co-wrote with his mentor.