I remember Bruce Conte of Tower of Power. He was a brilliant guitarist.🎸He added his talents to jazz. But l remembered him playing along side the great guitarist 🎸 AL Mc Kay of Earth Wind and Fire. His music 🎶 is a true gift from God. I love his playing style. He was truly a great musician. 👍 He will be truly missed. God rest him in peace . He is among the Heavenly stars. Thank you Mr.Bruce Conte for your music.🎶
You're makin' me cry. I'm a bass player and Tower has been the soundtrack of my life.Thank you for posting this video. Bruce was a brilliant guitar player indeed. I can tell you have been into TOP in a big way . So very Hard to go is a master piece.I love the way you play as well and knowing you are into Tower makes me like you even more
BB King once told Bruce that he was the best blues guitar player in the world. When BB says your the best, your the best. I love you Mr. Bruce Conte, I hope to see you on the other side. Rev: T.
Hi Josh, I love your playing! Thanks for this vid. I met Bruce in 1980 or '81 when my band opened for Jump Street. I asked Bruce for lessons and took 3 from him. He taught me the modes and some cool licks. He was so clean as a player, rhythmically precise, and with excellent note choices in his soloing. He never played beyond his chops or in a way that was too much for the song. Some years later he had a band with Lydia Pense (who I played with in the late 80s) and they had Victor Conte on bass. What a band! Bruce was always kind and friendly. My life is better because of him.~
Hey Josh, Love your channel. Bruce was my guitar teacher a long time ago. I can remember him working with me while he played the Gold top through his Rivera amp, very patient, always listened and man he could play with ease. I know he struggled with leukemia the final years of his life but he kept on moving forward, probably one of the biggest take-aways I got from him.....keep on moving. God Bless you for the tribute Josh. Be Well.
I didn’t know he passed.😢 Very sad. I met him in Japan in 1998 in Osaka. He was playing with the LA Allstars doing Earth, Wind and Fire tour with Al McKay.
Yes I was playing What is Hip in a Show Band at age 16. Can not deny that Bruce Conte was an important part of my Guitar Journey. Godbless you Bruce and thank you for the gift of some of the most awesome guitar chops on the Planet. Now R.I.P. You will be remembered for All Time Greats. Thanks Again.🎸🥰🙏❤🌹
Bruce was always very kind to me when he resided in P.I.,and have several of his solo Cd recording projects. Well I'd certainly say you have his style downpat *Thank-a-Slot.
My condolences to another guitar legend in the music world Bruce Conte belive he was from the valley town of Sanger Califas may you Rest in Eternal Peace 🎸🎵🎶🎼🎙🎷🎺 God Bless Rafarolas Reedley, Califatzlan 🎼Viva LA Musica 🎶🎼🎵
Thank you, I loved Bruce too. He played great solos ,underrated . They really had the great modern organ trio when when he Chester T and David G would break off and their trio thing. Just killer. Thanks again.
Dude. Just found this as I was wanting to pick up some T of P licks. This is awesome. cant thank you enough for sharing the double stops, voiceings etc. and insight into Bruce conte. Really amazing stuff. Thank you.
Omg thank you. I’m a former bassist (of course a Rocco devotee) whose favorite guitarist on earth has always been Bruce Conte. Your knowledge of theory and your touch help show the appreciation Conte deserves.
15 minutes of pure inspirational entertainment! Only got into ToP about 18 months ago (the 50th anniversary DVD/ CD). These are very good breakdowns of his parts. Thank you, Josh!
Thanks for the breakdowns, Josh. Love Bruce's solos on Squib Cakes, Don't Change Horses. Always believed the mark of a great musician is how his / her music is remembered. Bruce is remembered.
Great selection from a great artist who will certainly be missed. Love all the songs you chose, although I think I would have snuck "It can never be the same" in there somewhere. Thanks for remembering Bruce! :)
Hey Josh, thank you for this tribute to Bruce. Bruce was one of my teachers and friend. I was the guitar tech for Tower of Power from 2003 to 2009. If you are interested in more in depth analysis of TOP songs, you should contact Jeff Tamelier. Jeff played with TOP for almost 10 years and I was his tech. Jeff also took lessons from Bruce when he was a teenager. In 2005, Jeff left TOP and Bruce returned for a year, so I teched for both of them. Prior to TOP, Jeff was the guitarist for Mickey Thomas' Starship and Cold Blood.
Wow, what a great overview of some of Bruce's best stuff. Great choices too, though my favorite TOP will always be their early live album. I'm new to the channel and your playing (got here while doing a deep dive on Danny Gatton, something I do every few years...) and am very impressed. I sorta thought I was on an island with my love of Bruce's playing, so it's great to learn that there are others. I was lucky enough to see TOP several times in the early 80's in smaller club type settings and it was always incredible. So much going on! I mean, I was already a guitar player, making money at it even, but it was only after absorbing a lot of the more obvious elements of their sound that I began to understand just how special Bruce was and attempt to steal some of it. One of those guys that you know it's them immediately, within a note or two. That's the sign of a great player in my book. Individuality!
this is great for so many reasons..I love to T.O.P so this is an awesome tribute.. also You sound great, and as a guy that surfs youtube vids looking for examples and clean non overdriven tones, you, my friend are the first I've encountered that makes me actually want a les paul. Not that I dont love overdrive, its just that its the majority of LP ( and PRS) demos here.. this thing ( and you) sound fantastic!
This is not easy rhythm guitar three chord chops. I remember seeing Bruce at the Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno, CA. He was in high school at the time, too.
Hey Josh I just happened to look up Bruce’s name and came across your Chanel. Excellent I might add. Hope you think this story’s funny. It’s 1995-96 I think living in reseda. I’m a bar tender at top clubs. I come home late see I have a message. I’m new to Ca. From the east coast. My message says this is so and so from Earth Wind and Fire Bryce are you sick. I didn’t know his voice was so deep, another message claiming to be a top jazz musician from another big band. Being From Pa. I am skeptical like why are they calling me and why does everyone think this Bruce guy has a cold. I didn’t get it until I have another message. Hey Harry this is Bruce Conte from tower of power and I thunk you have my old number. Im like ok and next Brett Michaels from poison or Tom keiiffer from Cinderella I’s going to call. It’s like guys I’ve only just moved here but I’m from Pa, say a name I know. But any how Bruce left a new number. So I changed my message to hi this is Harry if your trying to reach Bruce here’s his new number. Now I remember it was the year 2000 and they were calling trying to get him on board for various festivals to jam and play on. Well after some time went by I get a call hey Harry this is Bryce. ( now weee friends). He was having a jam session at a club on Ventura Blvd. he invited me he had an all star cast of musicians. He introduced me to his girl friend - wife. The first thing she says I’d no women are calling that number. I’m like no miss and if they would I’d surely tell them they have the wrong number. But honestly early on I get this message from A sexy voice saying Bruce what happened to your voice. It thought this guy gets famous musicians and hot sounding women calling him at all hours of the night. I got to meat this legend they call Bruce. Hope my writing and penmenship weee ok. I always thought it was a cute story glad I had some one I feel would appreciate it. I know a lot of various musicians I call them friends another one you may know is Tim Warfield sax player we went to school together I brought it up once nor knowing the person I was talking to Plated and was amazed. You never know who knows who. Hope I didn’t bother you have a great day enjoy. Harry
Hey man, thanks for the badass lesson. In the first song are the chords D7(#9) and E7(#9) because the bass player is rooted in D? I assume thats why it wouldnt be F to G. Thanks!
Nice video, you've obviously spent a lot of time listening and dissecting Bruce's stuff. I think you missed some stuff on "Squib Cakes", and what you call a D11 in "So Very Hard To Go" I'd call an Am/D, but... Good stuff! Bruce Conte was one of those guys whose playing just "fit"; not a super-strong soloist, but his taste and penchant for doing the right thing at the right time, oh man, we should all aspire to that. The current guitarist in TOP, Jerry Cortez, is a bad motherf**ker, too! I've covered TOP tunes and I agree, there's some real "genius" stuff there; probably b/c they weren't "schooled" musicians, lol.
Love it, Bruce was my friend and we spent hundreds of hours together in the PI, have a few tunes he let me record in his hotel room last time I saw him - he is so missed Here's one ua-cam.com/video/XY1qCThgjWY/v-deo.html
Bruce conte was my wife's dad's uncle I have had many cups of coffee and live private shows with that man. He was an amazing person
What a nice tribute to one of the greatest gold-top tone beast to ever walk the planet. He is surely missed B.C. R.I.P.
Cool thanks Josh. Love Bruce Conte , tower of power.
One of my favorite videos ever. Josh Smith talking about Bruce conte. Amazing.
Yeah!! TOP has been my #1 for about 50 years! RIP Bruce Conti.
I remember Bruce Conte of Tower of Power. He was a brilliant guitarist.🎸He added his talents to jazz. But l remembered him playing along side the great guitarist 🎸 AL Mc Kay of Earth Wind and Fire. His music 🎶 is a true gift from God. I love his playing style. He was truly a great musician. 👍 He will be truly missed. God rest him in peace . He is among the Heavenly stars. Thank you Mr.Bruce Conte for your music.🎶
You're makin' me cry. I'm a bass player and Tower has been the soundtrack of my life.Thank you for posting this video. Bruce was a brilliant guitar player indeed. I can tell you have been into TOP in a big way . So very Hard to go is a master piece.I love the way you play as well and knowing you are into Tower makes me like you even more
BB King once told Bruce that he was the best blues guitar player in the world. When BB says your the best, your the best. I love you Mr. Bruce Conte, I hope to see you on the other side. Rev: T.
I'm from Oakland. It's great to see you give a nod to Bruce (and Rocco)!
Hi Josh, I love your playing! Thanks for this vid. I met Bruce in 1980 or '81 when my band opened for Jump Street. I asked Bruce for lessons and took 3 from him. He taught me the modes and some cool licks. He was so clean as a player, rhythmically precise, and with excellent note choices in his soloing. He never played beyond his chops or in a way that was too much for the song. Some years later he had a band with Lydia Pense (who I played with in the late 80s) and they had Victor Conte on bass. What a band! Bruce was always kind and friendly. My life is better because of him.~
Excellent breakdown of the man himself! Thank you!
one more subscriber... for now on tower of power ( bruce Conte) you are the best thank you
From PARIS 🇫🇷🗼FRANCE
Hey Josh, Love your channel.
Bruce was my guitar teacher a long time ago. I can remember him working with me while he played the Gold top through his Rivera amp, very patient, always listened and man he could play with ease. I know he struggled with leukemia the final years of his life but he kept on moving forward, probably one of the biggest take-aways I got from him.....keep on moving.
God Bless you for the tribute Josh.
Be Well.
Great selection, fantastic simple and restrained rhythm and tasteful lead work. Wonderful tone.
Thank you Josh! Bruce a masterful legend. R.I.P.
Brotha, Mr Conte is alive and well in your playin...You studied the master very well mr friend.... I bow to you brother... Peace & Gratitude to you...
I didn’t know he passed.😢 Very sad.
I met him in Japan in 1998 in Osaka. He was playing with the LA Allstars doing Earth, Wind and Fire tour with Al McKay.
Wow! Very rare to see TOP lessons on UA-cam. Thank You Josh! for the lesson and Tribute.
Yes I was playing What is Hip in a Show Band at age 16. Can not deny that Bruce Conte was an important part of my Guitar Journey. Godbless you Bruce and thank you for the gift of some of the most awesome guitar chops on the Planet. Now R.I.P. You will be remembered for All Time Greats. Thanks Again.🎸🥰🙏❤🌹
Love Tower of Power forever! Sorry to hear of your loss🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾Rest in peace Bruce🎸😢
This is great! Sax player in my dads wedding band introduced me to TOP when I was 16. Mind blowing.
Bruce was always very kind to me when he resided in P.I.,and have several of his solo Cd recording projects. Well I'd certainly say you have his style downpat *Thank-a-Slot.
I've always loved TOP and who wouldn't? The guitar work on those records is stellar. Well done.
Bruce paved the way for all of us guitar players that followed him in the best band on the planet.
Been listening to Tower since the early 70s, Bruce was the man.
My condolences to another guitar legend in the music world Bruce Conte belive he was from the valley town of Sanger Califas may you Rest in Eternal Peace 🎸🎵🎶🎼🎙🎷🎺 God Bless Rafarolas Reedley, Califatzlan 🎼Viva LA Musica 🎶🎼🎵
Thank you, I loved Bruce too. He played great solos ,underrated . They really had the great modern organ trio when when he Chester T and David G would break off and their trio thing. Just killer. Thanks again.
Hi Josh
I didn't know Bruce Conte passed away 😢 bless his Soul may he R.I.P ❤
Dude. Just found this as I was wanting to pick up some T of P licks. This is awesome. cant thank you enough for sharing the double stops, voiceings etc. and insight into Bruce conte. Really amazing stuff. Thank you.
Awesome Josh, thanks for sharing! RIP Bruce.
I love Tower of Power. Figured you would too. Thanks for the awesome tribute Josh!
Tone was amazing. I was lucky to hear this Man. Blew it when he taught lessons. My mistake.
Nice job, one of the greats. Saw original lineup multiple times 70s, sick live. Got to play w Lenny Pickett in 80s. Thanks for posting
Omg thank you. I’m a former bassist (of course a Rocco devotee) whose favorite guitarist on earth has always been Bruce Conte. Your knowledge of theory and your touch help show the appreciation Conte deserves.
thanks so much mr smith
Awesome Josh! He was one of my favorites also.
love this.
Don't know why I never heard it before, but his influence is all over the Don't Give Up album. Parts, pocket, so good. Thanks for this.
Great tribute. The photo was at a Jump Street rehearsal. One of Bruce’s bands after Tower. I was there with him at this rehearsal. Terri Conte…… ✝️💜
Terri, do you know Risa , Daughter of the road manager?
Great stuff. Loved his playing. We recorded So Very Hard...in ‘74.
Good stuff as usual Josh!
15 minutes of pure inspirational entertainment! Only got into ToP about 18 months ago (the 50th anniversary DVD/ CD). These are very good breakdowns of his parts. Thank you, Josh!
Outstanding player ! Great tribute! TY
Thanks for the breakdowns, Josh. Love Bruce's solos on Squib Cakes, Don't Change Horses. Always believed the mark of a great musician
is how his / her music is remembered. Bruce is remembered.
You bet!
Great tribute!
Great selection from a great artist who will certainly be missed. Love all the songs you chose, although I think I would have snuck "It can never be the same" in there somewhere. Thanks for remembering Bruce! :)
Nice work Josh! Bruce taught us about playing in the pocket in an ensemble situation. Your Les Paul tone sounds just like the man!
You broke this to me. Thanks for the props…super well done and well deserved.
Bruce's time and syncopation was amazing to say the least.
That IS the shit man. Great playing and great tribute!
Thanks for this video Josh! I…like you have listened and dug Bruce’s TOP playing forever. I also love his solo album…too much cool!!
Well done! Very moving.
Thanks for spotlighting this under sung guitar great
100% agreement. Conte was / is a great player.
Very interesting, Thank You for sharing
Hey Josh, thank you for this tribute to Bruce. Bruce was one of my teachers and friend. I was the guitar tech for Tower of Power from 2003 to 2009. If you are interested in more in depth analysis of TOP songs, you should contact Jeff Tamelier. Jeff played with TOP for almost 10 years and I was his tech. Jeff also took lessons from Bruce when he was a teenager. In 2005, Jeff left TOP and Bruce returned for a year, so I teched for both of them. Prior to TOP, Jeff was the guitarist for Mickey Thomas' Starship and Cold Blood.
Nice Les Paul, good sounds. I remember some of these songs. Lots of timing things going on and soloing off arpagio and bless scales
Nice tribute Josh! Cheers!!
Thank you!
Didn’t know he passed Top of my list
He and Dickie are my Goldtop guys
His solo in It Can Never Be The Same is in my top 10
Oh God, you just reminded me how big Tower of Power was in the east bay back then. Great music. Awesome playing.
Rad to see you on such form Josh! Thanks for opening my eyes to Tower of Power. Ruling rhythm and groove.
Hard to pick an order... all great tunes! I learned all of these grooves starting out on drums at age 14. Thanks for sharing the guitar licks Josh!
Awesome breakdown. That 🎸 neck position sounds so sick.
Couldnt said it better.....
Wow, what a great overview of some of Bruce's best stuff. Great choices too, though my favorite TOP will always be their early live album. I'm new to the channel and your playing (got here while doing a deep dive on Danny Gatton, something I do every few years...) and am very impressed.
I sorta thought I was on an island with my love of Bruce's playing, so it's great to learn that there are others. I was lucky enough to see TOP several times in the early 80's in smaller club type settings and it was always incredible. So much going on! I mean, I was already a guitar player, making money at it even, but it was only after absorbing a lot of the more obvious elements of their sound that I began to understand just how special Bruce was and attempt to steal some of it. One of those guys that you know it's them immediately, within a note or two. That's the sign of a great player in my book. Individuality!
wow, I DIDNT HEAR HE PASSED..hE WAS MY INFLUENCE..Great player
killer tribute. makes me wanna learn all that shit right now! plus, i never realized all that iconic funk guitar vocabulary was originated on a lp!!
this is great for so many reasons..I love to T.O.P so this is an awesome tribute.. also You sound great, and as a guy that surfs youtube vids looking for examples and clean non overdriven tones, you, my friend are the first I've encountered that makes me actually want a les paul. Not that I dont love overdrive, its just that its the majority of LP ( and PRS) demos here.. this thing ( and you) sound fantastic!
No better way to develop a groove than playing along with Tower albums.
watch you playin your latest album last night. keep on smokin
Thanks Josh! Bruce Conte’s the ultimate guitarist’s guitarist 🙏🏼 Oh btw, a BC personal fave of mine is Ebony Jam!
Do you do any lessons on Bruce Conte’s style he’s been my favorite funk 70s guitarist I’d love to learn how to get this feel.
Squib cakes one of the best solos
I gotta dig more into this!
This is not easy rhythm guitar three chord chops. I remember seeing Bruce at the Rainbow Ballroom in Fresno, CA. He was in high school at the time, too.
What is hip is the shit. So good, Bruce was a badass.
Hello Josh, has your Les Paul V neck ? Thank you man!
Hey Josh I just happened to look up Bruce’s name and came across your Chanel. Excellent I might add. Hope you think this story’s funny. It’s 1995-96 I think living in reseda. I’m a bar tender at top clubs. I come home late see I have a message. I’m new to Ca. From the east coast. My message says this is so and so from Earth Wind and Fire Bryce are you sick. I didn’t know his voice was so deep, another message claiming to be a top jazz musician from another big band. Being From Pa. I am skeptical like why are they calling me and why does everyone think this Bruce guy has a cold. I didn’t get it until I have another message. Hey Harry this is Bruce Conte from tower of power and I thunk you have my old number. Im like ok and next Brett Michaels from poison or Tom keiiffer from Cinderella I’s going to call. It’s like guys I’ve only just moved here but I’m from Pa, say a name I know. But any how Bruce left a new number. So I changed my message to hi this is Harry if your trying to reach Bruce here’s his new number. Now I remember it was the year 2000 and they were calling trying to get him on board for various festivals to jam and play on. Well after some time went by I get a call hey Harry this is Bryce. ( now weee friends). He was having a jam session at a club on Ventura Blvd. he invited me he had an all star cast of musicians. He introduced me to his girl friend - wife. The first thing she says I’d no women are calling that number. I’m like no miss and if they would I’d surely tell them they have the wrong number. But honestly early on I get this message from
A sexy voice saying Bruce what happened to your voice. It thought this guy gets famous musicians and hot sounding women calling him at all hours of the night. I got to meat this legend they call Bruce. Hope my writing and penmenship weee ok. I always thought it was a cute story glad I had some one I feel would appreciate it. I know a lot of various musicians I call them friends another one you may know is Tim Warfield sax player we went to school together I brought it up once nor knowing the person I was talking to
Plated and was amazed. You never know who knows who. Hope I didn’t bother you have a great day enjoy. Harry
The Real Guitars Burst is back!! I just got mine 2 months ago and it’s a truly eye opening experience.
@Eaze T Comparable to an R9
Josh try using an Am7 at the end of the B section (so very hard to gooooo).
Hey man, thanks for the badass lesson. In the first song are the chords D7(#9) and E7(#9) because the bass player is rooted in D? I assume thats why it wouldnt be F to G. Thanks!
Lot of Grant Green in there too
Nice video, you've obviously spent a lot of time listening and dissecting Bruce's stuff. I think you missed some stuff on "Squib Cakes", and what you call a D11 in "So Very Hard To Go" I'd call an Am/D, but... Good stuff! Bruce Conte was one of those guys whose playing just "fit"; not a super-strong soloist, but his taste and penchant for doing the right thing at the right time, oh man, we should all aspire to that. The current guitarist in TOP, Jerry Cortez, is a bad motherf**ker, too! I've covered TOP tunes and I agree, there's some real "genius" stuff there; probably b/c they weren't "schooled" musicians, lol.
I didn't know he passed
Love it, Bruce was my friend and we spent hundreds of hours together in the PI, have a few tunes he let me record in his hotel room last time I saw him - he is so missed
Here's one
ua-cam.com/video/XY1qCThgjWY/v-deo.html