Tony Newton (American musician)

Tony Newton
Background information
Birth nameAntonio Lloyd Newton
Born1948
OriginDetroit, Michigan, US
GenresRock, soul, R&B, jazz rock
Occupation(s)Musician, record producer, arranger
Instrument(s)Bass, keyboards, vocals
Years active1961–present
LabelsNCI Records, Novaphonic Records
Websitetonynewtonmusic.com

Antonio Lloyd "Tony" Newton (born 1948) is an electric bass player from Detroit, Michigan. Newton recorded and toured with The Jackson 5, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Diana Ross, Tony Williams, John Lee Hooker, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Joachim Kühn, Gary Moore, Allan Holdsworth and others.[1][2][3]

Newton began his career first on piano at age seven, beginning professionally at the age of thirteen, playing bass guitar with blues legends John Lee Hooker, T-Bone Walker and Little Walter.[4]

Newton was discovered by Motown executive Hank Cosby while playing in Detroit blues clubs at the age of 18. At Motown, James Jamerson taught Newton the ins and outs of his own bass playing style, so that Newton could travel with the Motortown Revue while Jamerson remained in Detroit for recording. The Motortown Revue toured the UK in 1965, in which Newton performed with artists such as The Supremes and Smokey Robinson.

  1. ^ Chaffin, Christina. "Motown Funk Brother Revisits Musical Roots". The Motown Vault. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  2. ^ Newton, Tony (2011). Gold Thunder: A Legendary Adventures of a Motown Bassman. Quantum Media Publishing.
  3. ^ "Antonio (Tony) Newton biography". Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  4. ^ "Art Vista™ Presents GROOVEMASTER – the Tony Newton Bass Libraries". Bass Musician. January 13, 2011. Retrieved February 7, 2015.