Renowned Music Executive Jack Ponti Passes Away at 66

Jack Ponti, a distinguished figure in the music industry known for his work as a musician, songwriter, and executive, has died at the age of 66. The news was announced by the podcast franchise BonJoviTalk on their official X account, formerly known as Twitter. The announcement stated, “Jack Ponti has sadly passed away at the age of 66. Jack was the guy who put Jon in the band ‘The Rest‘ and was a songwriter and producer for many other rock bands after this band folded. ‘Shot Through the Heart’ from the album ‘Bon Jovi’ is co-written with Jack Ponti too!”

Ponti’s career in the music industry spanned several decades, beginning as a guitarist in the late 1970s with the New Jersey band The Rest, which included a young Jon Bon Jovi. Over the years, Ponti built a substantial catalog of hits, collaborating with A-list artists. His songwriting credits include hits like “Shot Through the Heart” by Bon Jovi, “Somebody’s Waiting” by Keel, “Sweet Obsession” by Bonfire, “Hey Stoopid” and “Love’s A Loaded Gun” by Alice Cooper, along with several tracks for the artist Doro.

The legacy of Jack Ponti is not only reflected through his musical achievements but also through his personal relationships. He is mourned by his wife Tatyana, his daughter Neva, granddaughter Jordyn, and his sister Nikki. Ponti was predeceased by his parents, Anthony and Dorothy Pontoriero.

Ponti was known not only for his musical prowess but also for his generosity and commitment to family. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he grew up with a passion for music and compassion for the people around him. Friends and family remember him as a person who brought laughter and advice into the lives of those he encountered.

Funeral services are scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 10th, with visitation from 4 to 7 p.m. at Thompson Memorial Home in Red Bank, New Jersey. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Friday, October 11th, at St. James Church, with the burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Middletown.