Bruce Sudano

Bruce Charles Sudano (born September 26, 1948) is an American musician and songwriter noted for creating songs for artists such as Michael Jackson, Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, and his late wife, the Grammy Award-winning singer Donna Summer. Sudano is the founder of indie record label Purple Heart Recording Company. Early life Sudano was born in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York City, to Margaret Alessio (1924–2012) and Louis Sudano (1923–2008). At the age of four, Sudano learned to play his first instrument, the accordion. He later taught himself 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 popular New York City nightclubs. While playing at the Cheetah, Sudano met Tommy James of Tommy James and the Shondells and became his protégé. While working his way through college at St. John's University, where he earned a BA in theater, Sudano learned to craft songs with James at Allegro Studios.