Draft:Bill Bonk

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Bill Bonk is an American recording artist, multi-instrumentalist musician known for his band, The Brothers Figaro[1], and as a touring sideman for John Prine[2], Susanna Hoffs, Ron Sexsmith and Grant Lee Buffalo.[3]

Personal Life[edit]

Bonk was raised in the San Fernando Valley[3], a suburb of Los Angeles, California, and lived in Laurel Canyon for several years.[4]

Music[edit]

The Brothers Figaro at home in Studio City, California 1988

Along with Phil Parlapiano, Bonk was a member of The Brothers Figaro. This critically acclaimed[5] acoustic folk/pop band signed to Geffen Records and released one album in 1990, Gypsy Beat[6]." The recording features contributions from David Lindley, Edie Brickell, Nils Lofgren, Van Dyke Parks, and Kenny Edwards[6]. Bonk has also released two solo albums, Spaghetti Western (1996)[7][5] released on P-Vine Records in Japan, and Eveningshade (2001)[7].

As a touring musician in the 1990s, Bonk worked with John Prine,[8] Susanna Hoffs, Aimee Mann, Lisa Loeb,[9] Ron Sexsmith, and Bryndle. He was a member of Warner Bros. recording artists Grant Lee Buffalo[4] 1998-1999.

Television[edit]

Bonk has performed as a multi-instrumental sideman on a number of national television programs including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,[10][11] The Late Show with David Letterman[12] and Austin City Limits.[13]

Bonk appears in the music video for John Prine's "Picture Show[14]", two music videos for Ron Sexsmith, and as a nightclub musician in the 2024 Netflix series The Brothers Sun.

Discography[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Locey, Bill (January 10, 1991). "That's Italian?: The Brothers Figaro aren't brothers and their names aren't Figaro. but one thing's for sure--this band knows how to play". The Los Angeles Times. pp. 4–5.
  2. ^ Sanz, Cynthia (June 29, 1992). "Special Delivery - Ex-mailman John Prine proves he can still carry a message". People. p. 62.
  3. ^ a b Igarashi, Tadd (2022). "Bill Bonk". Scenes from the West Coast Rock (in Japanese). Japan: Shinko Music Entertainment Company, Ltd. pp. 232–236. ISBN 978-4-401-65203-7.
  4. ^ a b "Music Teacher Leads Weekly Saturday Night Porch Concerts". spectrumnews1.com. Retrieved 2023-11-17.
  5. ^ a b Turman, Katherine (February 11, 1994). "Local Music Focus". BAM. p. 14.
  6. ^ a b Brothers Figaro - Gypsy Beat Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic, retrieved 2023-10-24
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Bill "Luigi" Bonk | Credits". All Music.
  8. ^ Prine, John (2017). John Prine Beyond Words. Oh Boy Records. p. 50. ISBN 9-780692-740163.
  9. ^ Pringle, Gill (May 15, 2020). "Bill Bonk's Quarantine Concerts". SeniorPlanet.org. Retrieved November 16, 2023.
  10. ^ "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Los Angeles, California. 1996-10-28. NBC.
  11. ^ "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno". The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Los Angeles, California. 1999-11-24. NBC.
  12. ^ "The Late Show with David Letterman". The Late Show with Jay Leno. New York, New York. 1998-06-25. CBS.
  13. ^ "The Best of John Prine". Austin City Limits. Austin, Texas. 2020-10-03. 31:54 minutes in. PBS.
  14. ^ Prine, John (1991). "Picture Show". YouTube.