# Neil Conti

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**Neil Conti** (born 12 February 1959) is an English drummer and music producer best known as a member of the English [pop](/source/Pop_music) band [Prefab Sprout](/source/Prefab_Sprout) (1983–1993, 2000). As an in-demand session drummer, he has collaborated with acts such as [David Bowie](/source/David_Bowie), [Mick Jagger](/source/Mick_Jagger), [Annie Lennox](/source/Annie_Lennox), [Cher](/source/Cher), [Level 42](/source/Level_42), [Laurie Anderson](/source/Laurie_Anderson), [Steve Winwood](/source/Steve_Winwood), [Paul Young](/source/Paul_Young_(singer_and_guitarist)), [Youssou N'dour](/source/Youssou_N'dour), [Brian Eno](/source/Brian_Eno), [Robert Palmer](/source/Robert_Palmer_(singer)), [Deep Forest](/source/Deep_Forest), and [Will Young](/source/Will_Young).

## Early life

Born to musically-orientated parents, the six-year-old Conti was trained as a classical pianist at their encouragement.[1] He became interested in performing after seeing his cousin [Morgan Fisher](/source/Morgan_Fisher) onstage as [keyboardist](/source/Keyboard_instrument) for [Mott the Hoople](/source/Mott_the_Hoople), feeling it looked like "much more fun than doing four hours of piano scales every day".[1][2] Twelve years old at the time and inspired by the band's drummer, [Dale Griffin](/source/Dale_Griffin), he started playing drums and, over the next few years, gained some drumming experience with numerous local rock bands while showing an interest in jazz and soul music.

## Career

After completing a diploma in graphic design, Conti moved to [London](/source/London), where his musical apprenticeship included a range of styles such as [reggae](/source/Reggae), [calypso](/source/Calypso_music) and [funk](/source/Funk). Among the early bands in which he drummed were [Linx](/source/Linx_(band)), Tropicana Steel Band, [Kokomo](/source/Kokomo_(band)) and Combo Passe as well as various recording sessions with such artists such as [Pauline Black](/source/Pauline_Black) and [Carl Douglas](/source/Carl_Douglas). In a 1988 interview, he listed [Stix Hooper](/source/Stix_Hooper) of [the Crusaders](/source/The_Crusaders_(jazz_fusion_group)) and Ronnie "Diamond" Hoard of [Ohio Players](/source/Ohio_Players) as among his drumming influences.[3]

In late 1983, Conti joined Prefab Sprout as drummer after hearing [Paddy McAloon](/source/Paddy_McAloon) being interviewed on [Richard Skinner](/source/Richard_Skinner_(broadcaster))'s show on [BBC Radio 1](/source/BBC_Radio_1) and calling the office of [Kitchenware Records](/source/Kitchenware_Records) to offer his services.[3] He remained a member of the band for the next decade and featured on their successful studio albums *[Steve McQueen](/source/Steve_McQueen_(album))*, *[From Langley Park to Memphis](/source/From_Langley_Park_to_Memphis)*, *[Protest Songs](/source/Protest_Songs_(album))* and *[Jordan: The Comeback](/source/Jordan:_The_Comeback)*. With Prefab Sprout, he toured the UK and Europe and was acting as the band's live [MD](/source/Music_director) by 1990.[4] Conti considered *Protest Songs* a personal highlight, declaring "I would also probably put it up there near the top if someone asked which drumming performances I have been happiest with. It's one of the few albums I have done where I can bear to listen without flinching from 'hearing that bit that I could've done better'".[4] Conti did not appear on *[Andromeda Heights](/source/Andromeda_Heights)* (1997), Prefab Sprout's sixth album that followed several years of inactivity, but he rejoined the band for their 2000 tour.[5]

During his tenure with Prefab Sprout, Conti also became a [session musician](/source/Session_musician), playing on records by many well-known artists. He backed [David Bowie](/source/David_Bowie) in the 1985 sessions that produced "[Absolute Beginners](/source/Absolute_Beginners_(David_Bowie_song))" and "That’s Motivation" for the *[Absolute Beginners](/source/Absolute_Beginners_(film))* soundtrack.[3][6] He featured on two further Bowie recordings – "[Dancing in the Street](/source/Dancing_in_the_Street)" with [Mick Jagger](/source/Mick_Jagger) and "[Chilly Down](/source/Labyrinth_(1986_soundtrack))" – and played in Bowie's band for his [Live Aid](/source/Live_Aid) set in July 1985.[4] In late 1987, Conti performed with [Level 42](/source/Level_42) on their USA tour after [Phil Gould](/source/Phil_Gould_(musician)) departed the band.[7] In 1993, he released *Funky Drums From Hell*, an album of soul grooves intended for [sampling](/source/Sampling_(music)).[2]

In 1989, Conti and Raye Cosbert (who later become promoter of [Massive Attack](/source/Massive_Attack) and manager of [Amy Winehouse](/source/Amy_Winehouse)) started "Backstage", a live bi-weekly music club for artists to meet and jam together.[8] Neil's motivation was the closing of the famous [Speakeasy Club](/source/Speakeasy_Club) - a popular watering hole for London musicians to meet up. The club was based at the Borderline in [Charing Cross Road](/source/Charing_Cross_Road), later moving to the [Jazz Café](/source/Jazz_Caf%C3%A9) in [Camden](/source/Camden_Town). The club spawned many imitations in the [Soho](/source/Soho) area and became a hotbed of talent and [A&R](/source/Artists_and_repertoire) men, launching the careers of Ronnie Jordan, [Seal](/source/Seal_(musician)), [Keziah Jones](/source/Keziah_Jones), [Juliet Roberts](/source/Juliet_Roberts) and [D-Influence](/source/D-Influence) among others. The club was featured in an [MTV](/source/MTV) documentary and recorded a live CD, sponsored by [Levi's](/source/Levi's).[9] Conti terminated the club in 1992 due to time constraints and conflicts with his session work.

Following a move to [France](/source/France) in 2001, Conti opened a recording studio in [Montpellier](/source/Montpellier), where he produces artists. Still an active drummer, he frequently travels to London to work or, alternatively, provides drum tracks by internet from his studio in France. The studio, [Minimoon](http://www.minimoonstudio.com), is staffed by him and recording engineer Jeff Fernandez.

## Selected credits

- *You're My Number One* - [Nils Landgren](/source/Nils_Landgren_(musician)) (1985)
- *Steve McQueen* - [Prefab Sprout](/source/Prefab_Sprout) (1985)
- *Protest Songs* - Prefab Sprout (1985)
- *From Langley Park To Memphis* - Prefab Sprout (1987)
- *Jordan: The Comeback* - Prefab Sprout (1990)
- "[Dancing in the Street](/source/Dancing_in_the_Street)" - [David Bowie](/source/David_Bowie) and [Mick Jagger](/source/Mick_Jagger) (1985)
- *[Absolute Beginners: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack](/source/Absolute_Beginners_(soundtrack))* - David Bowie (1986)
- *[Boat to Bolivia](/source/Boat_to_Bolivia)* - [Martin Stephenson and the Daintees](/source/Martin_Stephenson_and_the_Daintees) (1986)
- *[Hello Angel](/source/Hello_Angel)* - [Sandie Shaw](/source/Sandie_Shaw) (1988)
- *Surprise* - [Syd Straw](/source/Syd_Straw) (1989)
- *[Trading Secrets with the Moon](/source/Trading_Secrets_with_the_Moon)* - [The Adventures](/source/The_Adventures) (1989)
- *The Same Sky* - [Horse](/source/Horse_McDonald) (1990)
- *[Uncertain Pleasures](/source/Uncertain_Pleasures)* - [Mary Coughlan](/source/Mary_Coughlan_(singer)) (1990)
- *[Other Voices](/source/Other_Voices_(Paul_Young_album))* - [Paul Young](/source/Paul_Young) (1990)
- *Dreamworld* - [Steve Booker](/source/Steve_Booker_(producer)) (1990)
- *[Hoodoo](/source/Hoodoo_(Alison_Moyet_album))* - [Alison Moyet](/source/Alison_Moyet) (1991)
- *Le Manteau de pluie* - [Jean-Louis Murat](/source/Jean-Louis_Murat) (1991)
- *Ser de Agua* - [Presuntos Implicados](/source/Presuntos_Implicados) (1991)
- *[Whaler](/source/Whaler_(album))* - [Sophie B. Hawkins](/source/Sophie_B._Hawkins) (1994)
- *[Medusa](/source/Medusa_(Annie_Lennox_album))* - [Annie Lennox](/source/Annie_Lennox) (1995)
- *[Feeler](/source/Feeler_(Marcella_Detroit_album))* - [Marcella Detroit](/source/Marcella_Detroit) (1996)
- *Elena* - [Maggie Reilly](/source/Maggie_Reilly) (1996)
- *[Am I the Kinda Girl?](/source/Am_I_the_Kinda_Girl%3F)* - [Cathy Dennis](/source/Cathy_Dennis) (1996)
- *[Comparsa](/source/Comparsa_(album))* - [Deep Forest III](/source/Deep_Forest) (1998)
- *[Live the Life](/source/Live_the_Life)* - [Michael W. Smith](/source/Michael_W._Smith) (1998)
- *[Friday's Child](/source/Friday's_Child_(album))* - [Will Young](/source/Will_Young) (2003)
- *[Keep On](/source/Keep_On)* - Will Young (2005)
- *[Future Past](/source/Future_Past_(Duncan_James_album))* - [Duncan James](/source/Duncan_James) (2006)
- *[Moon Landing](/source/Moon_Landing_(album))* - [James Blunt](/source/James_Blunt) (2013)
- *[8](/source/8_(Luis_Fonsi_album))* - [Luis Fonsi](/source/Luis_Fonsi) (2015)

## References

1. Gott, Ben (September 2003). ["Conti interview"](https://mouthymagazine.tripod.com/neilconti.htm). *Mouthy*. Retrieved 7 May 2022.

1. Braund, Simon (March 1993). ["Neil Conti"](https://www.sproutology.co.uk/interviews/neil-conti-in-rhythm-magazine-simon-braund-march-1993/). *Rhythm Magazine*. Retrieved 3 May 2022.

1. Henrit, Bob (1988). ["Prefab Sprout"](https://www.sproutology.co.uk/interviews/neil-conti-in-rhythm-magazine-simon-braund-march-1993/). *International Musician and Recording World*. Retrieved 3 May 2022.

1. Findlay, Graham. ["Neil Conti Interview - November 2015"](https://www.sproutology.co.uk/graham-findlay-neil-conti-interview-november-2015/). *Sproutology*. Retrieved 9 April 2020.

1. Jordan, McLachlan (September 2000). ["Sprouting Up Again"](https://www.sproutology.co.uk/interviews/jordan-mclachlan-rhythm-magazine-september-2000/). *Rhythm Magazine*. Retrieved 3 May 2022.

1. Pegg, Nicholas (2016). [*The Complete David Bowie*](https://books.google.com/books?id=LqFkDQAAQBAJ). Expanded and Updated ed. London: Titan Books. p. 13. ISBN 978-1-78565-365-0. Retrieved 7 May 2022.

1. ["Rock Over London"](https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/80s/1987/M&M-1987-11-07.pdf). *[Music & Media](/source/Music_%26_Media)*. Vol. 4, no. 44. London, England: Billboard Publications, Inc. 7 November 1987. p. 6. Retrieved 12 April 2019.

1. ["Sprout plans label"](https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Week-IDX/IDX/1991/MW-1991-04-20-IDX-6.pdf#search=%22neil%20conti%22). *Music Week*. 20 April 1991. Retrieved 4 May 2022.

1. Smith, Gary (7 April 1990). ["Update"](https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-UK/Music/Archive-Music-Media-IDX/IDX/90s/90/MM-1990-04-07-OCR-Page-0014.pdf#search=%22neil%20conti%22). *Music & Media*. Retrieved 4 May 2022.

## External links

- [Minimoon Recording Studio](http://www.minimoonstudio.com)
- [Neil Conti on *Discogs.com*](http://www.discogs.com/artist/Neil+Conti)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Neil Conti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Conti) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Conti?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.