Chris Longo

Chris Longo

chris1.longo@gmail.com

   2385 Seagull Ave, Ventura, Ca

Chris became involved in music at the age of 9, playing instruments ranging from trumpet to tuba. It was The Beatles, however, that ignited the desire to learn how to play guitar. Chris had the unique opportunity to see The Beatles perform at Dodger Stadium and he was hooked. While in school Chris was awarded two music scholarships, one of which was to study big band jazz with the Stan Kenton Orchestra at the University of Redlands. He switched to bass and started playing professionally while attending San Jose State University as a music major, playing many of the local clubs , then touring the country for a couple of years before ending up in Hollywood, CA.

In 1976 he received a call to audition as the bass player for Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods, renowned for their 1974 #1 hit record “Billy Don’t Be A Hero” and their follow-up hit “Who Do You Think You Are.” He was selected from among 100 other bass players competing for the position. Chris toured the U.S. performing in concerts and TV shows such as Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve with Bachman Turner Overdrive before deciding to return to L.A. to start his own band with some Heywoods alumni. His childhood home of Ventura County lured him back in 1983 where he joined a well known local band. During this time Chris also took the plunge into computers and audio recording, producing and recording artists' projects, soundtracks, and jingles.

After taking a few years off in the ‘90s to get married and raise triplets, Chris once again found his passion for music. He performs locally with various bands, headlined Ventura’s fireworks show year after year, as well as playing a number of local clubs and corporate parties.

Chris has recently rejoined Bo Donaldson & The Heywoods, performing all over the country along with other '60s/'70s artists such as Ron Dante (The Archies), Dennis Trufano (The Buckinghams), and Kyle Vincent (Bay City Rollers).