Carl Restivo is an American musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, and DJ. His abilities as a lead singer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards) have landed him on tour with such artists as: Tom Morello, Rihanna, & Perry Farrell‘s Satellite Party. Carl has also been asked to work together with some incredible artists in the studio.
Most recently, Carl was the production supervisor on Tom Morello’s album The Atlas Underground. Released in the fall of 2018, it featured Knife Party, Pretty Lights, Steve Aoki, RZA, GZA, Portugal the Man, Marcus Mumford, Killer Mike, Whethan, Vic Mensa, and Carl Restivo himself on the song “Vigilante Nocturno”, which he also produced (as well as “Lucky One”, featuring K.Flay). Carl is Tom’s Musical Director.
Restivo also co-wrote “Go All The Way (Into The Twilight)” with Perry Farrel, for the Twilight original motion picture soundtrack.
Working hand-in-hand with Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Restivo had a special creative influence in helping develop and record Jean’s 2003 album, The Preacher’s Son. Restivo & Jean co-wrote “Linda” for the record, which also featured Carl.
Carl Restivo has the distinct honor of being the uncredited acoustic (rhythm & lead) guitarist on the worldwide smash hit “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean.
Carl has also recorded, produced and/or written songs with Perry Farrell, Tom Morello Jerry Wonda, 50 Cent, Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, Jerry Cantrell, Mick Mars, Dug Pinnick, Steve Perry, Patti LaBelle, Buju Banton, Big Pun, Peter Gunz, Corey Gunz, Kurupt, Xzibit, K.Flay, Ryan Harvey, Shane Rider, and Love Ghost.
Restivo has also performed lead vocals and/or guitar or bass with such artists as Rihanna, Slash, Ben Harper, Trent Reznor, Billy Idol, Taio Cruz, Jason Derulo, Stewart Copeland, Steve Vai, Mick Mars, Jason Bonham, Travis Barker, Flea, Dave Navarro, Juliette Lewis, Kris Kristofferson, Jackson Browne, Sammy Hagar, Iggy Pop, Robbie Krieger, Ray Manzarek, John Densmore, Graham Nash, Deborah Harry, Gilby Clarke,Peter DiStefano, Stephen Perkins, Cypress Hill, Joe Satriani, Wayne Kramer, Davey Havok, Jill Sobule, Shooter Jennings, Napoleon Murphy Brock, and Mike Keneally.
His film and television credits include: NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien, CBS‘s Late Show with David Letterman, NBC’s The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, ABC’s The Ellen DeGeneres Show, NBC’s Saturday Night Live, NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon NBC’s Last Call with Carson Daly, ABC’s Good Morning America, ABC’s The View, ABC’s Dancing with the Stars, CBS’s The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, Fox’s 2010 Teen Choice Awards, NBC‘s The Apprentice, and BBC’s Radio 1’s Big Weekend.
In 2006, Carl moved from New York to Los Angeles to follow his dream, while also aiming to help young musicians and artists along the way. Restivo accepting the Music Director position of the new Paul Green School of Rock in Hollywood, California at the request of Paul Green himself. “I love working with kids and inspiring them to get all the way into music at a young age”, Restivo said. He left School of Rock in 2010 and co-founded The Rock School Scholarship Fund with film producer Wendy Winks, a 501(c)3 charity that helped pay full or partial tuition for financially needy students at any qualifying rock music oriented school in the United States.
