Carl Restivo is an American born musician, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and record producer. His unique abilities as a lead singer and multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, drums, and keyboards) have landed him spots on tour with Rihanna, Tom Morello‘s Freedom Fighter Orchestra supporting The Nightwatchman, Perry Farrell‘s Satellite Party, and Street Sweeper Social Club.
As a producer/writer/arranger, Restivo’s skills with multiple instruments and genres have led to some of his most significant professional accomplishments. Restivo co-wrote a song with Perry Farrell called “Go All The Way (Into The Twilight)” that was released on the Twilight soundtrack. He also co-wrote and co-produced “Holla” from the soundtrack of the film Grandma’s Boy, and as an artist released “Hip-Hop in the Morning”, “Jersey Girl”, and “Never Enough” on the Rock the Paint soundtrack.
Working hand-in-hand with Wyclef Jean of The Fugees, Restivo had a special creative influence in helping to develop and record Jean’s 2003 The Preacher’s Son album. Restivo and Jean co-wrote the song “Linda” for the record and Restivo was one of the featured artists, an honor he shared with the likes of Carlos Santana, Missy Elliott, Redman, and other major artists.
Carl Restivo played the acoustic (rhythm and lead) guitar on the smash hit “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean. He has also recorded, produced and/or written songs with Perry Farrell, Tom Morello Jerry Wonda, 50 Cent, Kelly Rowland, Nuno Bettencourt, Gary Cherone, Cheryl James (Salt of Salt-N-Pepa), Mick Mars, Dug Pinnick, Dilana, Sully Erna (of Godsmack), Criss Angel, Steve Perry, Patti LaBelle, Buju Banton, Big Pun, Peter Gunz, Lord Tariq, Corey Gunz, Kurupt, Xzibit, Ed Palermo, The Monkey Boyz, Patricia Bernetti, Meleni Smith, Barry “Beama” Williams, Guy “Boogie” Rodriguez, Mixmaster KNS, Joey Heredia, Lorenzo Owens, and Stoll Vaughan.
As a guest artist, Restivo has contributed as a lead guitarist and vocalist with not only Wyclef Jean, but with The Ed Palermo Big Band, and as a bassist and background vocalist with Extreme
Restivo has also performed lead vocals and/or guitar or bass with such artists as Slash, Rihanna, Ben Harper, Trent Reznor, Billy Idol, Taio Cruz, Jason Derulo, Jerry Cantrell, 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.
In January 2006, Carl moved from New York to Los Angeles to follow his music dream while at the same time helping young rockers along the way by 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 the School in 2010, and co-founded The Rock School Scholarship Fund with film producer Wendy Winks, a 501(c)3 charity to pay full or partial tuition for financially needy students at any qualifying rock music oriented school in the United States.
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.
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