Billy Cioffi, seasoned veteran of the grueling and magnificent Los Angeles music scene, was born and raised in Albany, New York. At the age of 16 he was signed, along with his band, The Grey Things,  to New York-based Laurie Records. Had a top ten regional hit, and toured the East Coast corridor as the opening act for The Allman Brothers, The Velvet Underground, The Byrds, the Lovin’ Spoonful and The Rascals among many others.

After relocating to Los Angeles, he was asked to play and record with rockabilly legend Gene Vincent. Cioffi soon found himself doing recording sessions in Hollywood with the likes of “Sir Douglas” Sahm and members of his Quintet and various other session players for RCA Records. It was working with Vincent that Cioffi met Country-Rock pioneer Chris Darrow, who was at the time recording a solo LP with current Monte Carlo and collaborator Mickey McGee. Cioffi joined the band Hokus Pokus, who were signed to MGM Records and released one album which is now a highly sought after collector’s item.

Throughout the ‘70s, Cioffi busied himself with session work and songwriting, while acts including The Hello People and Mickey Gilley recorded his songs. “I was learning to be a writer,” he recalls, “It was not easy, and the competition was stiff.” 

In addition to writing music, Cioffi has also written and reported for music industry publications including Guitar World, Cream, Music Connection, College Musician and Hit Parade, among many others. Coffee table book called “Randy Rhoades” published in Japan by Guitar World original guitar player for Quiet Riot, played for Ozzy Osbourne. 

Cioffi was working as staff songwriter when he and writing partner Scott Richardson (of the legendary Detroit band SRC) were asked to form a band to inaugurate the comeback of Phil Spector’s legendary vocalist Darlene Love for a New Year’s Eve show. This was the debut of the Monte Carlos, and it was to shape Cioffi’s musical career and life for the next decade.

As reviews hit the newsstands the following week, The Monte Carlos, with Cioffi as its guitarist and leader of the group, were bombarded with touring and session offers from the greatest of rock’s legends. Cioffi’s life became an endless series of planes, concert halls, and studios. During their tenure as the premier back up band, Cioffi performed with Chuck Berry, in the United States, Japan, South America, Moscow and Europe. He toured with Bo Diddley; conducted and recorded with Ben E. King; was the musical director for The Pointer Sisters and conducted for Lesley Gore. 

Along the way, Cioffi worked as a guitarist for The Turtles while working on recording projects with the group’s leader, his friend, Mark Volman. Cioffi has also played guitar in concerts for Mitch Ryder, side by side with guitar legend Steve Hunter. 

Cioffi served five years as musical director for the “New York City Doo Wop Shows” at the Universal Amphitheater in Los Angeles, and has performed at that venue more than thirty times. Artists such as Freddy Cannon, Tommy Roe, Brian Hyland, Johnny Tillotson and The Shirelles would often demand promoters fly his compact four and five piece juggernaut to get the sound that only the Monte Carlos could deliver.

Cioffi formed a special bond with one of his idols, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Del Shannon. The Monte Carlos became Del’s band of choice and performed on some of his last recordings, which were released posthumously. Cioffi played guitars on these recordings, helped produce five sides, and sang backgrounds with the likes of Tom Petty, George Harrison, Jeff Lynneand The Smithereens. 

“I miss Del every day. He was such an influence in my musical life and just a great guy!” says Cioffi. “I remember when he played me the mixes sitting in his Cadillac and said ‘listen Billy it’s the Monte Carlos and the Beatles!’ I have never been more proud.”

In addition to his stellar career as a performer and musical director, Cioffi has always kept up with writing and composing, placing his compositions in over a dozen films, among them: Poltergeist 3, The Skateboard Kid, and Blood Fist. His music has been heard in TV series Boogie’s Diner and the Emmy award winning, The Shield. 

His solo album “Dangerous Type” was a “Billboard” Pick, and his albums “The Monte Carlos” and “American Episodes” received extensive airplay throughout the U.S. on Americana format radio, charting on the “Gavin Reports” and made it to the semifinals in four Grammy categories. “How that happened is a complete mystery to me!” said Cioffi. “Some people in NARAS nominated us and actually voted for us. Go figure!” 

Since 2007, Cioffi has been a private instructor at the Arizona School of Music (formerly Kirk’s Studio for the Performing Arts) in Scottsdale, Arizona.  In addition to guitar, Cioffi also teaches ukulele, banjo, mandolin, dobro and bass. The teaching experience has changed his life for good, and he has had the wonderful opportunity of seeing many students succeed in the music industry, including singer-songwriters Cali Rodi, Adam Esrick, and Madison Holmes. 

Cioffi graduated from Arizona State University Cum Laude with a degree in English Literature in 2009,  and received his Master’s of the Art in English Literature in 2015. He currently a professor of English at Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona.

Cioffi has recently spent time in the recording studio and is currently finalizing his latest record, Radio Heartbreak, expected to release in early 2020.