Some songs are written, recorded, and released in a matter of months. Others, like Bridge Of Hope, take an entire lifetime to find their way to the world. After sitting in the vault for 31 years, this track—recorded during one of the most exhilarating times in my music career—has finally been revived and released, and I can hardly believe it.
But this song’s story is about more than just music. It’s about fate, timing, and the incredible people who helped shape this moment—especially one man who changed the trajectory of my career and my life.
Tony Coelho: The Power Behind the Opportunity
At the time I wrote Bridge Of Hope, I was managed by Tony Coelho, a powerhouse in both politics and business. Before stepping into the corporate world, Tony was a force in Washington, serving as House Majority Whip and shaping national policy. But his most enduring legacy is as the chief architect of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Signed into law in 1990 by President George H. Bush, the ADA was a game-changer, prohibiting discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensuring accessibility in workplaces, public spaces, and beyond. Tony’s fight was personal—having epilepsy himself, he knew firsthand the barriers people with disabilities faced. His work reshaped civil rights in America, giving millions of people legal protections that had never existed before.
After leaving Congress, Tony became a high-powered Wall Street CEO, using his vast network to open doors in industries most people never get close to. That’s how he became my manager—but not before rescuing me from a brutal lawsuit.
From Lawsuit to Legacy: Tony’s Strategic Moves
Before Tony took me under his wing, I had been embroiled in a bitter legal battle with Sir Earl Toon of Kool and the Gang. What started as a promising demo deal quickly turned into a nightmare, leading to a fallout that resulted in a devastating lawsuit.
Tony stepped in and made it all go away. He not only saved me from financial ruin, but he also made sure I came out of the situation stronger than before. With his vast network and business savvy, Tony opened doors that led me straight to Walter Yetnikoff, the legendary former head of CBS Records – “The Rock Warlord”.
Walter Yetnikoff: The Music Industry’s Most Powerful Rebel
Walter Yetnikoff wasn’t just a record executive—he was a kingmaker. As the president of CBS Records, he ruled the music industry with an iron fist, launching the careers of Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, and countless others. He was brilliant, ruthless, and one of the most controversial figures in the business.
One of Walter’s most legendary moments? Forcing MTV to play Black artists.
In the early days, MTV refused to play music videos by Black artists, claiming rock and pop audiences wouldn’t be interested. Walter wasn’t having it. When MTV initially refused to air Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, Walter leveraged CBS’s massive power, threatening to pull all their artists from the network if they didn’t comply. MTV caved, aired Billie Jean, and the rest is history. That moment shattered racial barriers in the music industry.
When Walter left CBS Records, he was planning his big comeback, launching a new record label that would prove he was still the most powerful man in music. Thanks to Tony, I was one of the first artists signed to this new label—a dream come true.
The Dream Recording Sessions
With Tony and Walter backing me, the doors swung open to an unreal lineup of talent:
On guitar, I had Cy Curnin, the unmistakable voice of The Fixx, whose hits like “One Thing Leads to Another” and “Saved by Zero” defined the sound of a generation.
The production was in the hands of Stewart Lerman and Dave Darlington, both Grammy Award-winning legends. Stewart has worked with Patti Smith, Shawn Colvin, and Elvis Costello, while Dave has mixed and mastered for Madonna, Sting, and Janet Jackson.
And the vocals? Pure fire. The powerhouse behind me was the one and only Lisa Fischer, a Grammy-winning icon and one of the most legendary background singers of all time. She’s sung with Tina Turner, Luther Vandross, and Nine Inch Nails—an absolute legend. And if you’ve ever been moved by the soaring backing vocals on The Rolling Stones’ “Gimme Shelter,” you’ve already felt her magic.
An Album That Never Was
The plan was for Bridge Of Hope to be part of a full-length album—one that would establish my career under Walter’s new label. The momentum was there, the excitement was real, the press was writing, and the industry was watching. We were four songs in.
Then, everything fell apart. Walter’s comeback never fully materialized, and the label dissolved before my album could be finished and released. Just like that, Bridge Of Hope —a song we had poured our hearts into—was locked away, unheard for over three decades.
Bringing It Back to Life
For years, I thought Bridge Of Hope would never be heard. But modern technology changed everything.
The original recording, while brilliant, was unfinished. Certain parts of the song were left incomplete—sections we had always intended to rework. Now, with today’s advanced tools and an incredible studio engineer, we were able to finesse those unfinished parts, finally completing the song exactly how we had envisioned it.
Stepping back into the studio to work on this track after 31 years was surreal. I wasn’t just revisiting a song—I was revisiting a version of myself, an incredible time in my life. The emotions, the hunger, the excitement I had felt when I first wrote it all came flooding back.
More Than Just a Song
Releasing Bridge Of Hope is about more than finally sharing a track that’s been waiting in the wings for three decades—it’s about honoring a pivotal moment in my life.
It’s about the people who believed in me—Tony Coelho, Walter Yetnikoff, and the incredible lineup of legendary artists who helped shape this song. It’s about finishing what was started, no matter how much time has passed.
This song is a testament to the idea that no dream is ever truly lost. Sometimes, it just takes time for the right moment to arrive. And for Bridge Of Hope, that moment is finally here.
Bridge Of Hope: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/roccopink/bridge-of-hope
Release date: April 22, 2025
Pre-order date: April 15,2025
