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Al Martino

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Birth name
  
Jasper Cini

Website
  
www.almartino.com

Occupation(s)
  
Singer, actor

Name
  
Al Martino

Years active
  
1948–2009

Role
  
Singer

Labels
  

Al Martino Al Martino Wikipedia the free encyclopedia

Born
  
October 7, 1927Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. (
1927-10-07
)

Genres
  
Jazz, swing, traditional pop, easy listening

Died
  
October 13, 2009, Springfield, Pennsylvania, United States

Movies and TV shows
  
Similar People
  
Andy Williams, Vic Damone, Bobby Darin, Guy Mitchell, Jo Stafford

Al Martino - Spanish Eyes (1967)


Al Martino (born Jasper Cini; October 7, 1927 – October 13, 2009) was an American singer and actor. He had his greatest success as a singer between the early 1950s and mid-1970s, being described as "one of the great Italian American pop crooners", and also became well known as an actor, particularly for his role as singer Johnny Fontane in The Godfather.

Contents

Al martino the memory of you


Early life

Al Martino Al Martino YouTube

Jasper "Al" Cini was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The name Jasper was an anglicisation of his father's name, Gasparino. His parents were immigrants from Abruzzo, Italy, who ran a construction business, and while growing up, he worked alongside his brothers as a bricklayer. He aspired to become a singer, emulating artists such as Al Jolson and Perry Como, and by the success of a family friend, Alfredo Cocozza, who had changed his name to Mario Lanza.

Career

Al Martino The best No 1 singles Al Martino Here In My Heart Bob

After serving with the United States Navy in World War II, during which he was part of, and injured in, the Iwo Jima invasion, Cini began his singing career. Encouraged by Lanza, he adopted the stage name Al Martino—based on the name of his good friend Lorraine Cianfrani's (née Losavio) husband Alfred Martin Cianfrani—and began singing in local nightclubs. In 1948, he moved to New York City, recorded some sides for the Jubilee label, and in 1952, won first place on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts television program with a performance of Como's hit "If".

Al Martino Al Martino Telegraph

As a result, he won a recording contract with the Philadelphia-based independent record label BBS, where he recorded "Here in My Heart". Lanza's label RCA Victor had asked him to record the song, but Martino called and pleaded with him to let Martino's version have a clear run. The song spent three weeks at No. 1 on the US pop charts in June 1952, earning Martino a gold disc, and later in the year, also reached the top of the UK charts. It was number one in the first UK Singles chart, published by the New Musical Express on November 14, 1952, putting him into the Guinness Book of World Records. "Here in My Heart" remained in the top position for nine weeks in the UK, a record for the longest consecutive run at number one, that has only since been beaten by five other songs.

The record's success led to a deal with Capitol Records, and he released three more singles: "Take My Heart", "Rachel", and "When You're Mine" through 1953, all of which hit the U.S. top 40. However, his success also attracted the attention of the Mafia, which bought out Martino’s management contract and ordered him to pay $75,000 as a safeguard for their investment. After making a down-payment to appease them, he moved to Britain. His popularity allowed him to continue to perform and record successfully in the UK, headlining at the London Palladium and having six further British chart hits in the period up to 1955, including "Now" and "Wanted". However, his work received no exposure back in the US. In 1958, thanks to the intervention of a family friend, Martino was allowed to return to the U.S. and resume his recording career, but he faced difficulties in re-establishing himself, especially with the arrival of rock and roll. In 1959, Martino signed with 20th Fox Records; his deal scored him two albums, and four singles released, none of which was a major hit. The success of his 1962 album The Exciting Voice of Al Martino secured him a new contract with Capitol, and was followed by a mostly Italian-language album, The Italian Voice of Al Martino, which featured his version of the then internationally popular song "Al Di Là". He also made several high-profile television appearances, helping to re-establish his visibility.

In 1963, he had his biggest U.S. chart success with "I Love You Because", a cover of Leon Payne's 1950 country music hit. Arranged by Belford Hendricks, Martino's version went to number three on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, and number one on the Easy Listening chart. The album of the same name went top 10 in the Billboard 200. Martino had four other U.S. top 10 hits in 1963 and 1964 - "Painted, Tainted Rose" (1963), "I Love You More and More Every Day", "Tears and Roses", and "Silver Bells" (all 1964). He also sang the title song for the 1964 film, Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte. One of his biggest hits was "Spanish Eyes", achieving several gold and platinum discs for sales. Recorded in 1965, the song reached number five on the UK Singles chart when reissued in 1973. The song, with a tune by Bert Kaempfert originally titled "Moon Over Naples", is among the 50 most-played songs worldwide.

In the mid- to late 1960s, the Martino family lived in this house on the corner of Laurel Place and Belmont Drive in Cherry Hill Estates, New Jersey, just down the street from Frankie Avalon.

Martino's run of chart success faded after the mid-1960s, although many of his records continued to reach the U.S. Hot 100. Another later hit was a disco version of "Volare", (also known as "Nel blu, Dipinto di Blu"). In 1976, it reached number one on the Italian and Flemish charts, and was in the top 10 in Spain, the Netherlands, and France, as well as in many other European countries. In 1993, Martino recorded a new studio album with German producer Dieter Bohlen (former member of pop duo Modern Talking, producer of international artists such as Chris Norman of Smokie, Bonnie Tyler, Dionne Warwick, Engelbert or Errol Brown of Hot Chocolate). The single "Spanish Ballerina" (written in Bohlen's europop sound) reached number 93 in the German single charts.

Apart from singing, Martino played the role of Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather, as well as singing the film's theme, "Speak Softly Love". He played the same role in The Godfather Part III and The Godfather Trilogy: 1901–1980. He later returned to acting, playing aging crooner Sal Stevens in the short film Cutout, appearing in film festivals around the world in 2006.

Family

Martino was married to Judi. He had three children, Alison Martino, Alfred Cini, and Alana Cini; and several grandchildren.

Daughter Alison Martino is a writer and television producer of such programs as Mysteries and Scandals and Headliners and Legends. Martino also writes for Los Angeles. Martino is an amateur historian, who launched the organization Vintage Los Angeles in 2010. Vintage Los Angeles is a tribute to the Los Angeles of yore, which has about 250,000 followers on Facebook.

Death

Martino died from a heart attack on October 13, 2009 at his childhood home in Springfield, Pennsylvania, six days after his 82nd birthday. He was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Awards and honors

  • 2009 — inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame.
  • Studio albums

  • 1959: Al Martino
  • 1960: Swing Along With Al Martino
  • 1962: The Exciting Voice of Al Martino (U.S. No. 109)
  • 1962: The Italian Voice of Al Martino (U.S. No. 57)
  • 1963: I Love You Because (U.S. No. 7)
  • 1963: Painted, Tainted Rose (U.S. No. 9)
  • 1963: Love Notes
  • 1964: A Merry Christmas
  • 1964: I Love You More and More Every Day/Tears and Roses (U.S. No. 31)
  • 1964: Living a Lie (U.S. No. 13)
  • 1965: My Cherie (U.S. No. 19)
  • 1965: Somebody Else is Taking My Place (U.S. No. 42)
  • 1965: We Could (U.S. No. 41)
  • 1966: Spanish Eyes (U.S. No. 8)
  • 1966: Think I'll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep (U.S. No. 116)
  • 1966: This is Love (U.S. No. 57)
  • 1967: Daddy's Little Girl (U.S. No. 23)
  • 1967: This Love for You (U.S. No. 99)
  • 1967: Mary in the Morning (U.S. No. 63)
  • 1968: Love is Blue (U.S. No. 56)
  • 1968: This is Al Martino (U.S. No. 129)
  • 1969: Jean (U.S. No. 196)
  • 1969: Sausalito (U.S. No. 189)
  • 1970: Can't Help Falling in Love (U.S. No. 184)
  • 1970: My Heart Sings (U.S. No. 172)
  • 1972: Love Theme from 'The Godfather' (U.S. No. 138)
  • 1975: To the Door of the Sun (U.S. No. 129)
  • 1976: In Concert: Recorded With the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra (live)
  • 1976: Sing My Love Songs
  • 1977: Time after time
  • 1978: Al Martino Sings
  • 1978: Al Martino
  • 1982: All of Me
  • 1993: The Voice to Your Heart; produced by Dieter Bohlen in Germany
  • 2006: Come Share the Wine
  • 2011: Thank You
  • Compilations

  • 1968: The Best of Al Martino (U.S. No. 108)
  • 1999: The Legendary Al Martino
  • Singles

  • A "Spanish Eyes" reached #5 in the UK on re-issue in 1973.
  • B "I Started Loving You Again" also peaked at #69 on Hot Country Songs.
  • Filmography

    Actor
    2006
    Cutout (Short) as
    Sal Stevens
    1996
    The City (TV Series) as
    Gino Soleito #1
    - Episode #1.192 (1996) - Gino Soleito #1 (credit only)
    - Episode #1.191 (1996) - Gino Soleito #1
    - Episode #1.190 (1996) - Gino Soleito #1
    - Episode #1.186 (1996) - Gino Soleito #1 (credit only)
    - Episode #1.175 (1996) - Gino Soleito #1
    - Episode #1.169 (1996) - Gino Soleito #1
    - Episode #1.166 (1996) - Gino Soleito #1 (credit only)
    1991
    Musik liegt in der Luft (TV Series)
    1990
    The Godfather Part III as
    Johnny Fontane
    1985
    Melodien für Millionen (TV Series) as
    Singer
    - Episode #1.3 (1985) - Singer
    1977
    The Godfather: A Novel for Television (TV Mini Series) as
    Johnny Fontane
    - Episode #1.3 (1977) - Johnny Fontane
    - Episode #1.2 (1977) - Johnny Fontane
    - Episode #1.1 (1977) - Johnny Fontane
    1972
    Adam-12 (TV Series) as
    Paul Stocker
    - Airdrop (1972) - Paul Stocker
    1972
    The Godfather as
    Johnny Fontane
    1959
    The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) as
    Singer
    - Episode #21.21 (1968) - Singer
    - Episode #12.38 (1959) - Singer
    Soundtrack
    2022
    The Batman (performer: "I Have But One Heart")
    2019
    (Nie)znajomi (performer: "Strangers In The Night")
    2012
    Pop Charts Britannia: 60 Years of the Top 10 (TV Movie documentary) (performer: "Here in My Heart")
    2007
    Love and Mary (performer: "Mary in the Morning")
    2001
    100 Greatest Number One Singles (TV Special documentary) (performer: "Here In My Heart")
    2000
    Snow Day (performer: "Love Letters", "Fascination", "To Each His Own")
    1999
    Eglimata (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
    - Episode #2.11 (1999) - (performer: "I Have But One Heart")
    1990
    The Godfather Part III (performer: "TO EACH HIS OWN")
    1989
    True Love (performer: "Al Di La")
    1976
    Revenge for a Rape (TV Movie) (performer: "There's Nothing Greater Than Our Love")
    1972
    The Godfather (performer: "I Have But One Heart" (1945), "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (1944))
    1964
    Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (performer: "Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte")
    1963
    Bandstand (TV Series) (performer - 1 episode)
    - Episode dated 19 October 1963 (1963) - (performer: ""I Love You Because", "Painted Tainted Rose")
    Self
    2007
    Strasse der Lieder (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Eine musikalische Reise von Zürich zum Säntis (2007) - Self
    2006
    Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #3.5 (2006) - Self
    1998
    Musikantenstadl (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.134 (2003) - Self
    - Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida (1998) - Self
    2003
    Strangers in the Night: The Bert Kaempfert Story (TV Movie documentary) as
    Self
    1998
    E! True Hollywood Story (TV Series documentary) as
    Self
    - The Rat Pack (2001) - Self
    - Frank Sinatra (1998) - Self
    2001
    Verstehen Sie Spaß? (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.90 (2001) - Self
    2000
    E! Mysteries & Scandals (TV Series documentary) as
    Self
    - Mario Lanza (2000) - Self
    1999
    Showpalast (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode dated 1 November 1999 (1999) - Self - Singer
    1996
    ZDF-Fernsehgarten (TV Series documentary) as
    Self
    - Ausgabe 125 (1996) - Self
    1993
    Musik liegt in der Luft (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer / Self
    - Episode #1.29 (1996) - Self - Singer
    - Episode #1.11 (1993) - Self
    1995
    Musik muß dabei sein (TV Movie) as
    Self - Singer
    1993
    Flitterabend (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode #6.6 (1993) - Self - Singer
    1986
    Kinder - wie die Zeit vergeht: 40 Jahre RIAS (TV Movie) as
    Self
    1983
    Bert Kaempfert: Melodien, die man nie vergisst (TV Movie documentary) as
    Self
    1981
    Auf los geht's los (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode #5.3 (1981) - Self - Singer
    1974
    The Bob Braun Show (TV Series) as
    Self - Vocalist
    - Episode dated 17 March 1978 (1978) - Self - Vocalist
    - Episode dated 11 March 1977 (1977) - Self - Vocalist
    - Episode dated 14 October 1975 (1975) - Self - Vocalist
    - Episode dated 17 February 1975 (1975) - Self - Vocalist
    - Episode dated 9 October 1974 (1974) - Self - Vocalist
    1978
    The 5th Annual American Music Awards (TV Special) as
    Self
    1965
    The Mike Douglas Show (TV Series) as
    Self - Vocalist / Self - Co-Host / Self / ...
    - The Andrew Sisters co-host; Guests: Jay and the Americans, Rise Stevens, Al Martino, Mary Calderone (1965) - Self
    1977
    Musik ist Trumpf (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.17 (1977) - Self
    1975
    Musik aus Studio B (TV Series) as
    Singer
    - Episode dated 24 November 1975 (1975) - Singer
    1963
    American Bandstand (TV Series) as
    Self - Musical Guest / Self
    - Episode #18.39 (1975) - Self
    - Episode #12.16 (1968) - Self - Musical Guest
    - Episode #9.23 (1966) - Self - Musical Guest
    - Episode #8.14 (1964) - Self - Musical Guest
    - Episode dated 12 August 1963 (1963) - Self
    1975
    Dinah! (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.155 (1975) - Self
    1972
    Stand Up and Cheer (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #2.11 (1972) - Self
    1972
    The Hollywood Squares (Daytime) (TV Series) as
    Self - Panelist
    - Episode dated 14 August 1972 (1972) - Self - Panelist
    1964
    The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) as
    Self / Self - Guest
    - Episode dated 14 July 1972 (1972) - Self
    - Episode dated 15 March 1971 (1971) - Self
    - Eli Wallach and wife Anne Jackson, Kaye Ballard (1964) - Self - Guest
    1969
    The Merv Griffin Show (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer / Self
    - From Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas: Shecky Greene, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Pat Cooper, Phyllis McGuire, Al Martino (1972) - Self - Singer
    - Maureen Stapleton, Ronnie Dyson, Al Martino, Milt Kamen, Norman Mailer, Mr. Blackwell (1969) - Self
    1971
    The Godfather: Behind the Scenes (Documentary short) as
    Self
    1970
    Pauls Silvesterparty (TV Special)
    1970
    Pauls Party (TV Series) as
    Self - Musician
    - Episode dated 8 September 1970 (1970) - Self - Musician
    1970
    Sandler and Young's Kraft Music Hall (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode dated 19 August 1970 (1970) - Self
    1970
    The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode #23.34 (1970) - Self - Singer
    1969
    The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Judy Collins, Al Martino, George Lindsey, Larry Storch (1970) - Self
    - Nancy Sinatra, Al Martino, Tim Conway, Robert Goulet (1969) - Self
    1970
    The Mike Walsh Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode dated 8 January 1970 (1970) - Self
    1969
    Jimmy Durante Presents the Lennon Sisters (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Raymond Burr, Al Martino, Eddie Jackson, Sonny King (1969) - Self
    1969
    The Ed Nelson Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Al Martino (1969) - Self
    1969
    It's Your Bet (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Shari Lewis and Al Martino (1969) - Self
    1969
    Sydney Tonight (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode dated 25 June 1969 (1969) - Self
    1969
    Tienerklanken (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode dated 10 June 1969 (1969) - Self - Singer
    1968
    The Joey Bishop Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #3.176 (1969) - Self
    - Episode #3.23 (1968) - Self
    - Episode #2.181 (1968) - Self
    1968
    George Jessel's Here Come the Stars (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Don Rickles (1968) - Self
    1966
    The Clay Cole Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #8.2 (1967) - Self
    - Episode #6.30 (1966) - Self
    - Episode #6.19 (1966) - Self
    1967
    Gala-Abend der Schallplatte (TV Special) as
    Self
    1967
    Die Drehscheibe (TV Series) as
    Self - Musician
    - Episode dated 3 April 1967 (1967) - Self - Musician
    1966
    Der goldene Schuß (TV Series) as
    Self - Musician
    - Episode #1.19 (1966) - Self - Musician
    1966
    Where the Action Is (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #3.57 (1966) - Self
    - Episode #2.140 (1966) - Self
    - Episode #2.121 (1966) - Self
    1966
    The Pat Boone Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Joanie Sommers, Al Martino (1966) - Self
    - Joanie Sommers, Al Martino (1966) - Self
    1966
    The Linkletter Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode dated 10 August 1966 (1966) - Self
    1966
    The Lloyd Thaxton Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #4.242 (1966) - Self
    1966
    The Jimmy Dean Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Al Martino, Don Gibson, Sharon Carnes, The Statesmen Quartet (1966) - Self
    1966
    Shivaree (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Al Martino, Nino Tempo & April Stevens, The T-Bones, and Sue Rainey (1966) - Self - Singer
    1965
    Hollywood Discotheque (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.10 (1965) - Self
    1964
    That Regis Philbin Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.27 (1964) - Self
    1963
    Bandstand (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode dated 19 October 1963 (1963) - Self - Singer
    1962
    The Tonight Show (TV Series) as
    Self - Vocalist
    - Episode #1.13 (1962) - Self - Vocalist
    1962
    The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Dennis Day, Andy Griffith, Glynis Johns, Al Martino, Laird Brooks Schmidt (1962) - Self
    1957
    The Howard Miller Show (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.71 (1957) - Self
    1956
    Val Parnell's Startime (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode dated 9 August 1956 (1956) - Self
    1955
    Off the Record (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Episode #1.13 (1955) - Self
    1954
    The Jackie Gleason Show (TV Series) as
    Self - Guest Vocalist
    - Guest Host: Garry Moore (1954) - Self - Guest Vocalist
    1953
    Perry Como's Kraft Music Hall (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Al Martino (1953) - Self
    1952
    Chance of a Lifetime (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Al Martino (1952) - Self
    1952
    The Arthur Murray Party (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode #3.28 (1952) - Self - Singer
    - Episode #3.27 (1952) - Self - Singer
    Archive Footage
    -
    Sammy LaBella: The Real Skip E. Lowe (filming) as
    Self
    2020
    30 Favoriten (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Die 30 schönsten Kulthits der 60er (2020) - Self
    2007
    On the Lot (TV Series)
    - Auditions #1 (2007)
    2006
    Willkommen bei Carmen Nebel (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Sommerspezial aus dem Salzkammergut (2006) - Self
    2006
    The Godfather (Video Game) as
    Johnny Fontane (uncredited)
    1992
    The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980 (Video) as
    Johnny Fontane
    1963
    Bandstand (TV Series) as
    Self - Singer
    - Episode dated 23 November 1963 (1963) - Self - Singer

    References

    Al Martino Wikipedia