Origin Madera, California Years active 1930–2000 Genres Jazz Name Tony Romano | Role Guitarist Instruments Guitar | |
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Born September 26, 1915 ( 1915-09-26 ) Associated acts Joe Venuti, Frances Langford, Bing Crosby, Bob Hope Died March 4, 2005, Santa Ana, California, United States Movies The Man I Love, Robbers' Roost, Purple Heart Diary Spouse Evelyn Collette (m. 1964–2005), Pat Silver-Lasky (m. 1946–1958) Children Richard Niles, Lisa Hayden Miller, Regina Maria Francine Romano Similar People Joe Venuti, George Greeley, Pat Silver‑Lasky, Richard Niles, Tessa Niles | ||
Occupation(s) Guitarist, Performer | ||
Tony romano acoustic solo guitar player new york
Tony Romano (26 September 1915 – 4 March 2005) was an American jazz guitarist and singer. He performed on radio programs and in Hollywood musicals in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. He became most noted as the sideman and musical accompanist to Bob Hope and Frances Langford during their USO tours in World War II, Korean, and Vietnam wars.
Contents
- Tony romano acoustic solo guitar player new york
- Tony romano welcome to theclub
- Early life
- Career
- Personal life
- References
Tony romano welcome to theclub
Early life
Romano was born 26 September 1915 in Madera, California, one of nine children of an Italian immigrant shoemaker. According to Romano, his father played violin and guitar, and the entire family was musical. He said, "In our family, if you didn't sing, you didn't eat."
In his youth, he played violin but took up the guitar after being inspired by Eddie Lang. At 17, Romano moved to Hollywood where he studied guitar with Paramount Studio's guitarist George Smith.
Career
Romano built his career as a guitarist and singer for radio programs and Hollywood movie productions in the 1930s. He first worked on the Al Pearce radio program, then at Warner Brothers, where he composed arrangements for Dick Powell. Romano's 16-piece orchestra was the feature band for Morey Amsterdam and Mabel Todd's radio show. He also worked on the Lucky Strike Hit Parade, at 20th Century Fox and later on the Pepsodent radio show for NBC.
In September 1942, Bob Hope asked Romano to accompany him on his initial USO tour to entertain troops at bases in Alaska and the Aleutians. Hope had already enlisted singer Frances Langford and comedian Jerry Colonna but needed a musician and asked Colonna for a recommendation. Colonna said, "Get Tony Romano. Best guitar in the business."
The foursome of Hope, Langford, comedian Jack Pepper and Romano performed in England, Sicily, North Africa and the South Pacific during World War II. They also toured in 1948 during the Berlin Airlift and in Korea in the 1950s. During the Vietnam War, Romano accompanied Langford without Hope on USO circuit tours in Southeast Asia.
In between USO tours, Romano performed on several programs, including the Jack Carson radio show and recorded his own music (his recording Stars Fell on Alabama was a hit in 1956) as well as arranged songs for Johnny Mercer, Bing Crosby and others.
Personal life
Romano was married to singer/actress Barbara Hayden. They had two children, Richard Niles and Lisa Hayden-Miller. Romano was married to Evelyn Collette from 1964 until his death in 2005.