Post by Rob Durkee on Oct 14, 2009 17:47:42 GMT -5
By ROCKIN' ROBIN
Al Martino, who portrayed Johnny Fontane in the 1972 movie "The Godfather" and had a 25-year span of pop hits, died Tuesday (October 13, 2009) at his childhood home of Springfield, a suburb of Philadelphia. He was 82 and had turned that age six days before his passing. No cause of death was reported according to the Associated Press.
Martino portrayed Johnny Fontane, a Frank Sinatra-style singer who was a sometimes actor and the godson of Marlon Brandon's Mafia boss character, Don Vito Corleone in "The Godfather." Martino also sang the movie's title score but "Speak Softly Love" only reached #81 on the Cash Box pop singles chart in 1972. Meanwhile, Andy Williams fared much better, taking "Love Theme From 'The Godfather' " to #24.
Born Alfred Cini on October 7, 1927 in the southern part of Philadelphia, Martino would set the stage for other prominent singers born in that area, including Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Chubby Checker. His big break came when he talked his friend, Mario Lanza, into not singing what turned out to be his breakthrough hit. "Here In My Heart" became a #1 song for Martino in the summer of 1952.
Martino would continue to have hits when pop music tastes included rock and roll, the British Invasion and disco. Most of his hits were in the 1960's. They included "I Love You Because" (#3, 1963),"Painted Tainted Rose" (#19, 1963), "I Love You More And More Every Day" (#11, 1964) and "Spanish Eyes" (#16, 1965). His #27-peaking hit, "Mary In The Morning," would also be recorded by Elvis Presley.
Martino would have two modest mid-70's hits in spite of disco music's rise. "To The Door Of The Sun (Alle Porte Del Sole)" reached #21 in 1975. His dioscosized remake of the song "Volare" in 1976 just missed the Cash Box top 40, peaking at #41.
Jerry Blavat, a popular Philadelphia radio and TV personality, had dined with Martino and his wife Monday night and was shocked at the news of his passing. Blavat told the AP, "Al was the last of the show business legends. There's nobody else. The last of the performers. A magnificent voice."
Al Martino, who portrayed Johnny Fontane in the 1972 movie "The Godfather" and had a 25-year span of pop hits, died Tuesday (October 13, 2009) at his childhood home of Springfield, a suburb of Philadelphia. He was 82 and had turned that age six days before his passing. No cause of death was reported according to the Associated Press.
Martino portrayed Johnny Fontane, a Frank Sinatra-style singer who was a sometimes actor and the godson of Marlon Brandon's Mafia boss character, Don Vito Corleone in "The Godfather." Martino also sang the movie's title score but "Speak Softly Love" only reached #81 on the Cash Box pop singles chart in 1972. Meanwhile, Andy Williams fared much better, taking "Love Theme From 'The Godfather' " to #24.
Born Alfred Cini on October 7, 1927 in the southern part of Philadelphia, Martino would set the stage for other prominent singers born in that area, including Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Frankie Avalon and Chubby Checker. His big break came when he talked his friend, Mario Lanza, into not singing what turned out to be his breakthrough hit. "Here In My Heart" became a #1 song for Martino in the summer of 1952.
Martino would continue to have hits when pop music tastes included rock and roll, the British Invasion and disco. Most of his hits were in the 1960's. They included "I Love You Because" (#3, 1963),"Painted Tainted Rose" (#19, 1963), "I Love You More And More Every Day" (#11, 1964) and "Spanish Eyes" (#16, 1965). His #27-peaking hit, "Mary In The Morning," would also be recorded by Elvis Presley.
Martino would have two modest mid-70's hits in spite of disco music's rise. "To The Door Of The Sun (Alle Porte Del Sole)" reached #21 in 1975. His dioscosized remake of the song "Volare" in 1976 just missed the Cash Box top 40, peaking at #41.
Jerry Blavat, a popular Philadelphia radio and TV personality, had dined with Martino and his wife Monday night and was shocked at the news of his passing. Blavat told the AP, "Al was the last of the show business legends. There's nobody else. The last of the performers. A magnificent voice."
