Al Martino (Photo/wiki)
Al Martino was an American singer and actor. Allmusic journalist Steve Huey states,
Martino was one of the great Italian American pop crooners, boasting a string of hit singles and albums that stretched from the early 1950s all the way into the mid 1970s. However, he was perhaps even better known for his role in The Godfather as singer Johnny Fontane, a character supposedly based on Frank Sinatra, but with eerie similarities to Martino's own career."
One of the most successful Martino hits was "Spanish Eyes", achieving several gold and platinum discs for sales. The song was recorded in 1965, and it reached number 5 on the UK Singles Chart when re-issued in 1973. ~ Those who inspired his singing: Dean Martin, (more of Dean), Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, Perry Como...
In addition to singing, Martino played the role of Johnny Fontane in the 1972 film The Godfather, as well as singing the film's theme, "I Have But One Heart (O Marenariello)".
Martino played the same role in The Godfather Part II and The Godfather Part III, as well as The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980, opposite Marlon Brando and a huge talented cast including Diane Keaton, James Caan, Al Pacino, Robert Duvall...
Martino toured the nightclub circuit during the 1970s, and managed one more easy listening hit in 1978's "The Next Hundred Years." Martino continued to perform in clubs, lounges, and casinos for some time afterward, and returned to recording in 2000 with the album, Style.
Al Martino returned to acting in 2006, when he played an aging crooner, Sal Stevens, in the short film Cutout, and appeared in film festivals around the world.
Martino died on October 13, 2009 at his childhood home in Springfield, Pennsylvania six days after turning 82.
Comments
Editor: Deborah smith Ford;
The person responsible for Martino's rise to fame was none other than Mario Lanza who was offered a song and Martino wanted it to record himself knowing that if Mario sang it he(Martino) wouldn't have a chance to compete with Mario. Mario the generous man he was with fellow artists said " You want it AL? sure you can have it , i won't record it" That song was "You belong to my heart" and it made Martino a Big Star. In gratitude Martino was a huge fan of Lanza and helped along with Kate Grayson and Mario's son to make a web-site dedicated to the Late Great Mario Lanza.
Correction: The song Lanza gave Martino was " Here in my heart" not 'You belong to my heart"
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