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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZMARTINO, Al(b Alfred Cini, 7 October 1927, Philadelphia PA; d 13 October 2009, Springfield PA) Singer in nice Italian ballad style à la Vic Damone, countless others. He was a childhood friend of Mario Lanza, who did not record 'Here In My Heart' because it would have swamped his friend's record: Martino had a no. 1 hit with it '52 backed by Monty Kelly on an obscure BBS label; he was signed by Capitol and had more hits including 'Take My Heart' with Kelly, 'When You're Mine' with Les Baxter '52-3, and disappeared from the charts in the rock'n'roll era. He came back thanks to TV exposure (America's answer to Val Doonican) on the 20th Century-Fox label '59, switched back to Capitol and had 34 Hot 100 entries '59-77, of which only 'I Love You Because' and 'I Love You More And More Each Day' '63-4 were top ten. He sold albums: 24 in top 200 '62-75, including top ten I Love You Because and Painted, Tainted Rose '63, Spanish Eyes '65. The title single 'Spanish Eyes' was no. 15, aka 'Moon Over Naples', instrumental written by German bandleader Bert Kaempfert (b c.1924, Hamburg; d 21 June 1980), who also had no. 1 hit LP/single Wonderland By Night '60, 19 more hit LPs in USA '61-71, and produced the Beatles' earliest records. Marino played the wedding singer in The Godfather '72 and also appeared in The Godfather: Part III '90. |