This is a compendium of your favourite Italian male singers presented in a shower of photographs, stories, favourite recipes, and selected discography's with a foreword by the one and only Jerry Vale and an introduction by WALK Radio's Italia Mia hostess Luisa Potenza. Award-winning musical biographer Richard Grudens, explores the musical world of Frank Sinatra, Frankie Laine, Perry Como, Jerry Vale, Al Martino, Dean Martin (through the eyes of Lee Hale), Hoboken's own Jimmy Roselli, and Julius La Rosa, Tony Bennett, Vic Damone, Don Cornell, Bobby Darin, Louis Prima (memories from his wife and daughter Gia and Lena Prima), Lou Monte, Russ Columbo and others including newcomers: Staten Island's great sensation Tony 'Tony B' Babino and Philadelphia's singing piano wizard, John Primerano, California's Filippo Voltaggio, and a feature on the great Jimmy Durante. Honourable Mentions will include other, lesser known Italian contributors and even some Italian bandleaders, notably Guy Lombardo and Big Band Hall of Fame director Ben Grisafi to round out the coverage of all our Italian contributors. Richard Grudens provides a special insight into the lives of these Musical personalities and features over 100 photos, some never before published.
Richard Grudens was initially influenced by Pulitzer Prize dramatist Robert Anderson; New York Herald Tribune columnist Will Cuppy; and detective/mystery novelist Dashiell Hammett, all whom he knew in his early years. Grudens worked his way up from studio page in NBC's studios in New York to news writer for radio news programs, the Bob and Ray Show and the Today Show. He has written over 100 magazine articles on diverse subjects from interviews with legendary cowboy Gene Autry in Wild West Magazine in 1995 to a treatise on the Beach Boys in the California Highway Patrol Magazine, and countless articles on Bing Crosby and Bob Hope. Richard Grudens and his wife Madeline, reside in St James, New York.
"This book certainly lives up to its comprehensive claim as 'the best account of the Italian crooners of the big band era'. Another essential read from Richard Grudens!" -- Big Bands International, May 2005.
"It is not often that I have the opportunity to immerse myself into such an in depth book about my favourite subject. A great information and record guide. Recommended for all music lovers!" -- In Tune, May 2005.
"The book is great -- thanks a million -- you almost make me wish I were Italian." -- Pat Boone.
