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Dear Al Fans,
Al's "Thank You" CD was released on January 1st 2011. Joe has put a lot of effort into this project to make Al's final recordings available to all of his fans. He has now taken on another task and will be doing the initial distribution.
Joe's Message:By overwhelming demand it is a pleasure to announce that we will
start taking orders for the new, full Al Martino 10 song "Thank
You" CD.Cd's will start shipping January 1st, 2011. Please allow 2-4
weeks for delivery.US orders/ Please mail $17.50/per cd made out to JV Songs and mailed to:
Joe Vulpis / 1225 River Rd. / Suite 12 D / Edgewater, NJ 07020Outside Us/ Please mail $19.50/per cd made out to JV Songs to: Joe
Vulpis / 1225 River Rd. / Suite 12 D / Edgewater, NJ 07020Please include your phone number, email (if possible) and complete
mailing address.In addition please visit I Tunes, Amazon and all major music download sites.
Thank you for your continued support,
Joe Vulpis, Writer/Producer
After a very emotional year marked by the passing of one of the greatest crooners in our time we're pleased to announce that Al's final recording project with Producer/Songwriter Joe Vulpis is now complete. Five new original songs are currently being uploaded to all major music sites. The titles are:
I Can't Tell You, Thank You, A Woman's Touch, Trying To Find My Way and Hello Goodbye. The next five songs which are 3 (never before released)
Roy Orbison songs sung by Al as well as 2 remakes, Always On My Mind and Garth Brook's If Tomorrow Never Comes will be available on the full CD.On behalf of the Martino Family and Joe Vulpis (Al's friend & Producer/Songwriter) we'd like to thank you for your continued support and good wishes..
Andy
Al Martino Fan Mail
Two sites that I can recommend are:
CDbaby.com and
Amazon.com
Joe Vulpis, Al's last producer, recently was in England and met with Mr. Graham Hunter who wrote a very nice article for the magazine, BEAT.It is Mr. Hunter interviewed Joe and wife, Judi, for this article. Graham had met Al twice during Al's last tours of the United Kingdom. It is a very nice tribute to Al and an update on his last recordings.
The Martino family would like to thank John Stango for his amazing portrait of Al that he so kindly painted and gave us. Mr. Stango is a famous pop artist from Philadelphia. We will treasure the painting and hang it with deep appreciation, Al would have loved it. Thank you so much John.
The Martino Family:
We have just been informed by Mr. John Rook that Al has been inducted into the "Hit Parade Hall of Fame". Once nominated, a recording artist has to have had 2 or more Top 10 hits in the 50's. 60's and 70's. An artist has 3 years to quaify. Their web site is "Hitparadehalloffame.org".
Mr. Rook was kind to write a personal note to us and said :
"He found Al to always be so honest, so humble, and yet so confident in his own talent. He didn't have to work at it, it all came natural. I wish he had been here to know he had been inducted into our "Hit Parade Hall of Fame". I know he would have appreciated it, but it was only a small token of just how so many others appreciated him."Our family is truly honored by this special award. We know Al would be very proud.
From: Judi Martino
January 29, 2010My family and I are very touched by a wonderful gesture made by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Gioso of Philadelphia, Pa.. They have been devoted fans of Al since the early 50's. They felt they wanted to honor Al and decided to ask their neighborhood park, Alverthorpe Lake and Park in Abington, Pa., if they could put a plaque on a park bench. The park agreed and now it has been completed. They added a new bench with his plaque that partly reads,"In Memory of Singer Al Martino, "I'll Be Looking At The Moon, But I'll Be Seeing You". This song had special meaning as it was sung at his funeral by two of Al's former backup singers. Thank you very, very much Bill and Mary, Al would indeed be honored.
From: Judi Martino
November 5, 2009
I would like to sincerely thank everyone for the tremendous outpouring of love I have received since Al's passing. I have been overwhelmed by so many beautiful tributes to Al. I know he would be honored to know that he touched so many people's lives. There is a web site called Legacy.com that as of this date, has 84 pages of condolences. They are all so kind and heartfelt. Al was a humble man for the tremendous talent that he had, and I know how much he would appreciate the amazing posts. I am also grateful for all the regular fans and friends who post on our web site. You have all helped us in this time of our heartbreaking grief.
Al's passing came suddenly with no warning, it was a cardiac arrest. It is still a shock to me and his family. He was in good health and only the day before we drove from Philadelphia to New York where he recorded two songs. His voice was as beautiful as ever. Ironically one of the titles was "If Tomorrow Never Comes".
We held his funeral in Philadelphia as all his family live there and were able to pay their respects. It was a lovely service and he was given a 21 gun salute for his WWII service on Iwo Jima. His two former backup singers came from New York and sang "I'll Be Seeing You".
Al was laid to rest in California at a private ceremony.
This caricature of Al is by famed Canadian artist, Pete Emslie. He presented the original to Al when Al performed in Canada two years ago.and it proudly hangs in Al's home. Mr. Emslie has written a lovely tribute to Al that can be viewed on his web site.
http://cartooncave.blogspot.com/2009/10/great-al-martino.html
I would like to invite all dads fans to a Facebook page dedicated to "Fans of Al Martino". You do have to sign up (it's easy) . There are a lot of rare videos and pictures. I think you will enjoy it and people can post comments as well as their memories and personal photos.
Also I would like to thank Ron Cannatella for the amazing video he posted on YouTube of "Daddy's Little Girl" with photos taken through the years of dad and me. I will treasure it.
Alison Martino
It is with great sadness that I must report the sudden passing of Al on Tuesday, October, 13th.
Please see the brief but sincere message from the Martino family below.
Andy
Al Martino Fan Contact
To All of Al's fans, Judi, Alison, Alfred, Alana and the entire Martino family wishes to express our gratitude for all of the emails and wonderful thoughts and prayers posted on Al's Guestbook.
Please know that Al was always thankful of his fans and truly was grateful for their loyalty.
May God Bless You All
Philadelphia Daily News
S. Philly-born singing star Al Martino, 82
By JOHN F. MORRISON
AL MARTINO, a South Philly kid with a big voice whose ballads reached high on the charts from the 1950s on, died yesterday of a heart attack in his Springfield, Delaware County, home. He had celebrated his 82nd birthday last Wednesday.
His death was sudden and unexpected since he had not been ill and was still performing. In recent years, he was most popular in Europe, especially Germany. Read full article, click here.
Wikipedia
Al Martino (born Alfred Cini, October 7, 1927 – October 13, 2009) 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."[1] Read full Wikipedia, cleck here.
Al will be Featured Guest Emcee for the "Mario Lanza 50th Anniversary Concert" benefiting "The Little Italy Revitalization Project & The Riverside Opera Company". It will be held October 3, 2009 at the Snug Harbor Culture Music Hall on Staten Island, New York. There will be performances by Tenor Dominic Mantuano and Soprano Yuriko Nonaka and special guests, Mr. Frank Tenaglia and Mr. Aaron Caruso. Mr. Alan Auriela will conduct the Richmond County Orchestra Also there will be a very special dedication to Damon Lanza, Mario's son, by long time friend and 'brother' Mr. Bob Dolfi. Unfortunately Damon passed away last year as he had looked forward to this 50th anniversary tribute to his father. It is going to be a very special evening.
For tickets: 1 (800) 770-1270
www.snug-harbor.org
Al has just recorded a great new song, "Trying To Find My Way" with a talented young writer, Joe Vulpis. It is starting to get a lot of airplay around the country and Al is grateful to DJ, Jerry Blavat, the "Geator with the Heater, the Boss with the Hot Sauce," on Cruising 92.1 in Philadelphia who initially started playing the song on his radio show every day and getting tremendous response. Also Johnny Rook, "Radio's Man of the Year" said "Al, you have a smash!". Johnny is co-creator of "Hit Parade Hall of Fame" and asked me to let you know Al was nominated in 2007 for the honor and you can vote for Al by going to the website, www.hitparadehalloffame.org. You have to look for the nominates in 2007.
Al's new song, "Trying To Find My Way" can be purchased at CDBaby.com and very shortly on iTunes. It is brand new and there will soon be other sites as well. We will keep you posted. We think you will like this new recording with it's country flair. Let us know.
Al Martino Tribute
This was recently posted in Florida and we found it very clever, not your usual article! By Bill DeYoung
http://tcpalm.com/news/2008/dec/31/cool-crooner-martino-play-lyric/
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August 20, 2008
We were so shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Mario Lanza's only son, Damon. We had just spent the previous weekend with Damon (and Bob Dolfi) at the Italian Festival in Providence, Rhode Island. Damon had devoted his life to keeping Mario Lanza's recordings current. He was a wonderful man and Mario would certainly have been proud of him. The Lanza family has been very important in our lives. Mario gave Al his first break when Mario turned down recording "Here in My Heart". RCA Records wanted Mario to record it, but Mario told Al he would turn it down. Al was an unknown at the time and Mario was a big star, however they were both from South Philadelphia and their fathers were fishing buddies. Fortunately for Al, " Here in My Heart" went to number one, but he has always given Mario credit for his success.
A few years ago, our daughter, Alison, produced a show on Mario Lanza for E! Entertainment Television. Damon and Bob contributed so much to the show, with their interviews, film clips and personal photographs. It is a show that she will always be proud of and I know Damon was felt the same and that is gratifying.
It was our great privilege to have known Damon and we will keep him in our hearts
forever. God Bless You Damon.
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We are so delighted that Al's YouTube video of "Nessun Dorma" has been so well received. We werejust notified of a comment from Steve Slezaks from KSUI-FM in Iowa who wrote: "Well, Al Martino actually sings the aria better at age 80 than a lot of the current crop of "stars" can muster at 25. Keep goin; Al....If you're still singing like this, you don't have to look over your shoulder to see who's gainin' on you....there's nobody there."
We would also like to thank Frankie Dee of web site
GMMY.com for his support of this video and for the
great work he does to keep good music alive! Thank
you Frankie!
Al has had a very successful tour in the United
Kingdom and this review from Liverpool, February 20,
2007 was just received:AL MARTINO, LIVERPOOL PHILHARMONIC HALL
by Phillip Key, Liverpool Daily PostAL MARTINO was the man who, in 1952, was Britain's
first chart-topper with "Here in My Heart", and later
went on to play the singer Johnny Fontane in the film
"The Godfather".He had hits like "Spanish Eyes", "Volare", and "I Love
You Because'.Martino is 79, but at the Phil last night the years
dropped away as he went through his repertoire of
songs and occasionally jokes.He says he is one of the last singers to appear in a
tuxedo, and was last night dressed to the nines with
bow tie and pocket handkerchief. He still has style.Most of all, he still has the VOICE.
He can belt out the great songs in fabulous fashion
and, even with a 16-strong big band behind him, has no
trouble making his voice heard.Opening with "Fly me to the Moon" and easily into the
ballad "Love is a Many Splendoured Thing", Martino
proved he still has the lungs.This was an evening in which songs with proper lyrics
and delivery were heard. And great arrangements
behind them."How deep is the Ocean", "Once Upon a Time", "Goody,
Goody", "A Time for Us" (from Romeo and Juliet) and "I
Can't Stop Loving You" were all there.Naturally, Martino's Italian heritage was to the fore
with Italian ballads sung in Italian, including his
hit "Volare".He talked to his audience, shook hands and had a good
time.The voice was in good shape (perhaps even better than
his last Liverpool visit). Above all, he performed
with old-fashioned style. This was a man in the
Sinatra mold. He certainly is one of the last great
American stylists.Martino promised he would be returning to Liverpool in
2008. Now that will be a show worth catching.
Please check out the YouTube site to see Al's televised appearance in Berlin, Germany (2006). He is supported by a rich orchestral accompaniment and featured in a lavishly produced live-on stage setting. Al performs a beautiful medley of his popular hits, "Volare", "Listen to Your Heart", "Come Share the Wine", and his signature song, "Spanish Eyes".
Stars come out for INVITATION-ONLY SCREENING of legendary SINGER Al Martino's first film since The Godfather !
NEW YORK, NY, February 6, 2006 Stars and industry notables came out for an invitation-only screening of the short-film, "C U T O U T", starring legendary singer Al Martino in his first film since The Godfather. Al Martino and Robert Funaro, the stars of the film, along with Soprano's stars Michael Imperioli, Steve Schirippa and Maureen Van Zandt as well as The Godfather's Richard Bright and fashion designer Andrea Jovine, plus many more, packed into Imperioli's gorgeous theater Studio Dante last Wednesday night. Photographers, including New York Post legend Aubrey Reuben, were on hand to capture the special event.
The 15-minute film was screened twice during the evening and received applause and accolades from both audiences.
Before the first screening, Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirippa crowded around Al Martino to have their pictures taken with the legendary singer. They were soon joined by Martino's co-star Robert Funaro and "CUTOUT" writer/director Marc Cantone for the photo-op.After the screenings, Studio Dante's plush lobby provided the perfect atmosphere for the stars and guests to mingle, sip wine and pose for more photos.
Al was accompanied to the screening by his daughter, Alison, who flew in from California to share the night with her father.
On Saturday, October 8, Al along with other South Philadelphia singers were honored with a mural in their home town. Philadelphia is proud to be known as "America's City of Murals". They are in neighborhoods all over the city. This particular mural is at 1231 E. Passyunk Avenue. It is on the Anatasi's Cafe's outside wall and also near two South Philadelphia cheese steaks icons, Pat's and Geno's. The mural is dedicated to the 'Sounds of Philadelphia' and to the music legends : Frankie Avalon, Fabian, Bobby Rydell, Chubby Checker, DJ Jerry Blavat (the Geator with the Heater), Eddie Fisher and of course Al Martino. It was a very special event and Al was honored to have been there. His parents would certainly have been proud. His father was an immigrant from Italy and his mother was born and raised in South Philadelphia in that very neighborhood were the portraits are displayed. The event was attended by Al, Frankie Avalon, Chubby Checker and Jerry Blavat. They were also given a Citation from the City of Philadelphia by Councilman, Frank DiCicco. So if you ever get to Philly, go get a steak sandwich and look up at the wall....you can't miss it!!
Please check the appearance page as new engagements are being posted periodically.
We're happy to know Al's PBS concert is still being shown around the
country. It was filmed in Canada several years ago when Al performed with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Please check your local listings for an air date. Thanks to all of you who have responded so favorably.
'COME SHARE THE WINE' IS OFFICALLY RELEASED IN THE UNITED STATES!!
We are extremely happy to finally let you know that Al's European CD is available here in the United States! The title has been changed from LOVE OF MY LIFE (which was the import title) to the featured song, "COME SHARE THE WINE." It will be distributed by RYKO Distributors on the BEVERLY HILLS RECORD LABEL. It was produced in Germany by Jack White who has recorded Englebert Humperdink, David Hasselhoff, Laura Brannigan and many others.
Several songs on the CD were written by 2-time Oscar winner, Al Kasha. "COME SHARE THE WINE" has been kicking up a storm wherever it has gotten airplay. Also included in the CD are three of AL's greatest hits, "SPANISH EYES," "I LOVE YOU MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY," AND "VOLARE." The release date is April 27....thank you so much for responding to this song the way you have. We have gotten so many emails asking for it and now we're finally thrilled to make this announcement about it's U.S. release.
We would like to thank Morris Diamond, President of Beverly Hills Records for his great effort on the release of this CD.
We are receiving wonderful emails daily and would like to share a couple more:
Vince Di Placido wrote:
Life long fan of Al Martino! I saw his fabulous concert in Dunfermline,
Scotland on April 13-He was magnificent- his glorious voice was as warm and beautiful as ever! It was one of the best nights of my life.
Lena and Harry Smith wrote:
Al's opening concert in the United Kingdom was a sensation. From the moment Al stepped onto the stage he was greeted with thunderous applause. Al sang his "Spanish Eyes" and "Volare" and had the crowd singing and clapping with enthusiasm and then when Al sang "Here In My Heart" we thought the roof would cave in. Al showed once again that he is still the finest singer and entertainer ever and he proved this once again.
Margaret Hodge wrote:
On Saturday we attended the packed audience at the Empire Theatre in Liverpool to listen to the magic of Mr. Martino. The audience were in raptures as every song was applauded. His rendering of the songs was MAGIC and many brought a lump to my throat. Congratulations to him and may he have many more years to enchant us. Please, please come back soon.
A Fan recently wrote:
I just wanted to let you guys know how much my wife and I enjoyed the show last night at Coral Gables.....we were delighted with Al and VERY impressed with Dick Contino too!! I didn't know Al was also a stand up comic....some of the jokes were dated, but he can deliver a punch line with grace.
I wanted him to know that his music was instrumental in my falling in love with my Italian bride of 50 years (in June). She and her family were on the first ship to cross the Atlantic after WWII. Her dad had fought in US Army in WWI.
Here in my heart is one of my all time favorites and I play it often....... I enjoy all the songs he has done....he never made on that wasn't excellent.
We hope he enjoys life and good health for a long. long time.....
On March 28, 2003 in Mannheim, Germany, Al was given a very special award by "Radio Regenbogen (Rainbow)". He received the prestigious 'Lifetime Entertainment 2003' award. It was very gratifying to receive this and Al thanks all involved for this very special honor. On the same program, awards were also given to Tom Jones, Metropolitan Opera singer Deborah Sasson, and rock and roll star, Meatloaf. Al and Tom had not seen each other since the early 70's, so it was a nice reunion as well!
Prior to receiving his achievement award, Al taped a TV show to be aired at a later date in Europe, saluting composer Bert Kaempfert. Mr. Kaempfert wrote Al's million seller hit, "Spanish Eyes", which of course Al performed on the show. He was also asked to sing Mr. Kaempfert's other compositions, "Strangers in the Night" and "Danke Schoen".
Al is very happy and honored to be included in Hugh Downs new book, "MY AMERICA". It is a book of 150 diverse Americans from all walks of life and relates what it means to be an American. Al details some of his experiences as an underage 16 year old boy when he was stationed on the island of Iwo Jima. He watched as that famous flag was raised on Mount Sarabachi by six brave marines. Little did he know then that it would come to symbolize World War 11. Those years in service to his country were very special to him and he always has said he would do it all over again to protect our country and our precious freedom.
It is a very interesting book with some other thoughts by: Walter Cronkite, John Glenn, Paul Harvey, Art Linkletter, Dick Clark, Jack Paar, Regis Philbin, William Shatner, Jesse Ventura, Diane Sawyer, Donald Trump, Mike Wallace, Sally Jesse Raphael, Mark Russell, George Bush and of course many, many more.
It is published by Simon & Schuster
April 25, 2002
Dear Al,
Many thanks...again...for being with us last weekend at the Performing Arts Center at Cal-State Northridge. YOU WERE GREAT !!! It gave us a great kick to see that the audiences wouldn't let you off the stage after your final bows. They screamed, hollered and clamored for 'more' every show, the standing ovations were loud and overwhelming to the point you could have been all the way back to Philly and still they would have kept up the racket! A testimony, well deserved to your fine show, your exquisite musicianship and your being truly A CLASS ACT!
Sincerely,
Keith Evans
Evans Associates
"Show of the Month"
Please visit the 'crooner' link at the bottom of the page for much more on Al. There is also a message board on that site. And recently they are featuring 2 of Al Martino's CD's to be purchased that he has personally autographed.
GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS to HONOR AL MARTINO
Al is being honored by the GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS for having the very first record charted in the British Isles. The record was "HERE IN MY HEART" and it remained number one for 9 weeks. It will be the 50th anniversary next year for this wonderful record. The GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS is presenting him with a special award for this achievement.
On November 14, 1952 the comparatively new popular music newspaper, the "New Musical Express" became the first to print a chart of the best-selling records in Britain. Sheet music charts had existed in Britain off and on and "Billboard" magazine in America had been listing the best-selling records on that side of the Atlantic. The "New Musical Express" chart of November 14, 1952 was a TOP 12 that in reality was a TOP 15 because two records were placed in equal 7th, 8th and 11th places. The sheet music that was number one since October 25 of that year, "HERE IN MY HEART," also proved to be the number one record, as sung by young AL MARTINO. Al's record remained the number one single in 1952 for 9 weeks!!!
Al is still performing this beautiful song whereever he is performing today! Congratulations to Al!!
Sal DiDomenico
We had the pleasure of having Al Martino perform at our 75th Diamond Jubilee Italian Feast of saints Cosmos and Damian in Cambridge, MA in early September. He was outstanding. Not only was he the highlight of our feast, but he is total class act. Al and his wife Judi are the best.
People are still raving about Al's performance and the thousands of visitors (police estimates equal 10,000) who came to see his concert all left singing his songs. He is definitely an outstanding performer and unbelievable singer. We thank and salute Al Martino for helping make our feast the biggest and best it has been in our 75 year history.This is a review received while Al was performing at the Milwaukee Italian Festival:
Please click on the "CROONER" link and get involved with the AL MARTINO AWARD on the gmmy website.
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Al Martino
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