Al Martino
Alfred Cini was born on October 7, 1927 (age 99) in Philadelphia. While working in his familyâs construction business he also performed in local clubs and bars. It was family friend Mario Lanza who encouraged Al to move to New York and pursue a singing career.
After winning the Arthur Godfrey âTalent Scout Showâ, Al Martino landed a recording contract with Capitol records and tasted success immediately with âHere In My Heart,â that would sell over one million records and in 1952 put him into the Guinness Book of World Records as the first American artist to hit number one on the British charts.
In the U.S. it would be followed by million sellerâs âI Love You Because,â âI Love You More and More Everydayâ and âSpanish Eyesâ along with more than 40 other hit singles including, âPainted, Tainted Rose,â âLiving A Lie,â âWe Could,â âI Canât Get You Out of My Heart,â âMary In The Morning,â âLove Is Blue, âTo The Door of The Sunâ and âVolare,â that in 1976 reached #1 on the Italian and Belgium Hit Parade and was a Top Ten hit in Spain, Holland and France, as well as other European countries. Al played the much sought-after role of Johnny Fontane in Frances Ford Coppola's 1970âs epic film The Godfather.
When an artist is able to combine several important elementsânumerous international hit records, personal charisma, and a unique vocal styleâit inevitably leads to success.
Al Martino calls Beverly Hills home and continues to delight audiences worldwide with his performances.