Al Martino: Biography

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• Guy Mitchell
• Buddy Greco
• Frank Sinatra
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• Irving Berlin
• Oscar Hammerstein II
• Harry Warren
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• Charlie Singleton

Birth Name:

Alfred Cini

Born:

Oct 7, 1927 in Philadelphia, PA

Died:

Oct 13, 2009 in Springfield, PA

Genres:

Standards & Vocal Music, Traditional Pop Vocal Music

Decades Active:

1950's|1960's|1970's|1980's|1990's|2000's

Artistic Quality

High

Cultural Impact

High

Popularity

High

Ratings Guide

Italian singer Al Martino had four hits from 1952 to 1953 and then vanished until the end of the decade -- the result of being too young to handle his success and having various disreputable elements vying for control of his career. Martino tried to continue recording in England, to no avail, and returned to America in 1958. After re-signing to Capitol Records the following year, he launched a string of 34 Hot 100 singles that would last until 1977. During the '60s Martino blended country elements with pop songs, blurring the lines between the two genres. In 1972 he appeared in Francis Ford Coppola's masterpiece, The Godfather, as singer Johnny Fontaine, a role that strongly resembled Frank Sinatra's life. In 2000, after a 20-year hiatus from recording, Martino released Style, a new collection of pop standards.

- Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide