He is a singer born Gennaro Luigi Vitaliano in The Bronx, New York City. While he was at high school he used to shine shoes in a barber shop and sang while there. His boss was so impressed that he paid for him to have lessons and after having performed in school musicals this led to three years of work as a performer in a club in Yonkers.
He was given a contract after Guy Mitchell had heard him at the club, and this led to him being signed by Columbia who he stayed with for many years.
He had several hit records that include “You Can Never Give Me Back My Heart”, “Arrividerci Roma” and “You Don’t Know Me”, and his signature song “Al Di La”. He appeared in the films Casino and Goodfellas among others.
He died in his sleep of natural causes at home in Palm Desert, California in 2014 when he was 83 years old.
Recordings
I’ll Get By (Fred E. Ahlert/Roy Turk)
Columbia 63575 (CD: I Remember Buddy)
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