I chose this week’s theme thinking that today was the day we celebrated Columbus Day in the US. Well, that was last week, but it’s still a good theme. I found twenty artists who have ties to Italy, and where their stage names don’t indicate their Italian heritage, I’ll list their Italian names.
- Julius LaRosa, “Eh Cumpari”
- Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero (Connie Francis), “Lipstick On Your Collar”
- Catherine Gloria Balotta (Kaye Ballard), “In Other Words (Fly Me To The Moon)”
- Dino Paul Crocetti (Dean Martin), “Return To Me”
- Francesco Paolo LoVecchio (Frankie Laine), “High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)”
- Louis Prima, “Buona Sera”
- Gennaro Louis Vitaliano (Jerry Vale), “Pretend You Don’t See Her”
- Walden Robert Cassotto (Bobby Darin), “Beyond The Sea”
- Vic Damone, “On The Street Where You Live”
- Jasper Cini (Al Martino), “Spanish Eyes”
- Pierino (Perry) Como, “Catch A Falling Star”
- Annette Funicello, “O Dio Mio”
- Francis Thomas Avallone (Frankie Avalon), “Venus”
- Robert Louis Ridarelli (Bobby Rydell), “Wild One”
- Fabiano Anthony Forte (Fabian), “Tiger”
- Frederick Anthony Picariello, Jr. (Freddy Cannon), “Way Down Yonder In New Orleans”
- Gaetano Alberto (Guy) Lombardo, “Boo Hoo”
- Domenico Modugno, “Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)”
- Lorenzo Scapone (Enzo Stuarti), “Vesta La Giubba”
- Premiata Forneria Marconi, “Impressione di Settembre”
I didn’t include any Frank Sinatra or Tony Bennett. I figured enough of the other participants would have plenty of music by them.
That’s Monday’s Music Moves Me for October 17, 2022. Ciao!
Monday’s Music Moves Me is sponsored by Cathy, Alana, and Stacy, so be sure and visit them, where you can also find the Linky for the other participants.
The Sound of One Hand Typing 
This was such an educational topic. I learned a lot, overall. I understand why some of the performers felt they had to change their birth names (for whatever it’s worth, my paternal grandfather, who wasn’t Italian, also anglicized his name when he became a U.S. Citizen). Of your playlist, some were new, some were classics from my childhood, and I also have to say that I absolutely loved the very last song. Alana ramblinwitham
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Thank you so much for posting this, John. As the daughter of Sicilian immigrants, it was such a disappointment for us to see these musical stars having to change their names. For many of these performers this was not their choice but a decision made by the producers, the record companies and their agents. I really appreciate you showing their real names; I’m sure many people did not realize this was a very common practice.
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Glad you liked it! I’ve never understood the “why” behind stage names, or for that matter pen names. Maybe it’s an issue of spelling or fitting names on posters, I’m not sure.
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Many of the names were Anglicized to make them easier to pronounce and sound more American.
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Spanish Eyes makes me cry because I think of my mom and dad dancing.
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It’s a beautiful song and one that’s easy to dance to. I did a job once where they called for that song, and everybody hit the dance floor.
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Listened to most of those growing up. Such good memories. A lot I still have on my playlists.
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They’re classics! Just great songs sung by some of the nicest voices ever.
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These are great and love that Dean Martin song ” Remember me” because its such a classic. Catch a Falling Star is another great one and one my mom loved and would sing in the dining room of the long term care home. She sang it the day she died. She just went to sleep after her lunch and never woke up.
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Did you ever see the movie “Return To Me” with David Duchovny, Minnie Driver, and Carroll O’Connor? It was a real tear-jerker; I liked it because it was set in Chicago and Minnie Driver was like the girl-next-door. They used the song as the opening theme.
Beautiful story about your mom….
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I own that movie! It is such a nice , sweet film and I think, the last one with Carroll O’Connor. Yes, my mom…it is sweet…I miss her so.
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John,
Excellent! I like that you listed along side the artists’ name his/her real name. I grew up watching Perry Como and Dean Martin on TV. I never tire of listening to these old crooners. Connie Francis had beautiful voice. DH got me a copy of her Christmas album (digital download) which I really enjoyed. You picked out some great ones. I enjoyed listening to the entire playlist. The last song pick/artist was a nice way to wind thing down. I’m going to YouTube to listen to more by Premiata Forneria Marconi. Thanks for the theme suggestion. I’m taking music theme prompt requests for the new year. Have a boogietastic week, my friend!
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Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM for short) are still going, I think. The name means “Award-Winning Bakery Marconi.” They’ve been around since the ’70’s. Glad you liked the list; I just thought of every Italian singer I knew (besides Bennett and Sinatra, because I figured — it now appears incorrectly — that a lot of us would have chosen them) and picked a song for each. The first one was one I found en route to finding the rest…
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And since it is also Indigenous Peoples’ Day, how about some Buffy St. Marie and Marvin Rainwater.
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Maybe next year….
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Very comprehensive list
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Thanks!
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That’s a great list, John!
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Glad you liked it!
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