Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti (June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995), was an Italian American singer, film actor, and comedian. He was one of the most famous music artists in the 1950s and 1960s. He was often referred to as “the coolest man who ever lived,” and many people worldwide hung on to Dean Martin’s every smile. He was a magnificent singer whose voice oozed sensuality as he beguiled audience after audience with an aura of flippant nonchalance. Known as One of the crooners who embraced his Italian heritage the most, his smooth voice could croon his way through a ballad like no other, but when he's singing in Italian, that's when he truly shined. Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra were the best of friends, on and off stage. “They respected each other — they were not known to be jealous of each other, Sinatra made matching diamond pinky rings with his signature crest for the bosom buddies. Dean reportedly never took his off.

* The Italian-Americans majority hailed largely from central and southern parts of Italy, where They settled in major urban centers like New York, Chicago, New Orleans, Boston and San Francisco. The rich musical heritage that the Italian immigrants brought with them has had a major impact on shaping United States musical culture as a whole; Italian Americans and Italian nationals who have played an important role in both classical and popular music in the United States. Enrico Caruso was a main attraction at American opera houses in the early twentieth century, paving the way for singers of Italian heritage born in the United States. Singing stars such as Frank Sinatra, Perry Como, Dean Martin, Tony Bennett, Al Martino, Louis Prima, Vic Damone, Connie Francis, Dion Dimucci and Lou Monte (just to mention a few) have garnered millions of American fans for their easy-going vocal style and charisma, with their Italian heritage and influence came through their English-Language recordings. These are not just songs of Italian-American crooners — it's an intimate account of Italian-American life, a history of an enduring art form, a tribute to family, an evocation of the power of song, and a deeply personal reckoning with the music itself.

From Bon Jovi to Frank Sinatra, many of today’s millennials are unaware of the talent Italian Americans brought to the music industry. With a culture like no other, it’s no wonder why Italian Americans have made such an impact in the music scene through the years. Some of these artists almost gave up on their dreams, fought in the wars, fought on the streets, fought in the ring, and all risked everything they had to become the people they came to be. *

Italian American Golden Era

* From my own cd and vinyl collection
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