Al Martino

An emotive, Italian-American pop singer in the vein of Perry Como and Tony Bennett, Al Martino enjoyed a lengthy string of hit singles and albums for over 20 years, beginning with 1952's "Here in My Heart" and running through the early 1970s. He was also the first American performer to score a No. 1 hit on the British charts, an achievement which landed him in the record books, thanks to its popularity with record buyers. The influence of criminal elements took him out of the business at a crucial point, but his unflagging determination brought him back to the limelight in the 1960s, culminating with his signature hit, "Spanish Eyes" in 1965. In 1972, he received an unlikely career boost with his turn as a failed, Sinatra-esque singer in "The Godfather" and its subsequent sequels. An impressive body of work and an irrefutable talent helped to make Al Martino a vibrant reminder of the golden days of pop crooners and a popular concert draw right up until his death in 2009.