Buddy Greco facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Buddy Greco
Greco in 1962
Background information
Birth name	Armando Joseph Greco
Born	(1926-08-14)August 14, 1926 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	January 10, 2017(2017-01-10) (aged 90) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Genres	Jazz dance traditional pop
Occupation(s)	Singer pianist composer songwriter
Instruments	Vocals piano
Years active	1942–2017
Labels	Bainbridge, Kapp, London, Epic, Fontana, Reprise, Pye

Armando Joseph "Buddy" Greco (born August 14, 1926) was a famous American singer and pianist. He played jazz and pop music for many years. He had a very long career in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

His songs sold millions of copies! Some of his big hits included "Oh Look A-There Ain't She Pretty" and "The Lady Is a Tramp," which sold over a million copies. He recorded more than sixty albums! He even conducted the London Symphony Orchestra and performed for Queen Elizabeth II. Imagine playing with the Beatles – he did that too! Buddy Greco passed away on January 10, 2017, at the age of 90.

Buddy Greco's Music Journey

Greco and George Carlin in a TV skit from Away We Go, 1967

Buddy Greco was born Armando Joseph Greco in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family was Italian-American. His mom taught him piano when he was just four years old. As a kid, he sang on the radio. As a teenager, he performed in nightclubs in Philadelphia.

When he was 16, a famous bandleader named Benny Goodman hired him. Buddy toured the world with Goodman's orchestra for four years. He played piano, sang, and helped arrange the music. In 1951, Buddy started recording his own music. He signed with big record companies like Kapp and Epic.

In 1967, he hosted a TV show called Away We Go with comedian George Carlin. Famous musicians like Buddy Rich also appeared on the show. He also acted in a movie called The Girl Who Knew Too Much. Later, in 1969, he formed a music duo with jazz guitarist Ron Escheté.

Life in Las Vegas and Palm Springs

Buddy Greco met his last wife, Lezlie Anders, in Las Vegas. She was performing there, and they met on stage. After they got married, they worked and toured together. In 1992, he performed in Las Vegas again. This started a new part of his career.

The next year, he was added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame. Soon after, he toured in Italy, France, Australia, and England.

While living in Palm Springs, California, Buddy Greco opened a small club. The walls were covered with pictures of him and his famous friends. He often performed there, and it became a popular spot for celebrities. After closing that club, he moved to England.

Performing in Britain

Buddy Greco first visited Great Britain in 1949. He spent many years performing in clubs there. He eventually moved to Essex, England. He kept his Palm Springs home for vacations. In 2008, he and Lezlie toured the UK. They performed with the BBC Big Band and at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London.

In August 2008, he was the first Las Vegas star to perform at a British casino. This was at the Circus Casino in Birmingham. In April 2010, he performed a tribute to Frank Sinatra for BBC Radio 2. He sang with the 42-piece BBC Concert Orchestra. He also toured the UK with a show called Swinging Las Vegas Legends.

In 2010, Buddy and his wife created a stage show called Fever! The Music of Miss Peggy Lee. It was very popular in London's West End. Buddy played piano and conducted the orchestra while Lezlie sang. On New Year's Eve 2011, he appeared on the TV show Hootenanny. He sang "Fly Me to the Moon".

In 2012, he toured the UK in smaller venues. Buddy Greco passed away in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2017. He was 90 years old.

One of his albums, Let the Sunshine In, was released in 1969. It included songs like "Let the Sunshine In" and "Like a Rolling Stone".

Awards and Honors

• Inducted into the Walk of Fame by the Philadelphia Music Alliance.
• Featured in the Encyclopedia of Great Musicians.
• Also featured in the Encyclopedia of Great Jazz Singers and Musicians.
• Inducted into the Grand Order of Water Rats in 2011.

Buddy Greco's Music Albums

Buddy Greco, by Allan Warren

Albums he led

• Buddy Greco at Mister Kelly's (1956)
• Broadway Melodies (1956)
• My Buddy (1959)
• Let's Love (1961)
• I Like It Swinging (1961)
• Songs for Swinging Losers (1961)
• Buddy & Soul (1962)
• Soft and Gentle (1963)
• Buddy's Back in Town (1963)
• Sings for Intimate Moments with Dave Grusin (1963)
• My Last Night in Rome (1964)
• Modern Sounds of Hank Williams (1964)
• Here's Buddy Greco (1964)
• On Stage (1964)
• From the Wrists Down (1965)
• I Love a Piano (1965)
• Buddy Greco Sings and Plays with the Hollywood All Stars (1965)
• Big Band & Ballads (1966)
• Buddy's in a Brand New Bag (1966)
• Away We Go! (1966)
• Let the Sunshine In (1969)
• It's My Life (1972)
• Movin' On (1973)
• Buddy Greco Live (1974)
• For Once in My Life (1979)
• Live at the Sands (1980)
• Hot Nights (1982)
• Ready for Your Love (1984)
• Movin' On (1989)
• It's Magic (1990)
• 'Round Midnight (1992)
• Route 66 (1994)
• In Style (1996)
• Jazz Grooves (1998)

Hit Singles

• ^A "The Lady Is a Tramp" reached No. 26 in the UK Singles charts.

See also

In Spanish: Buddy Greco para niños