Teddy Randazzo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Teddy Randazzo
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Randazzo in 1957
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Alessandro Carmelo Randazzo |
| Born | May 13, 1935 Brooklyn, New York US |
| Died | November 21, 2003 (aged 68) Orlando, Florida, US |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupation(s) | Songwriter, singer, arranger, record producer |
| Years active | 1954–1980s |
Alessandro Carmelo "Teddy" Randazzo (May 13, 1935 – November 21, 2003) was an American pop musician. He was a talented songwriter, singer, and music producer. Teddy wrote many popular songs, especially in the 1960s. Some of his most famous hits include "Goin' Out of My Head" and "It's Gonna Take a Miracle".
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Early Life and Music Beginnings
Teddy Randazzo was born in Brooklyn, New York. When he was young, he played the accordion. He joined a music group called The Three Chuckles.
The group had their first hit song, "Runaround," in 1954. It became a top 20 hit. Teddy and his group often appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. This was a very popular TV show at the time.
In 1955, Teddy became the main singer for The Three Chuckles. He sang on their songs "Times Two, I Love You" and "And the Angels Sing." Because of his success, a famous disc jockey named Alan Freed noticed him. Alan Freed even featured Teddy in the movie Rock, Rock, Rock.
Teddy as a Solo Artist
Teddy also released music on his own. He had three songs that made it onto the Billboard Hot 100 chart. These were "Little Serenade" (1958), "The Way of a Clown" (1960), and "Big Wide World" (1963).
He performed in many rock music shows organized by Alan Freed. He shared the stage with other famous artists like Chuck Berry. Teddy also acted in several rock and roll movies. These included Hey, Let's Twist! and The Girl Can't Help It.
Becoming a Hit Songwriter
Teddy Randazzo became very well known for writing songs for other artists. He often worked with his songwriting partner, Bobby Weinstein.
One of their first big hits was "Pretty Blue Eyes." Steve Lawrence sang this song in the US, and Craig Douglas sang it in the UK in 1959. Both versions were very popular.
Songs for Little Anthony & The Imperials
Teddy wrote many songs for the group Little Anthony and the Imperials. He also produced and arranged their albums in the mid-1960s.
Some of their hit songs written by Teddy include:
- "Goin' Out of My Head" (1964): This song was a big hit and was later recorded by many other artists.
- "Hurt So Bad" (1965): This song also became very popular. Later, the Lettermen and Linda Ronstadt recorded their own versions.
- "I'm On The Outside (Looking In)" and "Take Me Back": These were also top 20 hits for the group.
A famous medley (a mix of songs) combined "Goin' Out of My Head" with another hit song. This medley reached number 7 on the charts in 1968.
Working with The Royalettes
Teddy also worked with a girl group from Baltimore called the Royalettes. He produced and arranged two albums for them.
One of their biggest songs was "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" in 1965. Teddy gave their songs a rich, full sound using a large orchestra. This song was later recorded by Laura Nyro and Deniece Williams. Deniece Williams' version became a number 1 R&B hit in 1982.
Teddy produced 27 songs for The Royalettes. Many of these songs were later released together on a CD.
Other Famous Recordings
Many of Teddy Randazzo's songs became pop classics. Famous singers like Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra recorded his tunes.
"Goin' Out of My Head" is one of the most recorded songs ever. It has been recorded by over 400 artists. It has sold more than 100 million copies.
Later, Teddy wrote songs for the soul group the Manhattans in the 1970s. These included "It Feels So Good To Be Loved So Bad." He also wrote and produced for the Stylistics.
During this time, Teddy often wrote songs with Roger Joyce and Souren Mozian. He also wrote with his girlfriend at the time, Victoria Pike.
Touring and Performances
In the early and mid-1960s, Teddy Randazzo toured a lot with his own band. They performed at famous places like the Copacabana in New York. They also played regularly in Las Vegas.
Teddy was especially popular in Hawaii. His early songs were big hits on the local music charts there.
Later Years and Legacy
Teddy Randazzo married R. Shelly Kunewa from Hawaii. He spent his time living between Hawaii and Florida. He continued to write and produce music.
He produced and arranged the album Honolulu City Lights for Keola & Kapono Beamer. The title song was a hit. The album became a classic in Hawaii. In 2004, it was chosen as the number 1 Hawaii album of all time.
Teddy Randazzo passed away in 2003 at his home in Orlando, Florida. He was 68 years old.
Songwriters Hall of Fame
In 2007, Teddy Randazzo and his writing partner, Bobby Weinstein, were honored. They were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This happened 50 years after they first started writing songs together.
See also
- List of Italian American entertainers
