Vic Damone facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vic Damone
Damone in 1959
Background information
Birth name	Vito Rocco Farinola
Born	(1928-06-12)June 12, 1928 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	February 11, 2018(2018-02-11) (aged 89) Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Traditional pop big band
Occupation(s)	Singer actor presenter
Years active	1947–2001
Labels	Mercury Columbia Capitol Warner Bros. RCA Victor Crown

Vic Damone, whose real name was Vito Rocco Farinola, was a famous American singer and actor. He was born on June 12, 1928, and passed away on February 11, 2018.

He was known for his smooth voice and popular songs. Some of his biggest hits include "You're Breaking My Heart" (which was a number one song!) and "On the Street Where You Live" from the musical My Fair Lady. He also sang "I Have But One Heart".

Vic Damone's Life and Career

Growing Up in Brooklyn

St Finbar's Church, Brooklyn, where Vic Damone sang as a boy.

Vic Damone was born in Brooklyn, New York. His parents, Rocco and Mamie Farinola, came from Italy. His dad was an electrician, and his mom taught piano. Vic was inspired by the famous singer Frank Sinatra. He started taking voice lessons to learn how to sing well.

He also sang in the church choir at St. Finbar's Church in Brooklyn. When his father got hurt at work, Vic had to leave Lafayette High School. He then worked as an usher and elevator operator at the Paramount Theater in Manhattan.

Starting His Singing Career

While working at the Paramount Theater, Vic Damone met the famous singer Perry Como. Vic was so brave that he stopped the elevator between floors and sang for Perry Como! Como was very impressed and helped Vic get an audition.

Vic started his career at a New York radio station called WHN when he was 17. He sang on a show called Gloom Dodgers. A comedian on the show, Morey Amsterdam, suggested he change his name to Vic Damone.

In April 1947, Vic won a talent show called Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts. This helped him become a regular singer on Godfrey's show. He also met Milton Berle, who helped him get jobs singing in nightclubs. By the middle of 1947, Vic Damone had signed a contract with Mercury Records.

His first song, "I Have But One Heart", became a top 10 hit. Another song, "You Do", also reached the top 10. He had many more hit songs after that. In 1948, he even got his own weekly radio show, Saturday Night Serenade.

Movies and TV Appearances

Vic Damone made his first TV appearance in 1949 on The Morey Amsterdam Show. He later appeared many times on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town. He even sang duets with the singer Dinah Shore. Over the next 30 years, he was a popular guest on many TV variety shows.

In 1951, Vic Damone acted in two movies: The Strip and Rich, Young and Pretty. From 1951 to 1953, he served in the United States Army. He recorded songs before he left, which were released while he was serving.

After the army, he married actress Pier Angeli in 1954. He also made more movies like Deep in My Heart and Athena. In 1955, he played a main role in the movie musical Kismet. In 1960, he acted in the war film Hell to Eternity.

In 1956, Vic Damone moved to Columbia Records. He had more hits there, including "On the Street Where You Live" and "An Affair to Remember".

Vic Damone with composer Harold Arlen and singer Peggy Lee in 1961.

In 1961, he joined Capitol Records. He recorded some of his most popular albums there, like Linger Awhile with Vic Damone.

Vic also hosted a TV show called The Lively Ones in the summers of 1962 and 1963. This show featured many jazz, pop, and folk singers. He also appeared on The Judy Garland Show several times.

Later Years and Retirement

In the 1970s, Vic Damone started performing in Las Vegas casinos. He toured the United States and the United Kingdom, recording more albums.

In 1991, Vic Damone appeared in a TV commercial for Diet Pepsi during the Super Bowl XXV. He sang with other stars like Jerry Lewis and Ray Charles.

His last album was released in 2002. Vic Damone suffered a stroke later that year and decided to retire from singing. However, he came out of retirement for one special performance on January 22, 2011. He sang at the Kravis Performing Arts Center in Palm Beach, Florida. He dedicated this show to his six grandchildren, who had never seen him perform live.

In 2009, Vic Damone released his autobiography, a book about his own life, called Singing Was the Easy Part.

Vic Damone passed away on February 11, 2018, at the age of 89.

Vic Damone's Family Life

Vic Damone was married five times. He had one son, Perry Damone (who passed away in 2014), with his first wife, actress Pier Angeli. He also had three daughters, Victoria, Andrea, and Daniella, with his second wife, Judith Rawlins. Vic had six grandchildren.

His first wife, Pier Angeli, was once in a relationship with actor James Dean. She later married Vic Damone.

Vic Damone was raised Roman Catholic. Later in his life, he joined the Baháʼí Faith.

His last wife was Rena Rowan-Damone, a fashion designer. She started the Jones New York clothing store chain. She passed away in 2016.

Awards and Recognition

In 1997, Vic Damone received his high school diploma from Lafayette High School. He gave a speech at the graduation ceremony.

Also in 1997, he received the Sammy Cahn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. This award recognized his long and successful career in music.

The famous singer Frank Sinatra once said that Vic Damone had "the best set of pipes in the business." This meant he had an amazing singing voice.

For his contributions to music, Vic Damone has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California.

In 2014, he received the first Legend Award from the Society for the Preservation of the Great American Songbook. This award honored his important work in traditional American music.

Hit Songs

Here are some of Vic Damone's songs that made it onto the music charts:

See also

In Spanish: Vic Damone para niños