Official PJ Proby Forum

Al Martino one of that great batch of crooners in the Sinatra class has passed away.He, like P.J. is a legend & a top class singer.He was 82 & right up to the end he was still touring.Not too long ago he was in the U.K playing to packed out theatres.I guess P.J as a growing teenager heard Al a lot on the radio in the early to mid 50's.Like Elvis, P.J. was influenced by all kinds of music whilst growing up.I'm sure P.J. admired him.
Al was in the movie blockbuster" The Godfather" with Marlon Brando & also hit the charts many times.......two of his most famous songs being "Here in my heart",a no 1 in 1952 & "Spanish eyes",a top 5 hit in 1973.My favourite song by him was "The man from Laramie".
R.I.P. Al.
Ron

Like you Ron I was a "fan" of Al Martino. I had his Man from Laramie on a 78 no less He was my introduction to popular music as my mum had his record of "Here In My Heart", which was played on a windup gramaphone, set in a cabinet with doors that opened to let out the sound, I was 13 at the time but it was a few years before I was able to buy my own records - unlike the kids of today. I am saddened to hear of his passing.

hi Annie,
The kids of today have it far too easy,spoilt rotten! As you say, everything we had,which wasn't much, we had to earn.I did have pocket money from about 13 onwards.....think it was about 2 bob.I earned an extra 6 pence from delivering the "Birmingham Mail" to an elderly lady 6 nights a week & another 6 pence for delivering greengrocery & bags of coal locally on a hand pushed trolley every Saturday morning.I had to wear shorts until I was 15 & always had to have a short back & sides on my Dad's orders (ex Sergeant Major).And yet I loved every minute of it!! Most kids today have an attitude & far too much to say & they show no respect to anyone or anything.
I only had money for luxuries like a record player & records when I started work in 1964 & back then for me Elvis & his musicals saw me at the "flicks" a lot.I'd love to go back to those good old, bad old days & watch P.J. on TV stealing the show on "Around The Beatles" & then hitting the big time.I missed all that the first time round..no long haired louts allowed on our telly!..thanks Dad!
Sorry I've rambled on,
Ron

Oh Ron, how old you make me feel, I started work in 1956 at the age of 17!! I do agree with you those days were the best to grow up in, we were more innocent in the 50s though, it all went mad in the 60s, by which time I was married with 2 kids. I don't like the way kids today can do just as they please and claim their human rights.
Enough of this now, we've really gone off on a tangent. Music in the 50s was big bands etc. and there were charts on sheet music - bought in Woolworths, even though we didn't play instruments. I can still picture the music of "Here In My Heart" by Al Martino.