Buddy Greco | |
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Greco in 1962
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Background information | |
Birth name | Armando Joseph Greco |
Born |
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
August 14, 1926
Died | January 10, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
(aged 90)
Genres | Jazz, traditional pop, country, soundtrack |
Occupation(s) | Singer, musician, arranger |
Instruments | Piano |
Years active | 1942–2017 |
Labels | Bainbridge, Kapp, London, Epic, Fontana, Reprise, Pye |
Associated acts | Benny Goodman |
Website | www |
Armando Joseph "Buddy" Greco (August 14, 1926 – January 10, 2017) was an American jazz and pop singer and pianist, who had a long career in the US and UK and was good friends with the Rat Pack. His recordings, in several genres including jazz, pop, and country, have sold millions of records, including "Oh Look A-There", "Ain't She Pretty", "Up, Up and Away" and "Around the World". His most successful single was "The Lady Is a Tramp", which sold over one million copies. During his career, he recorded over sixty albums. He conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, performed for Queen Elizabeth II, and with the Beatles.
Buddy Greco was born Armando Greco in Philadelphia. His mother introduced him to piano at the age of four. At an early age he was singing and performing on radio and, during his teens, in Philadelphia clubs. When he was 16, he was hired by Benny Goodman and toured worldwide. He spent four years with Goodman's orchestra, singing, playing piano, and arranging.
After leaving Goodman at the age of 20, he returned to nightclubs, singing and playing piano, and launching his recording career.
In the 1960s his career expanded into movies and television. He appeared often in the TV series Away We Go and had a role in the movie The Girl Who Knew Too Much. He worked with Ron Escheté from 1969–1970. The duo appeared in several TV shows, including The Mike Douglas Show.
Greco met fifth and last wife Lezlie Anders while she was performing in Las Vegas. Their first meeting was when they stepped out on stage together, as she was a support act for him at the Desert Inn. After marrying, they worked and toured together.
In 1992 Greco began a 13-week act in Las Vegas at the Starlight Room at Stars' Desert Inn. This brought about his second big period of fame. The following year he was added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame. Shortly after, he toured Italy, France, Australia, and England.