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'Godfather' singer Al Martino dies in Pa. at 82
AP on Yahoo ^ | 10/13/09 | AP

Posted on 10/13/2009 8:53:32 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

SPRINGFIELD, Pa. – The singer who played the Frank Sinatra-type role of Johnny Fontane in "The Godfather" has died at his childhood home in suburban Philadelphia.

Publicist Sandy Friedman says Al Martino died Tuesday afternoon in Springfield, in Delaware County. He was 82.

Starting in 1952, Martino was known for hit songs including "Here in My Heart," "Spanish Eyes," "Can't Help Falling in Love" and "Volare."

Besides acting in the Marlon Brando classic "The Godfather," he sang the 1972 film's title score, "The Love Theme From The Godfather." His Fontane character is a singer and occasional actor.

(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: almartino; dies; godfather; music; singer
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1 posted on 10/13/2009 8:53:32 PM PDT by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge

He had a beautiful voice...RIP.


2 posted on 10/13/2009 8:56:01 PM PDT by scott7278 (Obama, Klaatu barada nikto!)
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To: scott7278

Volare 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BS87g9b8jTA


3 posted on 10/13/2009 8:59:30 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: scott7278

I was stationed in Germany in the mid-60’s, and Al Martino’s “Spanish Eyes” was on every jukebox in every GastHaus I went into...the Germans loved that song, even though it was in English. I think that song, and “Wooly Bully” were the only English songs on most of those jukes.


4 posted on 10/13/2009 8:59:41 PM PDT by FrankR (To Congress: You cram it down our throats in '09, We'll shove it up your ass in '10!)
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To: NormsRevenge

Perfectly cast in The Godfather.


5 posted on 10/13/2009 8:59:41 PM PDT by TexasNative2000 (Barack Obama - the Teachers Pet of international socialists.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Great talent. R.I.P.


6 posted on 10/13/2009 8:59:55 PM PDT by ConservativeStatement (Obama lies, Freedom dies)
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To: FrankR

Spanish Eyes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7ppwWd0kJs


7 posted on 10/13/2009 9:00:54 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: NormsRevenge
he sang the 1972 film's title score, "The Love Theme From The Godfather."

Is this true? On my soundtrack CD, I'm pretty sure that the "love theme" is an instrumental.
8 posted on 10/13/2009 9:01:09 PM PDT by irishjuggler
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To: scott7278

I just watched Godfather a couple of days ago. Eerie. I just wanted a replay of how Sonny beat the crap out of his brother-in-law in the street and in that scene he held back a bit throwing the garbage can at his head.


9 posted on 10/13/2009 9:02:08 PM PDT by max americana (i)
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To: NormsRevenge
Johnny Fontane: A month ago he bought the rights to this book, a best seller. The main character is a guy just like me. I wouldn't even have to act, just be myself. Oh, Godfather, I don't know what to do, I don't know what to do... [All of a sudden, Don Corleone rises from his chair and gives Fontane a savage shake]

Don Corleone: YOU CAN ACT LIKE A MAN! [gives a quick slap to Fontane]

Don Corleone: What's the matter with you? Is this what you've become, a Hollywood finocchio who cries like a woman? "Oh, what do I do? What do I do?" What is that nonsense? Ridiculous!


10 posted on 10/13/2009 9:03:25 PM PDT by FormerACLUmember (When the past no longer illuminates the future, the spirit walks in darkness.)
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To: irishjuggler

apparently both versions were available..

instrumental followed by a vocal version.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speak_Softly_Love_(Love_Theme_From_The_Godfather)


11 posted on 10/13/2009 9:04:00 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: FormerACLUmember

A Classic Film.


12 posted on 10/13/2009 9:04:58 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: FormerACLUmember

A perfectly good horse lost it’s head over that wimpy character.


13 posted on 10/13/2009 9:05:11 PM PDT by Rebelbase (This is the time of year when ACORNS fall.)
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To: irishjuggler

Michael: Well, give him a call. Hello, Johnny.

Johnny Fontane: Mike, it’s nice to see you again.

Michael: We’re all proud of you. Sit down, Johnny, I want to talk to you. The Don’s proud of you, too.

Johnny Fontane: Well, I owe it all to him.

Michael: He knows how grateful you are. That’s why he’d like to ask a favor.

Johnny Fontane: Mike, what can I do?

Michael: The Corleone family is thinking of giving up all of its interest in the olive oil business, settling out here. Now Moe Greene will sell us his share of the hotel and the casino so that it can be completely owned by the family. Tom.

[Hagen hands Michael some papers]

Fredo: Hey, Mike, are you sure about that? I mean, Moe, loves the business. He never said anything to me about sellin’.

Michael: I’ll make him an offer he can’t refuse. You see,
Johnny, we feel that entertainment is going to be a big factor in drawing gamblers into the casinos. We’re hoping that you’ll sign a contract agreeing to appear 5 times a year. Perhaps convince some of your friends in the movies to do the same. We’re counting on you, Johnny.

Johnny Fontane: Sure, Mike, I’ll do anything for my Godfather. You know that.


14 posted on 10/13/2009 9:05:24 PM PDT by Patrick1 (I'm not calling in sick; I'm calling in gone!)
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To: NormsRevenge

I grew up listening to his records at my grandmom’s house, back in the ‘60s.
RIP


15 posted on 10/13/2009 9:05:46 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: NormsRevenge
Thanks for the link, NormsRevenge, however, I'm one of the only people left in America still on dial-up; we're like the people without health insurance, and I know the gub'mint is going to provide us with "socialized high-speed internet" any day now. /sarc.

Anyway, watching videos on youtube is next to an impossibility on dial-up, but, I do have the mp3 on my computer.
16 posted on 10/13/2009 9:06:16 PM PDT by FrankR (To Congress: You cram it down our throats in '09, We'll shove it up your ass in '10!)
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To: FormerACLUmember

“A man who doesn’t spend time with his family can never be a real man.”


17 posted on 10/13/2009 9:07:08 PM PDT by dfwgator
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Instrumental

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMGE8pks9UE

Vocal

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXVQX6HGVy0&feature=related


18 posted on 10/13/2009 9:07:45 PM PDT by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ... Godspeed .. Monthly Donor Onboard)
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To: NormsRevenge

Great song, but I hate that lip-sync stuff.


19 posted on 10/13/2009 9:08:01 PM PDT by Lancey Howard
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To: NormsRevenge
Volare 1976

You didn't like the Newbomb Turk version?

20 posted on 10/13/2009 9:09:24 PM PDT by dfwgator
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