Singing Sensation Al Martino To Entertain In Coral Springs

Published April 24th, 2008

By Nicol Jenkins
Editor

Known for singing the Godfather theme song and revolutionizing the music industry, Al Martino will soon entertain residents in Coral Springs.

Martino will perform his hits including Spanish Eyes, Volare, and I Love You More and More Everyday, at the Coral Springs Center for the Arts April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

This is Martino’s first concert at the Center for the Arts but not his first performance in the city. In fact, he is very fond of Coral Springs.

“It used to be my home base. Whenever I played in Florida, I would stay in Coral Springs. I like the whole area,” said Martino.

Martino has performed all over the world and continues to serenade audiences with his charming personality and vocal talent. He actually sparked an interest in music watching his father sing comedy tunes at weddings and parties.

“I probably got his talent or vocal chords and cultivated them to suit whatever material I was singing,” he said.

But his quest to become a performer only took off when an old family friend and neighbor, Mario Lanza, encouraged him to pursue a musical career and move to New York. By 1950, Martino landed a record deal with Capitol Records, after winning the first prize in Arthur Godfrey’s "Talent Scout Show."

His singing debut began with the song Here In My Heart. The hit sold over one million copies and Martino became the first American artist to hit number one in the British single charts during 1952, consequently putting him into the Guinness Book of World Records.

After the hit, Martino switched his vocals from semi-classical to pop and moved to England. He began recording songs for Great Britain.

But in 1959, he moved back to the U.S. and started a new music career mixing country with pop. He released another CD and recorded the song, I Love You More and More Everyday.

“I was the first pop artist to cross over to country in a pop style,” Martino said.

That stardom took a turn to film. In 1972, he played the much sought-after role of Johnny Fontane in Frances Ford Coppola’s film The Godfather. Thus, he gained the respect of his fellow actors, including Marlon Brando and Robert Duvall. Martino also sang the film’s title score, The Love Theme From The Godfather.

“I was the first one cast in the Godfather. That was my first acting job, and I was lucky to get into that role,” he said.

“The rest is history.”

Martino says he is looking forward to his upcoming performance in Coral Springs.

“I like live performances. I never tire of them,” he said.

For tickets to the concert, contact 954-344-5990. For more information on Al Martino, visit www.almartino.com.