Buddy Greco

Armando "Buddy" Greco (August 14, 1926 – January 10, 2017) was an American jazz and pop singer and pianist. His recordings, in several genres, have sold over one million records.

Music career

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. He also recorded many hit songs in jazz, pop, and country music, 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.

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.[1] He worked with Ron Eschete from 1969–1970. The duo appeared in several TV shows, including The Mike Douglas Show.

Las Vegas and Palm Springs

Greco met 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 thirteen-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.

While living in Palm Springs, Greco opened a small club. On the walls were pictures of Greco, the Rat Pack, and other celebrity friends, the room arranged by his wife. He often performed at his club, and it was a popular place for stars to dine before he closed it and moved to England.

Living in Palm Desert, California, he continued to appear at his club in Cathedral City, California, until it closed in August 2009.

In 2004 he and his wife Lezlie Anders were headliners with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies at the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California.

Life in England

Greco became acquainted with the UK in 1949. He spent years performing in clubs around England. He moved to Essex, though he still owned his house in Palm Springs, California, where he often spent vacations.

In 2008, Greco toured the UK with Anders. Together they performed with the BBC Big Band and played at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. Greco was the first Las Vegas headliner to star at a British casino when he performed in cabaret in August 2008 at the Circus Casino, Star City, Birmingham. In April 2010, he performed a salute to Frank Sinatra for BBC Radio 2 with the 42-piece BBC Concert Orchestra. He toured the UK for over 30 dates from July 2010 with the Swinging Las Vegas Legends Show.

In 2010 Greco and his wife produced the stage show Fever! The Music of Miss Peggy Lee, which met with critical acclaim and opened in London's West End. The inspiration came from his wife, who was a friend of Lee. The show tells of the life and music of Peggy Lee. Greco plays piano and conducts the orchestra while his wife sings. The show received positive reviews and toured the U.S.

On New Year's Eve 2011 he made a guest appearance on Jools Holland's Hootenanny singing Fly Me to the Moon backed by the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.

In 2012, Greco toured England in smaller venues, including Thameside Theatre Stage, and The Broadway in Essex.

In 2013, Greco celebrated his 80th year in show business in a concert in Southend, Essex. Stars such as the Rat Pack cast, Atila, Kenny Lynch, Paul Young and Michelle Collins were present to celebrate his career and also took part throughout the evening. Greco and his wife performed together.

Awards and honors

• Inductee, Walk of Fame, Philadelphia Music Alliance
• Appears in Encyclopedia of Great Musicians and the Encyclopedia of Great Jazz Singers and Musicians

Personal life

Greco married five times:

• Sally Baionno (1947–1962), divorced, 3 children
• Dani Crayne (1961–1974), actress, divorced
• Margret Kinley (1974–1977), divorced, 1 child Anastasia Greco
• Jackie Sabatino (1977–?), 3 children
• Lezlie Anders (14 April 1995–his death)

Partial discography

 

• Around the World (Epic)
• Lady Is a Tramp (Epic)
• Buddy Greco at Mister Kelly's 1956
• My Buddy (Epic) 1959
• Broadway Melodies (Kapp) 1960
• Buddy (Kapp) 1960
• Songs for Swinging Losers (Epic) 1960
• All Time Favorites (Sutton-Stereo) 1960
• Back in Town (Epic) 1961
• I Like It Swinging (Epic) 1961
• Buddy and Soul (Epic) 1962
• Let's Love (Epic) 1962
• Sings for Intimate Moments (Epic) 1963
• Soft and Gentle (Epic) 1963
• Buddy Greco on Stage! (Epic) 1964
• My Last Night in Rome (Epic) 1964
• I Love a Piano (Studio 2 Stereo) 1965
• In a Brand New Bag (Reprise) 1966
• Big Band and Ballads (Reprise) 1966 
• Away, We Go (Reprise) 1966
• Let the Sunshine In (Wand) 1970
• It's My Life (Pye) 1972
• Movin' On (Pye) 1973
• Buddy Greco 'Live' (Pye) 1974
• Live at the Sands (Picc-a-Dilly) 1980
• Ready for Your Love 1984
• It's Magic (Prestige) 1990
• Round Midnight (Bay Cities) 1992
• All-Time Favourite's Featuring Buddy Greco (Sutton)
• Buddy Greco Sings (Boulevard)[17]
• Buddy Greco (World Record Club)