‘Amore’: Italian-American Singers In The 20th Century
Apparently, Dean Martin didn’t much like the song “That’s Amore,” but in 1953 it became one of his biggest hits. It’s a song that seems to capture a moment in pop history when nearly every hit was performed by an Italian-American singer. The story of “That’s Amore” and the songs made famous by Frank Sinatra, Perry Como and others is told in a new book called Amore. Weekend All Things Considered host Guy Raz recently spoke with the author, Mark Rotella, about Italian singers in 20th-century America.
“That’s Amore” came from a movie called The Caddy, starring Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis; it’s about an Italian man who plays a golf pro and is followed by a faithful caddy. In the movie, when the two return to Italy and are greeted by their Italian family, they break into this song. When we hear it today, it sounds like a caricature of Italian culture. But, Rotella says, it served as an introduction to Italian culture for many Americans.
“It was one of the more obvious ones,” he says. “There were Italian singers before, but this led to other kitschy songs, like Rosemary Clooney’s ‘Mambo Italiano,’ and so many other songs that came after that were kind of kitschy but were also really pop and kind of fun.”
Rotella’s book isn’t just about Italian-American singers. It’s also about a turning point in 20th-century America when Italian entertainers started to be seen as American entertainers. Rotella says that there was a Golden Age of entertainment that started around 1947.
“This is when second- and third-generation Americans of Italian decent were coming of age,” he says. “This is post-war; it was a time of optimism. This era was basically the end of the big band and the beginning of the solo voice, and this lasted through the ’50s, up until I’d say 1964, with The Beatles.”
This was happening during a period when there was a great deal of discrimination against Italians in America. For example, this excerpt was taken from a profile on Joe DiMaggio from Life Magazine in 1939.
“Although he learned Italian first, Joe now speaks English without an accent. … Instead of olive oil or smelly bear grease, he keeps his hair slicked with water. He never reeks of garlic and prefers chicken chow mein to spaghetti.”
These kinds of comments were acceptable in mainstream dialogue, and yet a few years later, Italian singers would dominate the pop charts.
“This is the time when so many singers were now seen on TV,” Rotella says. “They were good-looking. They had a certain sensibility, a certain attitude that was open and charming.”
Rotella says that nearly every singer he interviewed named Enrico Caruso as an influence. Caruso was the first pop artist to sell a million copies of his music, offering his recordings on flat discs for the RCA Victor Vitrolas of the time. Rotella says that this shaped the way music was sold for years to come.
“They sold so much, this really defined how music was recorded and on what medium,” Rotella says. “It was going to be Victor on the flat plastic records.”
One of the singers Rotella includes in his book is none other than the king of the golden age of Italian-American music, Frank Sinatra. Rotella calls Sinatra’s song “Fly Me to the Moon” a metaphor for all of the breakthroughs that Italian singers achieved.
“When you hear the song, it’s optimistic,” he says. “It’s kind of dreamy, forward-thinking, but it’s tough. He says, ‘fly me to the moon,’ but it’s almost as if he’s there already. This is coming at a time when music was going to change. It’s the tail-end of the success of the Rat Pack. It was at this time that almost total assimilation of Italians had happened. In ways, I feel like after this [song], there were so many Italians that followed him. Not necessarily performing Italian music; we wouldn’t necessarily know them as Italians today. This song of reaching the moon seemed to me to be every immigrant’s dream of assimilating.
(Note: videos were added to this article ~Marie)
Descendants from Sicilian village keep their heritage alive in America
Between 1880 and 1920 over four million Italians were recorded as entering the United States. About three-fourths of these immigrants went through the Ellis Island immigration station with the majority being males between the ages of 24 and 45.
The island of Sicily and the region around Naples, both in the south, accounted for over half the Italians who moved to the U.S. looking for a better life.
According to manifest documents from the ships, so many Sicilians reported ‘Sciacca in Agrigento’ as their home village that immigration inspectors used “ditto” marks to record this information.
Many of these Italians settled in Little Italy neighborhoods all over the country, the most famous being in New York.
Discrimination between Italians in Little Italy was rampant.
Being fiercely provincial and proud of their own regions, the Italians from Naples, Calabria and Bari looked down on Sicilians, particularly those from Sciacca.
Given their humble beginnings, their descendants were taught to be proud of their Sicilian heritage.
Baseball legend Mike Piazza’s father’s family comes from Sciacca, and though he doesn’t speak Italian, the former Mets catcher is fiercely proud of his roots.
“I feel a strong tie to Sicily, since my heritage is there. My grandfather Rosario came from Sciacca, to the United States and my father grew me up following the Italian tradition. I think it’s in our DNA to strive to work hard and persevere,” Piazza said.
“One thing that was present in me was my father’s distinct love of his Italian heritage and Sicilian ancestry.
I can’t tell you how many times my father would say “Amuni a monjare, beddu”, and “mezza mortu”.
He would also take a strong stand against negative Italian American stereotypes saying that they “don’t represent the real Italians”.
Piazza also said he travels to Sciacca regularly. “It’s something I have great pride in knowing how proud my father and grandfather would be if they could see me here.”
Musician Jon Bon Jovi is another who is descended from emigrants from Siacca. In 2013, Bongiovi Sr. gladly shared his family’s pasta sauces – the recipes for which originated in Sciacca and were passed down through three generations.
Cartoon artist, director and producer Joseph Barbera, who formed Hanna-Barbera with William Hanna, is another who is descended from emigrants from Sciacca. Both his parents were born in Sciacca and he grew up speaking Italian.
Alicia Keys is another who has found out about her large extended Italian family. Her great-grandfather Michiele was from Sciacca.
Mike Marino, most famous for his hilarious segment about an Italian president from New Jersey, is another who is descended from emigrants from Sciacca.
As his grandfather once said: “YOU MAY LEAVE SICILY – BUT SICILY NEVER LEAVES YOU.”
Four Presidents, a Mountain and an Italian Chief Carver: the Long Forgotten History of Luigi del Bianco
by FRANCESCA BEZZONE
Wonderful article Ann! A few words jumped out at me as they were describing past Italian singers…they were good looking, had a certain sensibility, a certain attitude that was open and charming. They could have been referring to IL VOLO as they fit this description perfectly! 🙂 I have always loved Dean Martin singing That’s Amore. He had such a beautiful voice and always a twinkle in his eyes.
I thought the story behind Luigi del Bianco was fascinating. What a talented man. Thanks for sharing this wonderful post, Ann!
Frank and Dean were the best and they would have loved il Volo.
I never thought about that before. They sure would have loved our Boys!
Thank’s for the great post Ann. I’m sure Frank and Dean have seen many Il Volo concert’s!
They both had a great sense of humor, and probably got a kick out of our Guy’s when they act up. Especially Iggy’s Godfather routine!
Thank you for this wonderful & informative post, Ann!!! My first music memory is Caruso on a RCA windup Victrola! Loved all the Italian American singers!! I had no idea that Italians were the reason Mt Rushmore is such a marvelous work of Art!! Have family going to Italy the end of June to the Lenola area where my husband’s family is from.! Sadly I am unable to make this trip.
I really loved Perry Como too! They all would have loved Il Volo!!!
I grew up in Boston where 1/2 the city was Irish and the other 1/2 Italian. I watched the old men playing bocce ball ) and the wonderful aromas from the houses. JoanueG
My dad played bocce ball in Chicago and of course the aromas from the house on Sundays – the smell of my mom’s meatballs woke me up. lol Had to have one out of the frying pan with my coffee.
I can also relate to the Sunday dinner . It was always macaroni and meatballs ! My Dad played Bocce on a Friday night at the local neighborhood club. Today Bocce is very popular in our community. My husband and I play in a house league twice a week!
Ann, there must not have been 7 kids around your house. The meatballs were off-limits for us. But I can still smell them and that sauce that seemed to cook forever.
Wow Ann, there is so much in this post you could have made two posts out of it!
Thanks for the memories with those videos (remember wearing those dresses with the gazillion petticoats?!) and the info about Luigi del Bianco.
Penina, I remember the petticoat’s.
I would starch them, or put sugar in the water when rinsing them, and hang them to dry. The finished product woul produce a petticoat that could stand up on it’s own!🙂
That should be would
And how many times did you twirl around?
Good grief! I couldn’t even hula hoop!
I had a teacher who loved to go around the classroom and ask the girls how many petticoats they were wearing! The boys thought it was a riot.
Let’s not forget Vic Damone. The first record I ever bought for my mother was his Ave Maria. Then there was Bobby Rydell’s version of Volare.
For your mother, wherever she may be.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1EOsMrAr5Y&w=560&h=315%5D
My Dear dear, Marie, I can barely breathe right now. This is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me. I don’t think I ever mentioned this to my children. I bought my mom a “hi-fi” record player with my first paycheck and I can still picture it in her room and how happy she was to get it. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. See you in Detroit.
😊
Thanks for this interesting post. You ladies are doing so great posting some great things.
Thanks, Gina. You are responsible for many of them.
Thank you Ann for this very informative post. My grandfather, who died way before my mom married came from the Abruzzi area. He was a stonecutter . He settled the family in Stonington, Maine and worked in the quarry in an area called Deer Isle. Ironically, he also died from silicosis. On another note, my daughter uses Mambo Italiano as her cell phone ring!!
Sweet Annette! I love all these reminisces.
Marie: I guess as you get older you reminisce a lot!!
Anncriuse, thank you for this beautiful lesson in history. I’m ashamed to say that many things do not know but I’m glad I learned now. As I read I said to my husband, “but you knew that the sculptor of the faces of Presidents was an Italian?”
I am very happy to know that so many people descending from Italian has made a nice road but you have kept the fine traditions.
Daniela, that is one reason you are so close to many of our hearts. We are connected by more than just this website.
I keep looking at that photo of the Italians waiting at the church to go to America. One of them could have been my grandpa. He came over around that time. Yes… if I squint my eyes and want it very much, I can see him standing there! Ciao, Nonno!
What a sweet Marie, if I close my eyes I see him too.
Talking abut Italian Sunday dinner reminds me of my late father-in-law (who had a very sweet tooth).He always had to have gelato and pizelle for dessert, on a Sunday. The rest of the week was fruit or cheese, but Sunday was special..
Thank you Anne for the wonderful article.
Marion, I’m not Italian–what’s pizelle? I looked in my Italian dictionary but it isn’t there.
For you Penina.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7ey-VG7aWY&w=560&h=315%5D
Thanks, Marie, they look yummy and different. Not hard to do either, if you have the right equipment!
Sorry I did a typing error by leaving out a z. I hope I didn’t waste too much of your time
Not at all–there weren’t any entries in the dictionary with only one z after an i.
All of them were double zz. But it wasn’t there anyway!
In fact the pizzelle are tasted good with ice cream, thin and crispy. Good.
Daniela, that sound’s so good. Could you make some for Marie’s wedding reception?🙂
Naturally, I believe that the bride and groom will like very
You can roll up ice cream inside of one! Messy but probably very tasty!
WHO CARES WHAT’S ON THE INSIDE?!? LOOK WHAT’S SITTING BESIDE ME!!!!
You know…he probably does carry around pictures of me in his wallet. That way he can hand one to whichever security guard is on duty.
The original ice cream sandwich
Marie: My community hosted an Italian Night last week and my friend made enough pizzle for 150 people. I think I ate about a dozen!
So easy to do Annette !!
Marie, Do you mean he gives your picture to security so you won’t be allowed near him? Or is it so security will give you easy access to him?
I’ll bet it’s the second one!😊
See how nice I’m being to-day.
In answer to you question about twirling, I’m leaving that to Daniela. She is a professional twirler!
Me, I would have fallen flat on my face in the second twirl! And my petticoat would be standing straight up in the air for all to see!😊
I’m sure they are paid to watch for the American Psycho Stalker Woman.
However, you are being nice.
Very interesting! See you soon, Ann! 🙂
Jana
Hope to see you at a Fan Faire soon. Maybe in Chicago March 18? Our Boys will be here at Civic Opera House.
Thanks Ann for this great post and videos. It obviously has brought back many wonderful memories to Flight Crew members. The story about Luigi del Bianco was very interesting and thankfully he finally got some credit for helping to make Mt. Rushmore such an amazing sculpture. My husband and I have seen it and it is so impressive. In Newark, New Jersey there are other notable sculptures by Gutzon Borglum, one is of a Seated Lincoln next to the Essex County Courthouse and another very large one is Wars of America located in Military Park.