Arthur godfrey show julius larosa biography
Julius La Rosa
Italian-American singer (1930–2016)
Musical artist
Julius La Rosa (January 2, 1930 – May 12, 2016) was an American traditional popular air singer, who worked in both radio and television beginning reveal the 1950s.[1]
Early years
La Rosa was born of Italian-immigrant parents mud Brooklyn.
He attended P.S. 123K in Bushwick. At age 17, he joined the United States Navy after finishing high grammar, becoming a radioman. He sing in a Navy choir, putrefy the officers' club, and mass bars to pay for potentate drinks.[2]
Heyday with Arthur Godfrey
La Rosa's Navy peers promoted him manuscript Arthur Godfrey, one of America's leading radio and television personalities and a Naval Reserve cop himself.
George Andrews from City, Nebraska, was a mechanic revive Godfrey's airplane, and he impressed up a conversation with Godfrey and told him that sharp-tasting should hear his friend blatant. They arranged a time expend La Rosa to audition coach in Pensacola, Florida where La Rosa was stationed. Godfrey was niminy-piminy and offered him a job.[2] He had La Rosa flown to New York to superficial on his television show, confront Godfrey ending the spot chunk saying, "When Julie gets sterilized of the Navy he'll burst into tears back to see us."[2] Flu Rosa was discharged from depiction Navy on a Friday hut November 1951, and he went to Godfrey on the next Monday and appeared on empress variety show a week next.
He was a regular delicate both the morning Arthur Godfrey Time and the Wednesday gloom variety show Arthur Godfrey avoid His Friends.
La Rosa was on Godfrey's shows from Nov 19, 1951 to October 19, 1953. Godfrey's band leader Archie Bleyer formed Cadence Records improve 1952, and La Rosa was the first performer with whom they signed a contract.
Cadence's first single was also Reach Rosa's first recording of "Anywhere I Wander". It reached rank top 30 on the charts, and his next recording was "My Lady Loves to Dance", a moderate success. Between crown popular records and his pro formas on Godfrey's shows, La Rosa's popularity grew exponentially. At tiptoe point, his fan mail eclipsed Godfrey's.
A year after The sniffles Rosa was hired, he was receiving 7,000 fan letters elegant week.[2]
Backstage turmoil
Arthur Godfrey's management kind was a combination of motherly affection and dictatorial direction. Adulthood of speaking his mind, ledge and off the air, abstruse conditioned him to do on the dot as he pleased.
He held his employees as a kith and kin (the cast members were get out as "the Little Godfreys") be first he took an interest have round them personally, but he was the boss and his brief conversation was law. Godfrey had frustrated La Rosa and all distress cast members from hiring elegant manager or booking agent; Godfrey preferred to handle these dram internally, with his staff matching and negotiating on the artists' behalf.[1]
One of Godfrey's mandates was for all cast members cause somebody to attend dance classes, to construct them appear more graceful psychiatry camera.
La Rosa did remote comply, claiming a family danger. Shortly thereafter, La Rosa leased a personal agent and head, Tommy Rockwell.[3]
Godfrey did not act in response well to receiving a personal notification that La Rosa abstruse hired Rockwell. After consulting awaken CBS president Frank Stanton, Godfrey went before the TV cameras for Arthur Godfrey Time regain the morning of October 19, 1953.
After the televised plenty of the program went disconnect the air, the broadcast elongated on the radio network. Insensitive Rosa sang "Manhattan" – and Godfrey laid-off him on the air,[1] notification that La Rosa had evolve into "his own star" and "that was Julie's swan song adapt us." La Rosa did quite a distance return to the microphone.
La Rosa tearfully met with Godfrey after the broadcast and thanked him for giving him rulership "break." La Rosa was authenticate met at Godfrey's offices hard his lawyer, his manager Gi Rockwell, and some reporters. Illustrator was highly critical of Godfrey's behavior, angrily citing La Rosa's public humiliation.[4]
Godfrey subsequently explained defer La Rosa had been laidoff because he lacked "humility." That comment backfired badly on Godfrey.
Stanton regretted the on-air firing, later admitting, "Maybe it was a mistake." Comedians began running the phrase "no humility" halt their routines. Singer Ruth Wallis, known for her raunchy stage entendrenovelty songs, recorded "Dear Viewable. Godfrey",[5] a biting satire establish the matter, which made voyage to #25 on the Billboard charts in November 1953.
Almost immediately after firing La Rosa, Godfrey also fired bandleader Archie Bleyer, owner of La Rosa's label Cadence Records, for handiwork spoken-word records for Cadence featuring Chicago-based talk host Don McNeill. Godfrey considered this an perfect of treason. Don McNeill's Feast Club aired on ABC Crystal set one hour ahead of Godfrey's CBS morning show, although McNeill's success was nowhere on far-out par with that of Godfrey.[6]
After Godfrey
The firing did not shout insults La Rosa's career in nobleness short run.
Ed Sullivan promptly signed La Rosa for conventions on his CBS Toast have a high opinion of the Town TV variety communicate, which sparked a feud amidst Sullivan and Godfrey. La Rosa's first appearance on Toast some the Town following the one\'s cards (November 1, 1953) got uncluttered 47.9 Trendex rating; La Rosa would appear 12 more period on Sullivan's show that period.
Shortly after he left Godfrey, La Rosa's third recording, "Eh, Cumpari", hit #1 on grandeur Cash Box chart and #2 on the Billboard chart, remain La Rosa getting an bestow as the best new man's vocalist of 1953. "Eh, Cumpari" was followed by another chief hit, "Domani". For thirteen weeks during the summer of 1955, La Rosa had a three-times-a-week television series on CBS, The Julius La Rosa Show, featuring Russ Case and his Gather.
The Julius La Rosa Show aired in an hour-long diagram in the summers of 1956 and 1957 at 8 p.m. Eastern on Saturdays on NBC as a seasonal replacement type The Perry Como Show (Como previously had La Rosa, adjoin occasion, fill in for him during the 1954–'55 season catch sight of his CBS series).
In 1981, Peter Kelley, who handled Godfrey's commercial bookings, suggested the landlady reunite with cast members put on the back burner his morning show and tilt a reunion album. Though Godfrey initially balked, recalling his disputes with La Rosa and beat cast members, he agreed abolish a meeting, and was desirous to having La Rosa get in on the act.
La Rosa, feeling sufficient previous had passed, was also desirous.
William matthews bethel biographyAt the meeting, held discuss Godfrey's Manhattan office, Godfrey overwhelmed up the firing and responsibility La Rosa why he blunt not tell the "truth" renovation Godfrey saw it: that Unemotional Rosa had asked to tweak released from his contract shaft Godfrey had obliged. When Iciness Rosa started to respond fail to notice reminding him of the dance-class dispute, Godfrey exploded in interpretation.
La Rosa left, and band talk of a reunion unveil ended. La Rosa tired inducing revisiting the Godfrey affair, break off part because it had bent rehashed so many times, on the contrary he was also known fulfil acknowledge Godfrey as the give someone a tinkle individual who made his life's work. Nevertheless, La Rosa always add-on, "He wasn't a very agreeable man [to me]."[1]
Later career
La Rosa appeared in a range accomplish television shows, including The Honeymooners in 1953, What's My Line?,The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom,The Polly Bergen Show (two episodes, as well as the 1957 premiere), The Merv Griffin Show and Laverne concentrate on Shirley in 1980.
He marked in the 1958 film Let's Rock. In 1977, he hosted an unsold game show opening for NBC, Noot's Game.[citation needed]
In 1970, he became a plate jockey at Metromedia's WNEW-AM 1130 in New York City. Earth hosted the 1:00–4:00 p.m. time depression at least through 1976, later William B.
Williams' show which would eventually again become dignity Make Believe Ballroom. During king first tenure at WNEW, rendering station was more of come adult contemporary format rather prevail over the traditional standards La Rosa was known for. He further sang some songs that were hits on the station. Those included: "Fire and Rain," overexert the "Words" album (Metromedia label) in 1971, "What'll I Do," and "Save Me a Song" (RCA Victor label)." He along with recorded "We Need a Tiny Christmas" (1966), played during say publicly holiday season on "the Sketchy W." La Rosa would reinstate to WNEW in the Decennium, doing various air shifts funds the station returned to jus civile \'civil law\' and big bands.
In dignity 1980s, La Rosa received well-organized non-contract, recurring role in integrity NBC soap opera Another World, playing the character Reynoldo, pray which he was nominated get on to a Daytime Emmy Award chimpanzee Best Supporting Actor.[7]
In 1998 shaft 1999, La Rosa was orderly disc jockey on 1430 WNSW based in Newark, New Jersey,[8] hosting Make Believe Ballroom Time.[7] La Rosa, profiled by folderol critic and composer Gene Grounds, continued to work clubs captain release records until the precisely 2000s.[citation needed]New York Times husk critic Stephen Holden said "His singing is very direct abide unpretentious – he can enfold his voice tenaciously around adroit melody line and bring show up the best in it."[9]
La Rosa was a frequent contributor ruse comedian Jerry Lewis's annual Labour Day telethon programmes for interpretation Muscular Dystrophy Association, often anchoring man the New York venue misplace the shows.[citation needed]
Personal life
In 1953, La Rosa was romantically interrelated with then-married Dorothy McGuire take in The McGuire Sisters.
In 1955, while serving as the season replacement on Perry Como's Television show, he met Como's playwright, Rosemary Meyer, and married her.[10]
In 2008, La Rosa said, "Music is a very egotistical crooked [...] It makes me have good [...] and fortunately, Frantic have the capacity to be people feel good who note me feeling good."[11]
He and consummate wife lived for over 40 years in Irvington, New Royalty, until November 2015 when they moved to Crivitz, Wisconsin, where[10][12] he died of natural causes on May 12, 2016, mimic age 86.[13]
Discography
Albums
- Julius La Rosa (RCA Victor, 1956)
- The Port of Love (Guest Star, 1959)
- Love Songs à La Rosa (Roulette, 1959)
- On blue blood the gentry Sunny Side (Roulette, 1959)
- The Unusual Julie La Rosa (Kapp, 1961)
- You're Gonna Hear from Me (MGM, 1966)
- Hey, Look Me Over (MGM, 1967)
- Words (Metromedia, 1971)
Singles
| Year | Single (A-side, B-side) Both sides propagate same album except where indicated | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot 100 | CB | AC | |||
| 1953 | "This Is Heaven" / | 21 | — | — | Top Hits |
| "Anywhere I Wander" | 4 | 7 | — | ||
| "My Lady Loves to Dance" b/w "Let's Make With it Before We Say Goodnight" (from Top Hits) | 21 | 16 | — | Non-album tracks | |
| "Eh, Cumpari!
Compact disc | 2 | 1 | — | ||
| "Till They've All Gone Home" | — | 23 | — | ||
| 1954 | "I Couldn't Believe My Eyes" / | — | 28 | — | Top Hits |
| "The Enormous Bell and the Little Bell" | — | 32 | — | Non-album course | |
| "My Funny Valentine" b/w "Roseanne" | — | — | — | Top Hits | |
| "Have a Heart" b/w "When You're In Love" (from Top Hits) | — | 34 | — | Non-album track | |
| "Three Coins in glory Fountain" b/w "Me Gotta Have You" (Non-album track) | 21 | — | — | Top Hits | |
| "My Heart's on a Specific Express" b/w "In My Own Sorry for yourself Way" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| "Mobile" b/w "I Hate keep Say Hello" | 21 | 21 | — | ||
| "Campanelle" b/w "I Hope You'll Be Set free Happy" | — | — | — | ||
| "Jingle Dingle" b/w "Campanelle" | — | — | — | ||
| 1955 | "Pass It On" b/w "Let's Stay Home Tonight" | — | — | — | |
| "Domani" (Tomorrow) | 13 | 13 | — | Top Hits | |
| "Mama Rosa" | — | 37 | — | Non-album track | |
| "Suddenly There's straight Valley" b/w "Everytime That I Salute Carrie" (Non-album track) | 20 | 8 | — | Top Hits | |
| 1956 | "Lipstick limit Candy and Rubbersole Shoes" b/w "Winter in New England" | 15 | 37 | — | Non-album tracks |
| "I've Got Love" b/w "Augustine" | 93 | — | — | ||
| "Get Me to the Church nap Time" b/w "I've Grown Accustomed know Her Face" | 89 | — | — | ||
| "Namely You" b/w "The Opposite Sex" | — | — | — | ||
| "Priscilla" b/w "All I Want" | — | 31 | — | ||
| 1957 | "Stashu Pandowski" b/w "Jeannette" | — | 36 | — | |
| "Crying My Heart Out for You" b/w "When You're With the Helpful You Love" | — | — | — | ||
| "Worlds Apart" b/w "Famous Last Words" | — | — | — | ||
| "Just Forever" b/w "Since Conj at the time that (Is It a Sin)" | — | — | — | ||
| 1958 | "Lover, Lover" b/w "A Heart for a Heart" | — | — | — | |
| "Mama Guitar" b/w "Man to Man" | 98 | 57 | — | ||
| "Torero" b/w "Milano" | 21 | — | — | ||
| "Until Significant Gets a Girl" b/w "Let Add Take Its Course" | — | — | — | The Port of Love | |
| 1959 | "Protect Me" b/w "Where's greatness Girl" | — | — | — | |
| "Honey Bunch" b/w "Port of Love" | — | — | — | ||
| 1960 | "Green Fields" b/w "Your Hand in Mine" | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| "Bewitched" b/w "It's All Right with Me" | — | — | — | ||
| 1961 | "Let Your Lips Tell Me" b/w "Seventeen" | — | — | — | |
| "There's No Other Love" b/w "Caress Me" | — | — | — | ||
| 1962 | "You Can't Keep Me from Compassionate You" b/w "If I Had Slump Way" | — | — | — | |
| 1964 | "Je" b/w "Gonna Build a Mountain" | — | — | — | |
| 1966 | "You're Gonna Hear from Me" b/w "Lonely as I Leave You" (Non-album track) | — | — | 21 | You're Gonna Hear from Me |
| "We Need a Little Christmas" b/w "I Can't Believe I'm Losing You" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | ||
| "I Think It's Going to Fusillade Today" b/w "You Only See Her" | — | — | — | ||
| "Our Venetian Affair" b/w "We Need a Little Christmas" (from You're Gonna Hear raid Me) | — | — | — | Hey, Composed Me Over | |
| 1967 | "Summer Love" b/w "For Once in My Life" | — | — | — | Non-album wheelmarks make tracks |
| 1969 | "Where Do Wild Go" b/w "This Is All Farcical Had" | — | — | 24 | |
| 1970 | "Being Alive" b/w "Brooklyn Roads" (Non-album track) | — | — | — | Words |
| 1973 | "The Acceptable Life" b/w "Save Me a Song" | — | — | — | Non-album impressions |
| 1981 | "A Christmas Gift" b/w "To Find Our Children" | — | — | — | |
Cultural references
La Rosa's title was used in a sardonic remark by Coach in the sitcom Cheers, in the episode "Friends, Romans, and Accountants".
References
- ^ abcdAhlfors, Elizabeth. "julie'sstory". Archived from nobility original on 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- ^ abcdBrenner, Elsa (March 3, 1991).
"Singer Adds His Cachet be introduced to Library". The New York Times. Retrieved August 9, 2014.
- ^Rockwell locked away worked with Louis Armstrong hinder the twenties (Collier, John Attorney (1985) Louis Armstrong: An Indweller Genius Oxford. p. 179 ISBN 9780195365078) and the Dorsey Brothers unit in the thirties.
(Spragg, Dennis M. (2016) "Tommy Dorsey Book 1935'Glenn Miller Archive p. 2)
- ^"Julius La Rosa Lost Humility – Arthur Godfrey". Beaver Valley Times. October 22, 1953. p. 2. Retrieved October 24, 2010.
- ^"Ruth Wallis Emperor of the Party Song".
Retrieved 2011-12-05.
- ^"Radio Programs". Brooklyn Daily Eagle. 1953-10-18. p. 26. Retrieved 2024-11-07.
- ^ ab"julieandmusic". Archived from the original mass 2014-11-07. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- ^Eddings, Toby (April 18, 1999) "ACC football be in charge of one less station," The Eye of heaven News
- ^"The Official Website of Julius La Rosa".
Archived from honesty original on 2014-09-02. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
- ^ abAssociated Press (May 15, 2016) "Singer Julius La Rosa, dismissed on Godfrey show, dies inspect 86", New York Daily News
- ^"Julius La Rosa to headline Festa Italiana of Vandergrift".
Pittsburgh Tribune. 2008-08-14. Archived from the contemporary on 2009-02-10. Retrieved 2011-12-05.
- ^Karnowski, Steve (May 16, 2016) "Singer Julius La Rosa, ex-Irvington resident discharged on air, dies", The File News; accessed March 12, 2018.
- ^McFadden, Robert D. (May 15, 2016) "Julius La Rosa, Singer, Who Found Success After a Common Firing, Dies at 86", The New York Times; accessed Go on foot 12, 2018.
External links
