Vocalist. A popular singer, he enjoyed a successful recording career in the United States and Europe from the early 1950s into the mid-1970s. He is best known for the top twenty hits "I Love You Because" (1963), "I Love You More and More Every Day" (1964) and "Spanish Eyes" (1965). He is remembered by movie audiences for his role of 'Johnny Fontane' in the 1972 picture "The Godfather" and contributed to the film's soundtrack. He was born Jasper Cini in Philadelphia to Italian immigrants. The name Jasper was an attempt at the anglicizing of his father's Italian name, Gasparino. His mother was Carmela Grelli and her father was Martino Grelli. Prior to beginning his career in the entertainment industry during the 1940's, he worked in his family's masonry business and served in the United States Marines during World War II. He was wounded while participating in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Upon returning home, it would be his childhood friend Mario Lanza who encouraged him to become a singer. He began to use his maternal grandfather's first name Martino as a stage name. In 1952, he came to prominence with his hit "Here in My Heart" and became the first artist to have a number one record on the pop charts in the United Kingdom. The song remained at that position for nine weeks. This would lead to a contract with Capitol Records. During the 1960s and 1970s, he frequented such American television programs as "The Ed Sullivan Show", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Mike Douglas Show", and established a wide fan base from touring, most notably in Germany. Among his other memorable recordings include "Painted, Tainted Rose" (1963), "Tears and Roses" (1964), "Mary in the Morning" (1967) and "Volare" (1975).
He married Judith Kay Stilwell, daughter of Dale Ferguson Stilwell and Verna Leona Riggle, December 10, 1968.
He married Judith Kay Stilwell, daughter of Dale Ferguson Stilwell and Verna Leona Riggle, December 10, 1968.
Vocalist. A popular singer, he enjoyed a successful recording career in the United States and Europe from the early 1950s into the mid-1970s. He is best known for the top twenty hits "I Love You Because" (1963), "I Love You More and More Every Day" (1964) and "Spanish Eyes" (1965). He is remembered by movie audiences for his role of 'Johnny Fontane' in the 1972 picture "The Godfather" and contributed to the film's soundtrack. He was born Jasper Cini in Philadelphia to Italian immigrants. The name Jasper was an attempt at the anglicizing of his father's Italian name, Gasparino. His mother was Carmela Grelli and her father was Martino Grelli. Prior to beginning his career in the entertainment industry during the 1940's, he worked in his family's masonry business and served in the United States Marines during World War II. He was wounded while participating in the Battle of Iwo Jima. Upon returning home, it would be his childhood friend Mario Lanza who encouraged him to become a singer. He began to use his maternal grandfather's first name Martino as a stage name. In 1952, he came to prominence with his hit "Here in My Heart" and became the first artist to have a number one record on the pop charts in the United Kingdom. The song remained at that position for nine weeks. This would lead to a contract with Capitol Records. During the 1960s and 1970s, he frequented such American television programs as "The Ed Sullivan Show", "The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson" and "The Mike Douglas Show", and established a wide fan base from touring, most notably in Germany. Among his other memorable recordings include "Painted, Tainted Rose" (1963), "Tears and Roses" (1964), "Mary in the Morning" (1967) and "Volare" (1975).
He married Judith Kay Stilwell, daughter of Dale Ferguson Stilwell and Verna Leona Riggle, December 10, 1968.
He married Judith Kay Stilwell, daughter of Dale Ferguson Stilwell and Verna Leona Riggle, December 10, 1968.
Bio by: C.S.
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