by Cookie Curci

To his many followers, the Italian-American singer symbolizes romance, tradition and love. It has been said Italian crooners are as plentiful as the stars and as alike as pennies in a pond. I will grant that Italian singers are plentiful, but they are as unique from one another as they are many, with each one bringing something different of himself to his music.

The Italian-American singer has had a great impact on the 20th century' music world; through his songs, he sings to us of the magic of love and recalls for us the romances of our lives. I witnessed this feeling in my grandmother's eyes each time she placed those old, 78 rpm, recordings of Caruso on her Victrola; I felt it in the secret glow that passed between Mom and Dad whenever they played one of Sinatra's 45 rpm records, and I experienced it in the 1950s and '60s, in a more personal way, when I listened soulfully to the beautful voice of Mario Lanza on a 33 1/3 long play record.

And now, in the 21st century, we move ahead with the new style of Italian singers who still make the ladies swoon, but deliver a song with a voice that equals all  who came before him. Whether we listen to his music on 8 track, cassette, or CD player, the feelings  they evoke are still the same. The Italian singer touches a place in the hearts of every generation; a place reserved for our private moments, secret wishes and unfulfilled dreams.

The Italian crooner has created a musical legacy that endures through the decades and continues now into the 21st century. His contributions are many and continue to give enjoyment to music lovers everywhere and his voice is a source of pride to all Italian-Americans.

"Music, said Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, is the universal language of mankind"--If this is true, then the song sung by the Italian-American crooner is the universal language of love.

Part 1: Colombo, Sinatra and Martin
Part 2: Perry Como & Mario Lanza
Part 3: Martino, Bennett & Vale
Part 4: Other Popular Italian-American Singers