ABSTRACT
Italian accordionist, born in Turin; brother of Pietro Deiro. For most of his recording career he was a Columbia artist, beginning with “Sharpshooter’s March” and “Ciribiribin” in May 1911. He made Columbias until 1924, and remained in the catalog into the 1930s. One of the most prolific and popular artists on the accordion, Deiro also made Edison cylinders, beginning with “My Sweetheart Waltz” (#743; August 1911), and continuing with operatic excerpts and ragtime. He was heard on Cameo discs as Carlo Pampini. Deiro claimed to have coined the term “piano accordion.” His other accomplishments include composing the song “Kismet” (1911), a major hit on Broadway that was twice revived in Hollywood films; marrying sex goddess Mae West in 1914; and appearing in an early Vitaphone sound short in 1928. He died in California.
