ABSTRACT
American popular singer, born Frank Paul Lo Vecchio in Chicago. He sang in church, then at age 15 in clubs, then went on to radio. He developed a crooning, jazzy style said to be modeled on Louis Armstrong’s singing. In 1946 he went to Hollywood, and contracted to record for Mercury. He scored a great success in 1947 with “That’s My Desire” (Mercury 5007), followed by another, “Mule Train” (Mercury 5345; 1949). In the 1950s and 1960s he put 21 singles on the charts, including “I Believe” (Columbia 39938; 1953), and “Moonlight Gambler” (Columbia 40780; 1956). His most popular album was I’ll Take Care of Your Cares (ABC 604; 1967), 19 weeks on the charts. Laine enjoyed a minor comeback in 1966, and has since performed and recorded sporadically, despite two major heart surgeries. He sang the theme song for Mel Brooks’s western spoof Blazing Saddles in 1974. HE has continued to record and perform into his 80s; in 1996, he was elected into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame. His 1946-1950 Mercury recordings are collected on Mercury 510435, and his “16 most requested” hits from his later Columbia days are gathered on Columbia Legacy 45029. Bear Family has numerous album reissues on CD, as well as their usual complete boxed sets for the truly dedicated fan; radio transcriptions and other material are available on various labels.
