Lou Monte

	At the Darktown Strutters Ball
	Italian Hucklebuck
	Somewhere There Is Someone

Born April 4, 1917 in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, Monte was known as "The King of Italian-American Hit Records." As a kid, Monte would entertain the neighborhood with his guitar playing and singing. Prior to serving his country in World War II, he attracted a following playing local clubs. Following the war, a local radio station gave him his own radio show which later evolved into a companion TV show.

However, Monte's career was derailed temporarily when he was seriously injured in an automobile accident. After many months of painful recovery, Lou recovered and began recording for RCA in 1953. One such recording was "Roman Guitar". The song showcases Monte's tremendous vocal performances.

Later, RCA would ask Monte to record novelty records. There are few songs that evoke classic Italian imagery like "Lazy Mary". From the first bar, you can envision walking through Little Italy during a street festival with the smell of sausage and peppers lingering. The single spent 11 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 chart in 1958.

Monte passed away on June 12, 1989, leaving behind some of the most enjoyable sides ever recorded. During his lifetime, Monte recorded 13 albums which have sold a combined total of well over two hundred thousand records. "Pepino, The Italian Mouse" was a Billboard Top Pop Album in 1963.