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Young Alfred Cini refused to let anything come between him and the music.
Constructing houses might have been his day job, but the nighttime was his time to shine. The South Philly native would sing his heart out at local hotspots, giving crowds something to savor. One of his frequent haunts was Fedullo’s, a former Navy hangout at Broad and Tasker streets. His daily routine might have been grueling, but it exemplified Cini’s character.
"I’d go home [from work], get dressed and go to the club," said the crooner originally from 15th and Tasker streets. "I’d get in at three and get up at five."
Cini’s South Philly experiences groomed him for stardom. After changing his last name and venturing across the globe, the rest of the world would soon discover Al Martino.
For more than a half century, he has pleased audiences with such favorites as "Here in My Heart," "Spanish Eyes" and "Volare." But there is more to Martino than just a chart-topping voice; there is his zest for life that has pushed him to take chances.
Martino’s newest venture returns him to his hometown, which is famous for spawning some incredible talent (just take a look at the mural at 1231 E. Passyunk Ave., which Martino is a part of). He will perform during A Very Geator Christmas at the Kimmel Center Dec. 22, which also includes performances by Johnny Maestro and the Brooklyn Bridge and Jimmy Beaumont and the Skyliners. Jerry "The Geator With the Heater" Blavat is master of ceremonies.
"This show is a combination of different types of music that reach every ear no matter what age," Blavat said. "When [Martino] sees the love he’s going to get back from the audience, he’s going to be taken aback."
It has been more than 25 years since Martino has graced a Philadelphia stage and he is excited about the experience. Performing will never get tiresome, said the 77-year-old from his Springfield, Delaware County, home last week.
"It just overcomes you. It obsesses you, like somebody who can’t stop smoking or can’t stop playing golf," said the former student of the now-defunct Childs Elementary School, 17th and Tasker streets.
DURING HIS TEENS, Martino had more interest in traveling than singing. He would frequently hitchhike to cities like Baltimore, Boston, New York and Jacksonville, Fla.
After reading up on the South, Martino took an adventurous leap and moved to Louisiana at age 15, which he described as taking a "Lewis and Clark expedition." Avoiding pricey bus fare, he thumbed rides.
Military life soon beckoned and Martino tried joining the Army and Marine Corps to no avail. The Navy finally agreed – only after he lied about his age.
It was with his outfit that he first learned the joy of song. Since one-third of his peers played guitar, music was rampant among the men, he said. Martino would chime in, putting his imprint on the day’s popular music and country songs.
Returning to Philly in 1945, Martino kept at his newfound love. He related to the crowd at Fedullo’s, a popular bar next to the once-bustling Navy Yard. At the suggestion of an attendee, Martino got up and entertained the crowd.
"Nobody heckled me and nobody threw anything at me, so I kept on going," he said.
He continued wowing local crowds until he had a life-altering experience in 1950. Mario Lanza was traveling through the South Philly streets perched on a convertible to promote his new movie "Midnight Kiss." Martino followed the parade to the former Savoia Theatre, 1709 S. Broad St., which was showing the film.
"I got in while he was speaking on stage," he said. "That’s when I made up my mind to leave for New York City."
Before renting an apartment in the Big Apple, Martino would – again – hitchhike out of Philadelphia. He made the rounds to the record companies, hoping to land a deal. The singer later found permanent shelter in New York, sharing a unit with five roommates, including singer Eddie Fisher and comedian Guy Marks, both South Philadelphians.
Martino soon appeared on Arthur Godfrey’s "Talent Scouts," singing "Here in My Heart." But Martino said the song gained popularity only after hand-delivering a copy to Barry Kaye, a disc jockey at WCAU on City Line Avenue in 1952. With some reluctance, Kaye agreed to play the unknown’s tune.
"Here I am on the radio playing this record and the switchboard lights up like a Christmas tree," Martino said. "He played the record every 15 minutes for six hours. It was the same thing the next night. That’s how my record became a hit."
On the move once again, Martino packed his 1952 Ford and headed west to Hollywood. The singer said he gave a copy of the record to every radio station he encountered along the way.
"Here in My Heart" went on to sell more than a million copies in its debut. He also hit legendary status in England, as Martino was the first American to have a number-one song on the British singles chart. It put him in the "Guinness Book of World Records."
After a seven-year stint perfecting his craft in England, Martino returned to New York. He hit the airwaves again with such hits as "I Love You Because," "Spanish Eyes" and "Mary in the Morning."
Looking for new challenges, he began pushing for the role of Johnny Fontane in Francis Ford Coppola’s 1972 classic "The Godfather." But Martino said he had to overcome two obstacles: Coppola, who wanted someone else to play the role, and Frank Sinatra, who fought the movie tooth and nail. Martino said his clout eventually secured the role. He reprised his character in 1990’s "The Godfather Part III."
Recently, Martino brushed off his acting chops, taking part in a young filmmaker’s short flick called "Cutout." He even sang two songs in the film.
"A young boy called me and said he’s making a film for the first time and thought I’d be good for the part," he said. "I immediately thought of [director Steven] Spielberg. When he did his first film, he was a young boy with no experience."
The ride is far from over for Martino. When he’s not touring, he enjoys free time with wife Judi. He has a house in Beverly Hills – Pat Boone is his neighbor – and visits his second home in Springfield at least once a month. His son Alfred lives in New York, while his daughter Alison resides in Beverly Hills.
And as long as his legions of fans continue clamoring for more, he will not give up the stage.
"Singing is my job," he said. "That’s what I enjoy."
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A Very Geator Christmas is Dec. 22 at the Kimmel Center at 8 p.m. To purchase tickets, call 215-893-1999 or visit www.kimmelcenter.org.
