Johnny Dorelli

Giorgio Guidi (born 20 February 1937), known professionally as Johnny Dorelli, is an Italian actor, singer and television host.

Early life

Giorgio Guidi was born in Meda, at the time in the Province of Milan, Lombardy, Italy. In 1946, he moved with his family to New York City, where his father, Aurelio Guidi, found work as an opera singer under the stage name Nino D'Aurelio. He studied double bass and piano at the High School of Music and Art in New York. His stage name Dorelli was chosen in imitation of how D'Aurelio was pronounced in English.

Career

Dorelli's show business career began when he was discovered by bandleader Percy Faith, who brought him on The Ken Murray Show. He later appeared on the show By Popular Demand conducted by Robert Alda, accompanied by Paul Whiteman. He received great acclaim, with some American newspapers describing Dorelli as a "phenomenal Italian boy". However he returned to Italy in 1955 due to the expiry of his residence permit.

He debuted as singer and pianist in the late 1950s for CGD label with cover of American standards; "Lover", "What Is This Thing Called Love?", "Love Me or Leave Me" and many others.

His first success was an easy listening Latin song, "Calypso Melody", in 1957. He won the Sanremo Music Festival 1958 and 1959 in duo with Domenico Modugno, with the songs "Nel blu, dipinto di blu" (also known as "Volare") and "Piove (Ciao, ciao bambina)". His most famous songs of the period are : "Julia" (1958), "Boccuccia di rosa" ("Pink Lips", 1958), "Love in Portofino" (1959), "Lettera a Pinocchio" (1959), "Monte Carlo" (1961).

In 1962 Dorelli appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show and sang his smooth ballad "Love in Portofino" and "You're the Top" with Connie Francis and Johnny Hallyday.