Al Martino
A smooth-voiced crooner who conquered the charts with 'Here in My Heart' and found cinematic immortality as Johnny Fontane in 'The Godfather.'
1927–2009 (age 82)·American singer·Birthday: October 7·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Al Martino's story reads like one of the showbiz tales he would later depict on screen. Born Jasper Cini in Philadelphia, he found early, explosive fame in 1952 when 'Here in My Heart' became the first ever No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart and a smash in America. His warm, Italianate baritone made him a staple of pop and easy-listening radio for two decades, with hits like 'Spanish Eyes' and 'I Love You Because.' But his legacy was cemented by a piece of art-imitating-life casting. In 1972, Francis Ford Coppola chose Martino to play Johnny Fontane, the fictional singer whose career is bolstered by his mafia connections. Martino brought a wounded, knowing authenticity to the role, drawing from the industry's rough edges he'd witnessed. This second act introduced him to a new generation, forever intertwining his voice with the epic saga of the Corleone family.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Al was born in 1927, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Al Was Born
The biggest hits of 1927
#1 Movie
Wings
Al's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1927Born
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1932Started school
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1940Became a teenager
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1943Could drive
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1945Could vote
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1948Turned 21
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1957Turned 30
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 40
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 50
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 60
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 70
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2007Turned 80
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Died at 82
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
Key Achievements
- Scored the first-ever No. 1 single on the UK Singles Chart in 1952 with his debut song 'Here in My Heart.'
- Played the pivotal role of singer Johnny Fontane in Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather' (1972).
- Had a major international hit with 'Spanish Eyes,' which became a standard in his repertoire and globally recognized.
- Maintained a successful chart career across three decades, with multiple gold records and Top 40 hits.
Did You Know?
He briefly left the United States for the UK in the early 1950s due to reported pressure from organized crime figures in the music business.
His birth name was Jasper Cini, and he changed it to Al Martino, taking the surname from the last name of a favorite singer, Al Jolson.
He served in the United States Navy during World War II and saw combat at Iwo Jima.
He was offered the role of Johnny Fontane only after Frank Sinatra, who was reportedly offended by the character's parallels to his own life, declined.
“I sang from my heart, and maybe that's why people still remember.”
