Al Alberts born 10 August 1922

Al Alberts (August 10, 1922 – November 27, 2009) was an American popular singer and composer.

Born Al Albertini in Chester, Pennsylvania, he went to South Philadelphia High School. As a teenager, he appeared on the Horn and Hardart Children's Hour, a radio program. Another performer who was on at the same time, Kitty Kallen, also became a major recording artist.

After graduating from South Philadelphia High, he went to Temple University and the United States Navy, where he met Dave Mahoney. They went on to found The Four Aces. The original members, responsible for every song made popular by the group, also included Lou Silvestri, and Rosario "Sod" Vaccaro.

The Four Aces vocal group from Chester, Pennsylvania consisted originally by Al Alberts, Dave Mahoney, Lou Silvestri, and Rosario "Sod" Vaccaro. 

The Four Aces recorded the song Three Coins in the Fountain, written by Jule Styne for the film of the same name. The song hit the #1 bestselling record twice in 1954. Alberts also popularized the song On the Way to Cape May, first through recording it, and then by performing it often on his later television show and specials.

 

The Four Aces biggest hit was "Love is a Many Splendored Thing", which was the theme to a 1955 blockbuster Hollywood movie starring William Holden and Jennifer Jones. The song was a number one hit for four weeks, and it also won the Academy Award for best song.

Over the last half-century, the group amassed many gold records. Its million-selling signature tunes include "Stranger in Paradise", "Tell Me Why", and "(It's No) Sin". Other big sellers included "Shangri-La", "Perfidia", and "Sincerely".

Al Alberts left the group in 1958 to pursue a solo career and was replaced by Freddie Diodatti, who fronted the foursome on their 1959 chart success 'The World Outside.' Dave and Sold left the group in the Sixties. The final member, Lou, left in 1976 to join the other members in a group, which was named The Original Four Aces, who continued to perform until 1987.

In 1960 Alberts recorded On The Way To Cape May, a song that has become a Jersey Shore sound summertime anthem for the Philadelphia/Delaware Valley and South Jersey Shore area.It was written by Maurice "Buddy" Nugent according to BMI and The Philadelphia Inquirer. The song became popular without the push of a major record label. It has become popular in a variety of 21st century media, such as XM satellite and internet radio, and also enjoys regular airplay on many Delaware Valley AM and FM stations.

Subsequently, Al became a television personality in Philadelphia where he hosted a one-hour Saturday afternoon talent show, called Al Alberts Showcase, that featured a panel of local children known as the "Teeny Boppers;" Also there was a group of young teenage dancers called the "Show Stoppers." Local talents of all ages would sing songs and perform dance routines. Al would sit with the Teeny Boppers and they would each tell him a joke. The show helped launch the careers of Andrea McArdle, and such acts/performers as Sister Sledge, The Kinleys, and Teddy Pendergrass.

The "Al Alberts Showcase" was Alberts way of giving back to his hometown by giving new talent a place to shine. His efforts were greatly appreciated by the general public, and almost everyone who grew up in the Philadelphia area for decades knew someone who had performed on the show. Not every performer became a big star, but Alberts made a difference in the lives of many young people. For many people, Alberts was like a member of their family. After 32 years, the show went off the air after Alberts' retirement in 1994. He  moved to Port Charlotte, Florida with his wife in December, 2000.

Alberts died at his home in Arcadia, Florida of complications from renal failure. The Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia  posthumously inducted Alberts into their Hall of Fame in 2010. (info mainly Wikipedia)