Andy Russell (September
16, 1919 – April 16, 1992) was an American popular vocalist, specializing in
traditional pop and Latin music. He sold 8 million records in the 1940s to
early 1950s singing in a romantic, baritone voice in his trademark bilingual
English and Spanish style.
Born Andres Rabago, he was
the son of Mexican-Spanish parents. Russell was a popular singer in the USA
during the 40s, with a romantic image and a penchant for Latin American
numbers. He took his professional name from one of his idols, Russ Columbo. In the early 40s he worked
with several bands, including Sonny Dunham, Gus Arnheim and Johnny Richards,
sometimes also playing drums.
In 1942, he was one of
seven vocalists with Alvino Rey’s big band, but was unable to record with the
outfit because of union leader James Caesar Petrillo’s infamous musicians
recording ban. His own hits, for Capitol Records, began in 1944 with ‘Besame
Mucho’ and ‘Amor’, and continued through until 1948, with romantic ballads such
as ‘What A Diff’rence A Day Made’, ‘I Dream Of You’, ‘I Can’t Begin To Tell
You’, ‘Laughing On The Outside (Crying On The Inside)’, ‘They Say It’s
Wonderful’, ‘Pretending’ and ‘Anniversary Song’. He also recorded Billy Reid’s
‘I’ll Close My Eyes’ and Bud Flanagan’s ‘Underneath The Arches’, on which he
was accompanied by Tommy Dorsey’s old vocal group, the Pied Pipers.
Russell & Joan Davis 1945 |
Russell was very popular on US radio during the mid-late 40s on the Old Gold Show and Lucky Strike Hit Parade. He also appeared at many top venues, including the Paramount Theatre in New York. In 1947 he was in Los Angeles, deputizing for Frank Sinatra who,
Andy with Carmen Miranda
1947
|
with Bing Crosby, had declined to sing one of the nominated songs in the annual Academy Awards Ceremony. In the early 1950's, Russell appeared on early television with "Your Show Of Shows" with Sid Caesar for NBC, but recorded less frequently. By the early 50's, however, his hits had stopped and Capitol Records began to lose interest in him. Realizing that he commanded more popularity in Mexico than the U.S. he began performing there more frequently.
In the late 1950s, he
re-located to Mexico City, and then to Argentina where he had a successful
variety show that ran for seven years. He remained a U.S. citizen, however, and
still made appearances in the U.S. from time to time. Capitol's Latin American
affiliated labels released new material by Andy in the 1960s, after his stint
with RCA Victor. He also recorded for Orfeon.
Andy returned to the
United States in the late 60s and released two more albums for the parent
Capitol label, one of which featured a Billboard Easy Listening Chart hit in
1968. It was a "cover" of label-mate Wynn Stewart's Country hit, It's
Such a Pretty World Today, and served as the title song for the LP. Andy also
appeared on public television fundraising specials well into the 1980s.
Andy was especially proud
of receiving an award from "Nosotros" magazine, acknowledging his
special achievements as the first bilingual singer to reach the top of the
charts with an Anglo audience and to popularize Latin American songs. He surely
paved the way for many other Latino singers, including Vikki Carr and even
Ricky Martin!
After suffering a
paralyzing stroke in February 1992 followed by another stroke on April 12,
1992, Russell died from complications at St. Joseph's Hospital in Sun City,
Phoenix, Arizona on April 16, 1992 at the age of 72. (Info edited mainly from
AMG & Last.fm)
1 comment:
For Spotlight on Andy Russell - go here:
http://www75.zippyshare.com/v/Nhqx18iA/file.html
1. Too Marvelous for Words
2. Pretending
3. The Very Thought of You
4. I Cried for You
5. Besame Mucho
6. Imagination
7. They Say It's Wonderful
8. Don't Blame Me
9. Easter Parade
10. Amor
11. Let's Fall in Love
12. Laughing on the Outside (Crying on the Inside)
13. I'll See You in My Dreams
14. What a Diff'rence a Day Made
15. Yours
16. Anniversary Song
17. Always - (previously unreleased)
18. Goodnight My Love
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