Vic Damone was born Vito Farinola in Brooklyn, New York on June 12, 1928. When his father was disabled on the job, he quit high school to help support the family. He became an usher at the Paramount Theater in Manhattan. His singing career began when he won the radio show Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts in 1947. He sang for over 54 years and recorded around 2,500 songs including Again, On the Street Where You Live, You're Breaking My Heart, I Have but One Heart, and Gigi. He had his own radio and television programs and appeared in several movies including Hit the Deck. He retired from singing in 2001 after a farewell tour. His autobiography, Singing Was the Easy Part written with David Chanoff, was published in 2009. He died from complications of respiratory failure on February 11, 2018 at the age of 89.
030