Hey pallies, it's a leap year and that means that we have an extra day of Dino-amore month to linger a bit longer in this special season of hugely heartfelt homage of our King of Cool. So, likes we wanna close out this sweetest of sweet season with a supremely special selection of remarkable remembrance from yet 'nother who was powerfully privileged to meet our most beloved Dino in the flesh.!
A few 'go as we were doin' our almost daily google blog Dino-search, we were Dino-directed to a blog tagged News Blaze where a lady tagged Miss Cookie Curci superbly scribed her remarkable remembrance of bein' in the presence of our most beloved Dino, "When Dino Sang, That Was Amore." Miss Curci's bio tell us that she "is an experienced syndicated writer, born and raised in San Jose, California."
We certainly don't want to retell Cookie's story for her, but we will say that the year was 1958 and the family was on their annual vacation to LA. Likes we never ever tire of hearin' other lovers of our Dino who were blissfully blessed to find themselves in his presence, and Miss Curci's story is truly touchin' and tender and will beautifully bless Dino-philes everwhere! We solemnly salute Miss Cookie Curci and tremendously thank her for sharin' her and her fam's extraordinary encounter with our Dino. We thanks all the pallies at "News Blaze" for gettin' this up on the ol' web. Awesomely Dino-awed, DMP
When Dino Sang, That Was Amore
By Cookie Curci
'When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that's amore. When the world seems to shine like you've had too much wine, you're in love.'
Dean Martin's voice echoes from the scratchy 45rpm record on my turntable, filling the room with nostalgia. His hit song "That's Amore" - or, as we used to call it, "the pizza song" - brings back memories of the early 1950s.
Back in those less complicated days, a promise from Mom and Dad to take us to a Martin-Lewis film Friday night at the Garden Theatre was enough to keep us on our best behavior all week.
Dean Martin's charisma appealed to all types and ages. The ladies were attracted to his dark good looks and romantic singing voice. Youngsters adored his silly shenanigans with partner Jerry Lewis. But it was Martin's bon vivant lifestyle that earned the envy of every man. The handsome, sleepy-eyed singer was second in command in Frank Sinatra's famed leisure club, the Rat Pack.
When the clan held its celebrated summit meetings Dino was the straight man to the Chairman of the Board. Martin's longtime association with his renowned cronies appealed to fans worldwide and served to enhance Dino's legendary devil-may-care image. Despite Martin's public facade, he was quite the family man privately and the proud father of eight.
To the children of Italian immigrants, like my own mom and dad, Martin's success was especially meaningful. Martin was born Dino Paul Crocetti and grew up in a multicultural part of town in Steubinville, Ohio, during the Depression. His youth paralleled the lives of many second-generation Italians. And so it was only natural that they would especially relish his good fortune and fame.
On our annual family vacations to Los Angeles, the first thing we did upon arrival was drive past Dean Martin's two-story rambling estate in Beverly Hills, always with hopes of catching a glimpse of the superstar.
I'll never forget the year, 1958, that we passed by Martin's home and Dad decided to drive into Martin's driveway for a closer look. Peering through the gates we were surprised to see, amid the plush landscape, a small, well-tended vegetable garden. Tomatoes, fava beans and long green Italian peppers filled a small portion of the star's back yard. We were all so enthralled by the discovery of Dino's Italian vegetable garden that we almost didn't notice the dazzling red T-Bird that had pulled up behind us.
A moment later we were elated to discover the driver was none other than Dean Martin himself!
He had paused to collect his mail and was waiting patiently for us to move our car so he could get into his driveway.
Martin's attractive wife, Jeanie, and young son, Dino Paul, came out to greet him at the gate, adding to our thrilling moment. Noticing our excitement, Martin generously walked over to our car, signed autographs for Mom and me, shook hands with Dad and exchanged a few words in Italian. I couldn't help but notice the star's large, awkward hands as he signed my autograph book, reminding me of his early years of prizefighting as a welterweight in his hometown.
That year we drove home on cloud nine, reliving the excitement over and over again.
I was so saddened on that Christmas Day to hear the news of Dean Martin's passing. I felt as if a distant friend had left me. The songs of Dean Martin will always rekindle happy memories in our lives, and for that his fans will always be grateful.
Well well well...here we is, pallies o' mine. Windin' down 'nother AWESOMELY ROMANTICO Dino-Amore Month! Oh, what times we had, huh pals?! Now friends...dont get upset! There's actually some Coolness to share! This is Leap year! Which means we gets a BONUS day of this BEA U TI FUL month! Yes! An extra day to spread the Dino-message...& throw some L.O.V.E. 'round! How cool is that?! And besides, pals...IT'S ONLY 22 DAYS TIL' SPRING!!! Yea hoo!!!
OK, mi amici...let's get to some SWOONIN' CROONIN'! Now, pallies...this needs to be a special jam. A jam that REALLY expresses the feelins' we may be feelin' for a VERY special someone...the emotion that may just bubble over when we 'round this certain friend.
I thinks Dean summed ALL this sentiment up into one VERY romantic tune. May I share it with youse? Yes? Cool!
What's crazy 'bout these lyrics, pallies... is that they don't even include the word LOVE! Yet, pals...it's gots to be one of the MOSTEST expressive love songs of ALL time. Youse'll see what I'm talkin' 'bout, friends.
"I've Grown Accustomed to Her Face" is perfect to sign off our Dino-Amore Month Serenades & perfect to keep the Dino-fueled passion BURNIN' 'til next year! Only one problemo, pals. There are SO SO many COOL COOL vids for this Dino-croon...I cants decide which to use! Well...guess that leaves me with only one SANE choice, pallies! Play two! Of course! I've done it before...& I'll do it 'gain! Ha! Dino REALLY brings out that WILD side of me, huh pals?! Haha!!
OK. 'Nuff foolin'. Let's get swoonin'!
Enjoy the tune, mi amici & I'll see youse in March! Ciao!
I've grown accustomed to her face
She almost makes the day begin
I've grown accustomed tot he tune
She whistles night and noon
Her smiles, her frowns, her ups and downs
Are second to nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I was serenely independent and content before we met
Surely I could always be that way again and yet
I've grown accustomed to her looks
Accustomed to her voice, accustomed to her face
She's second nature to me now
Like breathing out and breathing in
I'm very grateful she's a woman and so easy to forget
Rather like a habit one can always break and yet
I've grown accustomed to the trace of something in the air
Accustomed to her face
Hey pallies, likes whata coulda be better then a Dino-double header from our pallie of pallies Scotty over at his boun-t-fully beau-ti-ful blog "BlueisKewl?" Nothin' we dare say!!!!! Likes just a few moments 'go we posted the neatest of neat news that our deeply-devoted-to-Dino pallie Scotty had made the google 'lert Dino-search list for the first time that we knows of, and now while checkin' our any possible new Dino-postin' from Scotty at his blog, we came 'cross this perfectly powerfully potent post from our Dino-bro of our most beloved Dino captured by LIFE mag as the 'Olympic Diver."
Likes we have shared this perfect pose once before here at ilovedinomartin, and if memory serves us correctly it got more hits when it first appeared then any other Dino-postin' Let's hope that Scotty's Sharin' gets even more dudes! We are deeply touched that as you will read below, our bestest of best pallie has chosen to dedicate this particular post to our Danny G. and we. Thanks ever so much Scotty for your finest of fine friendship in Dino as well dude!
We specially salute our ever-growin-in-Dino pallie Scotty on this delightful Dino-find and wishes him our best in all of his efforts, 'specially those in the cause of our Dino. What the world needs is more more kind and generous pallies likes Scotty who makes our efforts here at ilovedinomartin so so worthwhile. To checks this Dino-treasure out at Scotty's site, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-gram. Doubly Dino-delighted, DMP
Dean Martin the 'Olympic Diver' a Photo Shoot for 'Life' Magazine 1958
By Larry Barbier Jr.
(I have to dedicate this DM posting to two very good friends of mine, DMP and Danny G. I greatly appreciate there support and friendship, the very best to you both!)
Dean Paul Martin (born Dino Paul Crocetti; June 7, 1917 – December 25, 1995) was an American singer, actor, comedian, and film producer.
One of the most popular and enduring American entertainers of the mid-20th century, Martin was nicknamed the "King of Cool" for his seemingly effortless charisma and self-assurance. He and Jerry Lewis were partners in the immensely popular comedy team "Martin and Lewis". He was a member of the "Rat Pack" and a star in concert stage/nightclubs, recordings, motion pictures, and television. He was the host of the television variety program The Dean Martin Show (1965–1974) and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast (1974–1985).
Martin's relaxed, warbling crooning voice earned him dozens of hit singles including his signature songs "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare", and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?".
Martin, a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in September 1993, and in early 1995 retired from public life. He died of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema at his Beverly Hills home on December 25, 1995, Christmas Day at age 78. The lights of the Las Vegas Strip were dimmed in his honor. Martin is interred at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. His crypt features the epitaph "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime", the name of his signature song.
Hey pallies, likes are we powerfully pumped or what dudes?!?!?!?! Yester-Dino-day as we were doin' our almost daily 25 pages of Dino-searchin' usin' the great google blog search engine, low and behold in the midst of our energetic efforts, a listin' from our most Dino-devoted pallie Scotty's beau-ti-ful blog popped up 'mong the Dino-blog listin's!!!!!
Likes, likes this is the first time in our memory that one of our Scotty's "BlueisKewl" Dino-devotions has made the scene with google Dino-blog searchin' and we are most proudly pumped that our Dino-bro has awesomely achieved this Dino-recognition that he deeply deeply deserves for him ever-growin' exemplary efforts in liftin' up the name of our Dino and helpin' more and more folks into the Dino-fold! We are coolly certain that this is just the beau-ti-ful beginnin' of many many listin's that will appear on the google Dino-blog search engine!
And, likes we finds it so so cool that one of our personal fav Dino-postin's from Scotty's "BlueisKewl" if the one to make it to the illustrious list!!!!! It's the one where Scotty shares that most powerfully provocative candid of our most beloved Dino and Miss Corrine Calvet on the set of "My Friend Irma".....the unequivocally evocative pose of our Dino restin' in Miss Calvet's lap with her hands gently laid on our Dino's chest. Likes, we thinks it is the most perfect of perfect post to bring our Dino-hearted pallie to the attention of Dino-holics every-Dino-where!
ilovedinomartin solemnly and swankly salute our pallies of pallies Scotty-o on this remarkable recognition of his awesome adulation of our one and only Dino. Likes below is the listin' from google blogs, and if you clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram, you will be transported to "BlueisKewl" to see it in it's original postin'. We are totally totally thrilled that it is still in this month of Dino-amore that our Scotty has awesomely acheived this huge huge Dino-honor! Deeply deeply Dino-delightedly, DMP
Dec 14, 2015 - Dean Martin and Corinne Calvet on the set of the Movie 'My Friend Irma Goes West' 1950. My Friend Irma Goes West is a 1950 film based on the radio show My Friend Irma and featuring the comedy team of Martin and Lewis ...
Hey pallies, likes it's the twenty-fifth day of Dino-amore month and we share more Dino-lovin' from the pallies at "A Tribute To Joey Heatherton." Likes after sharin' that deeply delightful duets of children's croons featurin' our most beloved Dino and Miss Joey Heatherton on trikes, we decided to see if these folks that dig Joey have posted any more vids that featured our Dino, and low and behold we found the vid below that included five---count 'em---five introductions from the Dino-show that our main man did to introduce Miss Joey each time she appeared on the Dean Martin Variety Hour.
As, you view, you will note that our Dino shows his coolest of cool charisma in ubber unique ways each and everytime he sets Miss Heatherton up to perform. Interestin'ly 'nough the first time that Miss Joey performed on the Dino-show was for the first performance, Likes how honored she musta felt to be 'mong our Dino's firsest of first guests! We coulda goes on and on, but the best part is to simply soak in the Dino-delight of these five incredible introductions of Miss Joey Heatherton.
We thanks the pallies at "A Tribute To Joey Heatherton" for their energetic efforts in not only lovin' on Miss Joey, but showin' truly touchin' and tender amorin' devotion to our Dino as well! Likes if you clicks on the tag of this Dino-gram you will be transported to their superb site. Always amorin' Dino, DMP
Hey pallies, likes every so often fabulous folks stop by our humble little ilovedinomartin Dino-blog and through patter puts us on to some swankly sensational Dino-treat that we woulda probably never ever sees otherwise, showin' us such kindred kindness and helpin' us spread more and more Dino-amore with Dino-holics everywhere.
Likes on this twenty-fourth day of Dino-amore month, we shares with youse courtesy of the beau-ti-ful Joey Heatherton trib site, "A Tribute To Joey Heatherton," the great youtube vid clip below of our most beloved Dino and Miss Heatherton doin' a duet of mostly kiddy songs while the two sit on tricycles. Truly truly our Dino and Miss Joey have the bestest of time doin' swingin' renditions of childhood favs.
Now, how did the folks at "A Tribute To Joey Heatherton" know to send this this heartfelt Dino-treat? Well, likes they discovered a January 31, 2013 post here at ilovedinomartin that shared a pix of our Dino and Miss Heatherton on the trikes used in the vid clip that first appeared at our pallie Jesse's bodacious blog "Just A Car Guy." Youse can view that post by CLICKIN' HERE.
Today's Dino-gram is awesomely appro in this month of Dino-amore 'cause first of all our pallie Jesse, out of his love for our Dino posted the perfect pose of Dino and Miss Joey on his blog which got our Dino-attention, and as a result of that pose, the folks at "A Tribute To Joey Heatherton" pattered us on Jesse's post and showed us such Dino-amore and to lets us know that the original clip had been posted by them on youtube....just so so much lovin' of our Dino bein' shown in this single Dino-post!!!!!!
We sez our thanks to our pallie of pallies Jesse, and our new pallies at "A Tribute To Joey Heatherton" for all their Dino-devotion. To checks out the trib site for Miss Joey, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report. Dino-delightedly, DMP
Hey pallies, likes welcome back for day twenty-three of Dino-amore action here at ilovedinomartin. Likes over the course of the past week or so we have offered a plethora of pleasin' posts from the potent pen of Brit Deanager Graham, really bringin' Dino-amore month alive here at our humble little Dino-home. With each post we have included youtube vid clips of magic moments from our most beloved Dino's 1983 London Concert at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Likes, we thought it woulda be completely cool if likes somehow we coulda shares the whole concert with youse. So, we went over to youtube and typed in Dean Martin London and found parts 2 through 6 of "Dean Martin live in London posted by Mr. Rodrigo Iriarte, but for some reason no part 1. Doin' a bit more searchin' we located "Dean Martin - Medley #1 (Live in London) by Miss dinoforever, and so, we thinks that below we pretty much have the whole concert for your Dino-amorin' pleasure.
One more time we wanna express our deepest of deep appreciato to our pallie Graham for sharin' so so much of his Dino-hearted self with us, likes bringin' each of us Dino-holics so so much pure pleasure and makin' Dino-devotees everywhere yearn more and more to show our awesome amore for our one and only Dino! Enjoys this special Dino-treat dudes and keeps growin' in knowin', lovin', and honorin' our main man! Dino-heartedly, DMP
Hey pallies, the days of Dino-amore month keeps flyin' by!!!!!! Likes we find ourselves on day twenty-two! with yet more cool correspondence comin' in from our deeply-devoted-to-Dino pallie Graham. This time 'round Graham speaks to us 'bout "one thing I would really love to do now." To find out what more Graham still desires to do, simply read on pallies.
Once, 'gain we express our absolute appreciato to Graham for makin' this certainly the most memorable month of Dino-amore that we can recall. And, 'gain Graham, whenever you want to share more of your deepest of deep Dino-hearted adualation of our Dino....we will be willin'ly waitin' to share it with Dino-holics 'round the globe. As we often sez 'round these Dino-parts...keeps lovin', keeps sharin' our most beloved Dino! Dino-delightedly, DMP
Hi DMP.
I forgot to tell you about the letters to and from Jeanne . All in all I've been very lucky in life to have made close contact with both Dean and Jeanne . It almost closes the chapter , but there's one thing I would really love to do now , but can't see it ever happening . I would love to just say hello to Jeanne , and possibly shake her hand . That's all .
I hope one day she may come back to the UK on a shopping trip or something , and I get to hear about it . It would just be so nice to thank her in person for her kind letter, and gifts .
Could happen ..............I live in hope.
G.
Hey there pallies! What's shakin'? How was Dino-Amore Day? I'm hopin' it was FILLED with Romantico swoons & Cool Cool croons! Dino-croons obviously! Well...if not...don't worry! There's STILL time, mi amici! This love-spreadin' month ain't over yet! Ha!
Let me see what I can conjure up. Hmmmm....Ah hah! Gots it!!! This one was simple, pals. Very simple, actually.
When I thinks' 'bout that four letter word...L.O.V.E...and I think of HOT & BURNIN' Passion...only ONE couple comes to mind, my friends! Elizabeth Taylor & Richard Burton! NO other couple...in my opinion...lived as fully & passionately as Liz & Dick, pallies! Wether youse loved them or not...youse had to admit....they KNEW how to live!
Now, pals...youse are probably wondrin' where our bestest, amore-speakin' man, Dean, fits into this amore-makin' equation. Well, my friends...checks this cool coolness out! A few years back...as I've mentioned here before...the Lifetime network put out one of my own personal FAVE flicks ever! "Liz & Dick". GREAT way to spend two hours, by the way, pallies. Now this is where our guy comes in. Guess what tune the producers chose to open this swingin' little film?! Go ahead...just guess. Give up?! OK...Dino's version of "Just in Time"! Yes! Man o man...I almost jumped through my roof! Hahaha!!! What a freakin' jam! Haha!! Sorry pals. Just gets SO SO 'cited even thinkin' 'bout this flick & this jam together! This combo is SURE to get the amore mood swirlin'!
Now, pallies..in his book...Richard said, "that woman always get's here just in time." How PERFECTO is that?! He was truly lost without his Elizabeth. Those producers musta REALY did their homework pickin' this tune, my friends!
So, mi amici...there youse go. My dedication to a special friend. A TRULY GREAT inspiration to get out there & find some LOVE & some TRUE PURE passion to show youse how to LIVE!!!
SALUTE to Dino-Amore Month...SALUTE to Richard & Elizabeth...& SALUTE to our pal, Dino! Ciao!
Just in time, I found you just in time
Before you came my time was running low
I was lost, the losing dice were tossed
My bridges all were crossed, no where to go
Now you're here, now I know just where I'm going
No more doubt or fears I've found my way
For love came just in time
You found me just in time
And changed my lonely life that lucky day
Now you're here, now I know just where I'm going
No more doubt or fears I've found my way
For love came just in time
You found me just in time
And changed my lonely life that lucky day
Hey pallies, likes the awesome amore for our most beloved Dino keeps flowin' from our pallie Graham's pen, and we are absolutely appreciative of yet 'nother Dino-remembrance from Graham on this twentieth day of Dino-amore month! This time 'round Graham tells us 'bout a relatively recent extraordinary encounter with our Dino's second wife, Jeanne.
Likes youse will be magnificently moved by Graham's deepest of deep desire to communicate his decades long devotion to our Dino to Dino's Jeanne. Graham is a man of devoted determination when in comes to our King of Cool and we are most delighted to once 'gain share his remarkable remembrances with Dino-holics all over the globe.
We don't want to say to much to spoil Graham's weavin' of wise words, and so we will just say, THANKS 'GAIN PALLIE! for sharin' more of your touchin' and tender testimony of deepest of deep devotion to our one and only Dino. And, likes Graham, if youse scribed it, we'll be sure to share it here at ilovedinomartin. You are certainly makin' Dino-amore month 2016 full of most memorable moments your ongoin' awesome adulation of our main man! Dino-only, DMP
Hi DMP. Just checked out ilovedinomartin and my story looks great on the web !! Thanks for using it.
I'll tell you another little gem that very few know about .
A couple of years ago I decided to try and make contact with Jeanne, a lady I always thought was the one and only true love of Dean's . They always seemed the perfect showbiz couple, with a loving and complete family , and were often seen "out on the town" together. It came as a huge shock to us when they divorced in 1973. I'm sure others were totally shocked with their parting too. It was such a shame . I'm so glad that in later times Dean and Jeanne did spend a lot of time together again.
Anyway , after my London excitement with Dean , I always wanted to somehow let Jeanne know what Dean meant to my family and I .
I wanted to tell her all about what meeting Dean meant , and why I wanted it to happen . I wanted to tell her of the years of following his life and career, collecting all sorts of items , and making so many friends Worldwide who loved Dean too.
But I could never really find out her ACTUAL home address, but then a friend of mine, from "somewhere in Europe", had managed to visit Jeanne's home in Beverly Hills , but was refused access at the gate.
So now thanks to my friend , I knew for certain Jeanne's home address. And, so I put pen to paper and sent off a lengthy letter . Well , it wasn't that long but I did manage to say what I wanted to .
And I got a reply from Jeanne in person, a couple of weeks later !!!
A parcel was delivered to my home from Beverly Hills, California. A parcel from Jeanne Martin !!
Inside Jeanne had so kindly sent me a lovely hand written note on monogramed paper, a DVD of some of Dean's TV work , and some special " no one else has these" photographs, of Dean and Jeanne on their wedding day .
How wonderful is that ??!!
I never thought I'd get a reply , but it just goes to show how thoughtful the Martin family are, and if you really want something, and go about it the right way, things CAN happen in life.
Of course I replied to say a huge thank you , as I did when I recieved a "Thank you" card, after I'd sent a sympathy card to Jeanne and the Family when Dean passed ...............but that's another story.
Hey pallies, likes welcome back to day nineteen of Dino-amore month and even more awesome amore of our Dino from his deeply deeply devoted Brit pallie Graham. In response to our first Dino-offerin' from Graham on Wednesday, Graham sent us the followin' patter sharin' more incredible insights into our Dino's performances as only one who was there coulda share 'em.
And, likes in addition to more remarkable reflections of awesome adulation from our pallie Graham, he also sent our way a powerful plethora of poses of our most beloved Dino from his '83 visit to London includin' one of her royal highness Princess Anne with our royal high Dino! Also included is the poster (or perhaps programme cover) announcin' the 10------count 'em------performances that our Dino did at the Apollo Victoria Theatre.
Likes we stand in awe of the absolute affectionate amore that Graham has for our main man and his great generosity of sharin' his marvelous memories and touchin' and tender treasures with Dino-holics everywhere via ilovedinomartin. All we can say Graham is THANK YOU VERY MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF OUR DINO-HEARTS!!!!! And, we hope you will continue to grace the pages of ilovedinomartin with more and more Dino-adulation!!!!! Always, Only Dino, DMP
Hi DMP. Yep , have already checked you out !! I visit your ilovedinomartin EVERY day .
Completely forgot to tell you of that special evening when the concert was recorded . We went every night ( as in '87 ) , and each night was a real experience . Basically the same , but with Dean's unique ways he made each evening very different . Little phrases were different , his moves , his expressions , his smiles . Totally unique evenings.
And yes , we couldn't believe it when we were briefly privileged to see Dean actually tape Bad Bad Leroy Brown . We managed to watch for a couple of minutes before we were spotted looking into the lorry at the monitors , and the door was firmly shut on us . But then , as I say, a few minutes later we were to see Dean driven rapidly from the theatre into the dark London city.............
We had waited SO LONG for Dean to come to London , and both in 1983 and 1987 those years were made VERY special for my wife and I , not just because we saw Dean in concerts , but for those EXTRA special moments too .
Take care .......
Hey pallies, likes what is the greatest of great goal of Dino-devotees everywhere while our Dino walked the earth? Likes, of course, to meet our most most beloved Dino in person! Well, today on this eighteenth day of Dino-amore month, ilovedinomartin is thrilled beyond thrilled to share with you the first person account of how one of our Dino's fanatical fans actually gots the profoundly proud privilege of bein' one on one in the immediate presence of the King of Cool.
Today we share with you our Brit pallie Graham's personal touchin' and tender testimony of actually bein' with our main man prior to our Dino's last concert at the London Palladium in 1987. Yesterday we shared the first part of Graham's superb scribin' 'bout his Dino-experiences when our Dino played London in 1983. and today we are proudly pleased to share his stunnin' sentiments of how he actually lived out the dream that all Dino-holics have of makin' the scene with our one and only Dino.
With tons of fanfare, but no further ado, we invites you to enter Graham's world when he entered our most beloved Dino's world. We are thrilled that Graham has consented to let us share his achievin' his Dino-dream with Dino-holics everywhere via ilovedinomartin. Graham has confided in us that he is a daily visitor at our little Dino-conclave, for which we feel most blessed, and we are hopin' that many many more times Graham will grace the pages of ilovedinomartin with his presence. Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Graham Remembers: Dean In London 1987
Having watched and listened to Dean for many years, and collected all
sorts of memorabilia relating to his life and career, it was a
welcome surprise to learn that the man himself was to visit our shores
in Great Britain, for a series of concerts. It was 1983, and Dean was
to appear at London's Apollo Victoria Theatre. BRILLIANT !
After all these years Dean was coming back to see us. ( He's been
here 30 years earlier with Jerry Lewis, when they played the Glasgow
Empire and the London Palladium ). I quickly booked my tickets, and
arranged for somewhere to stay . Then waited.......and it was a long
wait, it seemed like an eternity !!
Then in the summer of '83, he burst onto stage at the Apollo Victoria
to thunderous applause. He looked just fabulous. Tall , slim and
tanned in his immaculate tux complete with red hankie ! Just
wonderful.
He looked even better that I expected for a 66 year old . He didn't
look anywhere near his age. And his performance that night, and every night, was outstanding. Full of joy, laughter, warmth, sincerity, and CLASS. He was absolute
CLASS.
It was a real joy to witness this great man on stage, and to be so
CLOSE to him. So close as to see his warm smile, and the twinkle in
his "pretty brown eyes". So close that I managed to shake his hand
most nights, when he did his farewell on stage.
He was so nice .....
Well, that was that I thought. After all these years I'd finally
topped everything and managed to see Dean in concert "LIVE". There
before me, in the same room as me so to speak.
And,he'd had such a wonderful time here too. The press had been kind
to him with excellent reviews, the crowds had overwhelmed him, he was
interviewed for television, and had dinner with a princess. Why, oh
why, had he waited for 30 years to get here ?
He said he'd waited until he could get cheap flights as a pensioner.
Ha Ha !! Over the next few months I gradually came back down to Earth, and
often though about my time in London.
THEN IT HAPPENED !!!
An announcement was made that Dean was coming back, and this time to
play the London Palladium. Dates were finally made for 1987. Right I
thought, this time I wanna MEET this huge huge star...if I can.
I could have made my own way to his hotel, or made a scene at the
theatre. But no, I wanted to do this the right way and possibly
things may happen for me.
Well, over many months I wrote to Dean's manager/friend, Mort Viner,
at International Creative Management on Sunset Boulevard asking if I
could meet Dean when he came to London.I must have wrote dozens of
times, but never gotr a reply. It was getting near to Dean's arrival,
and I was running out of time. So, I rang Mr. Viner at his office in
desperation, NEVER thinking he'd speak to me. But I was put through
to his office and he DID speak to me. Boy, was I nervous , but it was
arranged that I COULD meet Dean sometime during his stay. He's
received all my letters, and had half expected me to call. I suppose
it just showed how eager I was, if I was going to call Los Angeles !!
He told me that they'd be staying at the Inn On The Park, on Park
Lane, in Suite 210. ( "2nd floor, I hate lifts" ) He also gave me
their date of arrival and said he'd see me sometime during their stay.
When I put that phone down , I think I was in shock. I WAS getting to
MEET Dean. I WAS, I WAS !! It was hard to believe, but it was going to
happen.
Eventually, time came around to travel to London for Dean's stint at
the Palladium and I was eager to go to the hotel, which I did the
very next day . It was Dean's opening night. The receptionist at the
hotel phoned Mr.Viner for me, and he came down , and we introduced
ourselves. He was a bit cautious of me, I could see that. But, it's
understandible....I could have been some sort of crank ready to hit
on Dean or something. But, we talked for a few moments and made
arrangements for me to "see" Dean that night at the Palladium. I was
to wait at the front of the stage, by the wings, on the right hand
side of the stage.Be there before Dean was to open.
Well, I was there alright. VERY early too !! Spent some time talking
to security, who weren't gonna let me pass....no way . Then Mort
appeared, I felt throat go dry. This was it.....
"Sorry, but Dean's running late. Will you be here tomorrow ? "
Yes, I told him, I'm here every night. That either amazed or
impressed him . I'm not sure, but I could see the look on his face,
when I said "every night".
Now, I was on a real downer.......and that went on all week. Every
night I'd wait in the wings, only to be let down for some reason or
another. I got quite pally with the security guy . Then on Dean's
FINAL night, Mort appeared and beckoned in through the door of the
wings. The guard said "made it at last......." , and I sure had. Mort
led me through another couple of doors, and I found myself on the
STAGE of the PALLADIUM !! I was working across those World famous
boards ( curtains down of course ), to meet one of the most famous
entertainers in the entire world. A huge, huge super-star was going
to spare ME some time. I really couldn't believe it. I was in awe.
I could see Dean sat at a small table, without his jacket on just
getting prepared for the show. As we approached, he got up and Mort
introduced me to him. He held out his HUGE hand, and I took it in my
grasp. There I was, a nobody, stood here holding on to the greatest
entertainer ever. I couldn't believe it. I had so much to say to
him,.....things I'd run over in my mind dozens of times during the
last few months. But, I was practically gasping to speak. I thanked
him for all the wonderful years he's given to not only me, but
millions of people all over the world. I thanked him for coming to
GB , and was so glad he'd decided to come agian so soon. I hoped he's
enjoyed his stay, and said I really wished for him to come back
again. And, I thanked him for sparing me a few moments. At least,
that's what I THINK I said to him !!
He was so warm, and kind, and sincere. It seemed as if he genuinely
didn't know what all the fuss was about. Why did all these people out
there in the seats love him so much ? Why had I wanted to meet him ?
What had he done ? "I'm just a guy from Stubenville, who sings a
little".....
I really believe he didn't realize the impact he had on the world of
entertainment.
Anyway, it was time for me to leave,and for him to get ready to go on
stage. I gave him one last squeeze of his right hand.......he
said "Thanks......" He thanked ME. How ridiculous is that ? He'd just
given me more than he'd EVER given lots and lots of others. I can't
remember him ever giving time like that to anyone before, even
other "stars". He just didn't do that. He MADE ME feel so special,
and I still know to this day , how unique that time was.
I don't think it was Dean's fault though, even though he was a loner.
I think he was just over-protected by the people around him. I'm sure
he'd give time to anyone who wanted to meet him, or even shake his
hand.
One memory that's a bit negative though is how tired Dean seemed when
we were talking. Being so close to him, I realized how drained Dean
looked. His eyes were very tired looking, and for once he did look
his age of 70. But, there again he was fighting against the recent
loss of his beloved Dean-Paul, and he deserved a huge pat on the back
for soldiering on .
When he came out on that stage though he was the King Of Cool, as
usual,and performed his heart out. But, he wasn't the Dean of '83.
The spark wasn't quite there, and he even forgot his words a bit ,
especially during "For The Good Times". Whether Dean Paul had a
connection there, we'll never know.
It was a bit sad to see him up there in those spot lights. It was
almost as if he was going out with a bang, having one last ride. A
real trooper......a real professional.
I'll never forget it, and I sometimes choke up thinking about it. It
was a very special time for me. Memories truely are made of that.....
All best wishes to Deanagers everywhere, Graham.
Hey pallies, likes it's magic dudes! Not long after we posted yesterday's Dino-devotion with the vid clips of our most beloved Dino's visit to London in '83, believe it our not pallies, one of the deepest of deeply devoted to Dino pallies 'round, a Brit tagged Graham emailed us the remarkable remembrance below that, get this Dino-philes, happened after Graham and his pallies had been present for our Dino's perform at the Apollo Victoria Theater.
We have been acquainted with Mr. Graham since the days of ilovedinomartin's first incarnation, the yahoo group ilovedinomartin....the most active Dino-dialogue group on the 'net in it's day. The blog version of ilovedinomartin began several years after the yahoo group. Graham was pallies with down under Deanagers tagged Kylie Hughes and Levi Hollingsworth, and Ky and Levi introduced Graham to our yahoo group, and became a pallie of ours.
Unfortunately we had lost track of Kylie, Levi, and Graham, but recently Graham contacted us concernin' a particular Dino-vid version of "Since I Met You Baby, and we have been in communicato since. Back in the day, Graham had shared with us, at the yahoo group, his exclusive first person account of how he met our Dino in the flesh...yes pallies....IN THE FLESH!!!!! And, we are workin' on sharin' that with all youse Dino-holics as the most special of special Dino-amore month presentation before this month's end.
Well, before we have gotten that most wondrous of wondrous Dino-event posted, Graham just emailed us yesterday 'bout his other most special of special Dino-experiences. As we said, it occured in '83 after our Dino's potent performance at the Apollo Victoria Theater. We believe that we are the first to be sharin' this incredible information anytime, anywhere on the 'net and we does so on this seventeenth day of Dino-amore month 2016!
Likes we don't wanna takes likes any thunder 'way from Graham's extraordinary experience, so take it 'way Graham! We does shouts out our awesomest of awesome appreciato to Graham...a Dino-holic's Dino-holic and encourage all of youse to stayed tune for Graham's personal prose on the night he met our King of Cool. And, btw pallies we begin Graham's marvelous missive with a vid clip of Dino's croonin' of "Bad Bad Leroy Brown".....the song at the cool center of Graham's remarkable remarks!
Dino-always, ever, and only, DMP
Hi . Another thing which I forgot to mention to you regarding Dean In London , was that myself, my wife, and a small group of friends were thrilled to be able to watch Dean RECORD "Bad Bad Leroy Brown".
It was on the night that the Showtime recording took place , and we were outside the theatre at the end of the show , thinking Dean was long gone .
All the recording equipment and vehicles were still parked up , and as we walked past one such vehicle , we glanced in . And there , still on stage was Dino !!
We watched in awe , as he was taping Bad Bad . They must be editing the tape or something, we thought . But that's strange , because he hadn't sang Leroy Brown during the concert !!
He was still inside and they were recording the song right at that moment . We watched Dean being prompted , stopped , re-started , asked to move a little to one side , etc.
We just couldn't believe what was happening in front of us on a moniter in one of the trucks .
Then we were spotted , and the door was firmly shut in front of us . But what we had witnessed was truly wonderful . An impromptu Dean , almost rehearsing , and definitely recording the song .
We chatted for a little while , and then Karen my wife, spotted a black limo parked further along the pavement. Suddenly Dean came out of the theatre , hurried down the steps , got into the limo and was whisked away into the night , car horn blazing at it went .
WOW !! There can't be many people that have witnessed our man recording . The song was later spliced into the "live" DVD release, but unfortunately some nice items were also cut from the original concert . So, we're NOT really seeing the complete concert as performed , rather an adjusted one for the USA market , which is a shame . But at least there's something out there for Deanagers worldwide to see and appriciate.
Hey pallies, likes on this sixteenth day of Dino-amore month we takes you to London for some very fantastic filmed moments showin' the deepest of deep devotion that the Brits have for our most beloved Dino.
In the year of our Dino 1983, our main man, after decades of bein' absent from makin' the scene in England, consented to do a series of concerts at the Apollo Victoria Theater. In addition to doin' the concerts our Dino was hugely homaged by receivin' the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Variety Club of Great Britain at a beau-ti-ful bash that also celebrated his 66th birthday.
The Dino-celebration and live concert were filmed by Showtime and the vid clip below shared by Mr. Johan Nilsson, contains marvelous moments from the Variety Club's touchin' and tender tribute as well as a few minutes of our Dino's marvelous monologue from the concert. After years of waitin' with bated breath, the DVD featuring 60 minutes of live footage from our Dino's show at London's Apollo Victoria theatre show in 1983 is now available as disc four on the Dino-collection tagged "Dean Martin Collected Cool."
In addition to the highlights of the Dino-party and Dino-concert, the first moments of the vid includes portions of an 1977 interview with Mr. Sammy Davis Jr. conducted by Mr. Bruce Forsyth inqurin' of Sammy why our Dino had not returned to British soil. To go directly to our Dino click on the vid 'bout 2:50.
We are likes totally totally pumped to be likes sharin' these magical moments of absolutely awesome amore of our Dino in this swankly special month of Dino-amore. We thanks Mr. Johan Nilsson for puttin' this vid of our Dino's journey to London in '83 for Dino-holics everywhere to deeply deeply dig. Dino-sharin', DMP
It seemed for a long time that Dean Martin would never come back to England. But just when you thought Dean wouldn't show up then finally in 1983 there he was! He not only did a concert at the Apollo Victoria Theater, but he also celebrated his 66th birthday and received a lifetime achievement award from the Variety Club of Great Britain.
Hey pallies, likes welcome to the day after Dino-amore day 2016 here at ilovedinomartin. While we are likes totally totally thrilled that our deeply deeply Dino-devoted pallie Danny G. happily and heart-fully handled this year's Dino-amore day post 'cause it fell on his weekly Danny G.'s Sunday Serenade With Dino post, we also want to share with all youse Dino-philes somethin' most Dino-special as well as sorta special on this day after Dino-amore Day.
Likes, what we have chosen to share in the hugest of huge homage of our most beloved Dino is a replay of our down under pallie Mr. Joshua Meggitt's most marvelous magical radio programme tagged, "Dean Martin - The Later Years, on Max Headroom" on Aussie Radio..."3RRR FM's." As we tagged it in earlier scribin's here at ilovedinomartin we said, "an hour long radio programme that is a marvelous mix of '70's and '80's Dino-croons and choice audio recordin's from our Dino's later work on both the small and big screens..."
We gotta 'fess that over and over 'gain we clicks on the link and listen to pallie Joshua's most lovin' of lovin' Dino-programme...often as background when we do our almost daily google Dino-blog searchin' for more potent posts to share here at ilovedinomartin. Truthfully we are absolutely awesomely addicted to Mr. Meggitt's excellent efforts and can't ever get's 'nough of our Dino croonin' tunes likes "Party Dolls And Wine" and "I'm Forever Blowing Bubbles" to name just two of our fav of favs shared on the radio programme. Youse too can groove on this extraordinary effort on Joshua's part by CLICKIN' HERE DUDES!
What we share below is Meggitt's personal blog sharin' on his Dino-jams at his boldly beau-ti-ful blog tagged "...As Though The Shame Would Outlive Him." He most coolly tagged his powerful post, " We were most pleased, at the time, and still are, that he gave a superb shout-out to ilovedinomartin in his swank scribin's
Likes once 'gain, we sends Mr. Joshua Meggitt our awesomest of awesome appreciato for his perfectly potently powerful absolute adulation of our one and only Dino that we thinks is the perfecto post of Dino-amore on this day before the day of Dino-amore 2016! To checks out pallie Joshua's wondrously wise words in their original format, simply clicks on the tag of this here Dino-report.
Always Dino, Always, DMP
Thursday, 28 May 2015
Dean Martin - The Later Years, on Max Headroom
More belated and perfunctory posting. I recently presented a special on the later years of Dean Martin for 3RRR FM's Max Headroom, which can be streamed here . There I celebrated what I find to be Dino's most interesting period, a strange world of almost intentionally lacklustre recordings, a melange of stale Tin Pan Alley standards, big band, country and sixties bubblegum pop that, in the late 1970s, sounded particularly incongruous. Ironically such product could also only come from the 1970s.
Here is the blurb for the show:
Over his long and varied career, Dean Martin, "The King of Cool", was a heart throb, crooner, film star and leading member of the rat pack.
He was also known as "The Laziest Man In Showbiz", churning out countless albums of stale standards and hosting formulaic, TV specials for over 40 years.
On Max Headroom this week, Joshua Meggitt explores this lacklustre Dino, playing choice filler from his later albums, with excerpts from such cinematic highlights as The Cannonball Run 2
By focusing on the later years, I intentionally avoided his younger, more well known material, the stuff of nostalgia shows and Scorsese films, and went straight to the end: his lazy, resolutely uncool, critically condemned, and now long forgotten (if ever paid attention to) final years. It's a world of strange, almost studied mediocrity, so mindlessly middle-of-the-road that hearing it now, its quite unlike all other music. Exemplary is "Old Bones", the opening song from his final album, 1983's The Nashville Sessions:
Today, Dean Martin is largely remembered as a lazy, lackadasical Frank Sinatra, a Las Vegas self-parody, his reputation resting on a few comedies he made with Jerry Lewis, and some charming pieces of pop fluff that once topped the Hit Parade with retro “lounge” revivals and appearances in mafia films. Even by the later years of his own career, his early days as a global, charismatic romantic icon are long forgotten… and yet I can’t look away! This song is so stupid, but I love it: "Love Thy Neighbour" from 1978's penultimate Once in a While.
The main appeal with Dean Martin was his carelessness, a quality I've even managed to get my four year old to appreciate. He was, as biographer Nick Tosches dubbed him, the ultimate menefreghista - one who just doesn't give a fuck.Or, going further, what contrarian commentator and Oxbow singer Eugene Robinson describes as outright violent misanthropy.
Dean Martin’s vocals say one thing to my ears: FUCK YOU!
The more I listen, the more I agree. Hostility and scorn for both his material and his audience is clearly expressed in his reading of "It Keeps Right On A-Hurtin'", from the wonderfully titled, My Woman My Woman My Wife of 1970. Essentially a ballad about the pain of breaking up, listen to Dean laugh as he delivers the line, "I cry myself to sleep each night", as though the very concept of him feeling heartbreak is absurd:
The ilovedinomartin Dean Martin fansite blog got wind of the program and promoted it heavily. Check out their kind words here but here's an excerpt:
Hey pallies likes are we in for the hugest of huge Dino-treats as today, as promised we share our newest pallie, down under dude Mr. Joshua Meggitt's coolest of cool "celebration" of our Dino....an hour long radio programme that is a marvelous mix of '70's and '80's Dino-croons and choice audio recordin's from our Dino's later work on both the small and big screens...
We gotta 'fess up that we grooved on each and ever moment of this purely potent programme of passionate appreciato for our King of Cool. We particularly loved listenin' to a number of croons from our Dino's last al-b-um, "The Nashville Sessions." And, we couldn't 'gree more with Josh that these particular croons really are remarkably revelatory of our Dino's life and times at that point...truly these croons form a stellar set of Dino-teachin's!!!!!
We coulda goes on and on, 'bout the wonderful mixin' of Mr. Meggitt's Dino-reflections with our Dino's singin', but likes we wants youse all to enjoy this amazin' programme lovin'ly presented by in-the-know Dino-holic Mr. Joshua Meggitt.
We salute Josh for this tremendous tribute to our main man and for encouragin' his audience to develop a deeper understandin' and relationship with of our Dino by readin' Nick Tosche's Dino-bio, "DINO: Living High In The Dirty Business Of Dream. And thanks ever so much to pallie Josh for even givin' a nice shout out to our humble little Dino-blog, ilovedinomartin. for doin' our part to promote his Dino-special.
