Posted on 09/24/2013 11:01:00 AM PDT by raccoonradio
Gia (a/k/a JoAnn) Maione Prima died on September 23, 2013 in Florida at the age of 72. She was an American singer and widow of singer Louis Prima.
Gia was born May 20, 1941 in Roebling, New Jersey. From the early age of 3, her sole interest was music. At age 4 began 17 years of piano and extensive vocal training under Alma Steedman, Choir Director at Westminster Choir College at Princeton University.
Upon graduation in June 1959 from Toms River High School (now known as Toms River High School South) in New Jersey, she received the National Arion Society Award in Music. With intent to attend Julliard School of Music in New York City, Gia worked at the local Howard Johnsons Restaurant, to begin saving money for the tuition and to continue her vocal and piano instruction.
In late 1961 it came to Gia's attention that Louis Prima was conducting a nationwide search for a new vocalist. His tour brought him to the Latin Casino in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, where Gia auditioned on Mother's Day 1962 and Louis immediately selected her. The next 12 years were a whirlwind of live regular performances, TV shows and recordings. (Snip: list of venues) Recordings: 14 albums and numerous 45's for Capitol Records, Disney Records, DeLite Label, Brunswick Records and Prima label.
Louis and Gia married February 12, 1963. Their union produced two children Lena and Louis Jr.
Professionally, Gia volunteered for many benefit charities and telethons and sponsored many golf tournaments to benefit charities. She was inducted in the Toms River Regional Schools Hall
Gia Maione Prima is predeceased by husband Louis Prima. She is survived by her two children Lena Prima Fahey, Louis Prima Jr.
There will be a private service at Lakelawn Metairie Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana.
As a kid, I was in love with Keely.
Was Sam Butera a quest on the Carson Show?
RIP.
Butera may have been, not sure.
Prima & Keely better known that Prima & Gia, though the latter union produced “Louis Prima Jr” born 1965 who is also a singer. Prima was older than Keely—also a bit older than
Gia (we’re talking Prima maybe born 1910, and she in 1940) but hey, despite the age difference, there was love...and music.
I have 2 of those Louis Prima albums you posted.
I saw Butera in concert around 2000.
Were there any Witnesses?
(Saw Sam in Vegas ~1995.)
Sounds like Louis Prima was a fun kind of guy, making a living, by making people happy, or trying to. I envy the word freedom they had back then, before so much political correctness. Some of his song titles could not be publicly used now; songs like “Please No Squeeza Da Banana”, or that ever popular “Say It With A Slap!”. This from a guy who had affairs with Jean Harlow.
“Butera may have been, not sure.”
Carson used to have a Vegas trumpet player on as a guest fairly often. The guy was hilarious!
I loved Louis Prima singing with Keeley Smith, but I watched a movie about them and he was abusive.
Yup—Keely was from Norfolk VA and “The Closer to the Bone (The Sweeter is the Meat)” has a line, “My slice of Virginia ham is the best that you can eat.”
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