Italian-American singers dominated pop in mid-20th century (Book Review)

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | 11/07/2010 | Robert Croan

[Kid Shelleen]

In the years roughly between 1947-64 -- from the end of big bands to the rise of Beatles -- Italian-American singers dominated American pop music. That's the argument Mark Rotella, a proud Italian-American himself, makes in this chatty, unscholarly history of that era.

He does it through cameos of the major figures, many of whom he interviewed in person or by phone over the past decade.

The Italians who immigrated during the first decades of the 20th century brought with them a love for music rooted in opera and the Neapolitan song

[Bon mots]

Actually, it was mostly Neopolitans... most of the well-known Italian singers and songs are from Naples...

Even when Dean Martin sings, “When the stars make you drool just like pasta fazool...” he is using the Neopolitan dialect word for ‘beans’ instead of the Italian word, “Pasta e fagioli”.

[Bon mots]

ok... before someone comes along and points it out, YES, I know that Pavarotti was from Modena...

:)

[OldPossum]

That is one of the weirdest stories I’ve ever seen. Reminds me of stories of black guys and other body parts.

I can't vouch for the supposition. Just have read it in a number of places. It may be based upon real physiological findings, don't know, that's why I asked for any verification.

If true, it would partly explain why they are such good singers, you know.