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Crooner Frankie Laine dies at 93 Crooner Frankie Laine dies at 93
(20 minutes later)
The American singer Frankie Laine has died in a California hospital, aged 93, suffering a heart attack after undergoing hip replacement surgery.The American singer Frankie Laine has died in a California hospital, aged 93, suffering a heart attack after undergoing hip replacement surgery.
He became one of the most popular singers of the late 40s and 50s before rock 'n' roll put him in the shade.He became one of the most popular singers of the late 40s and 50s before rock 'n' roll put him in the shade.
His hits include Jezebel, I Believe, and the theme to the television Western series, Rawhide.His hits include Jezebel, I Believe, and the theme to the television Western series, Rawhide.
"He was one of the greatest singers... one of the last Italian crooner types," said his producer Jimmy Marino."He was one of the greatest singers... one of the last Italian crooner types," said his producer Jimmy Marino.
He gave his last public performance little more than a year ago, singing his first big hit That's My Desire on a TV show.He gave his last public performance little more than a year ago, singing his first big hit That's My Desire on a TV show.
Born Frank LoVecchio, he was the song of a barber who immigrated to the United States from Sicily. Born Frank LoVecchio, he was the son of a barber who immigrated to the United States from Sicily.
He struggled to earn a living until he was in his 30s and had his first hit in 1947, after Hoagy Carmichael enthused about his performance in a Los Angeles nightclub.He struggled to earn a living until he was in his 30s and had his first hit in 1947, after Hoagy Carmichael enthused about his performance in a Los Angeles nightclub.
"Ten years is a good stretch of scuffling," Laine later said. "But I scuffled for 17 years before it happened, and 17 is a bit much.""Ten years is a good stretch of scuffling," Laine later said. "But I scuffled for 17 years before it happened, and 17 is a bit much."
Among his other hits were Mule Train, Cool Water, Granada and That Lucky Old Sun.Among his other hits were Mule Train, Cool Water, Granada and That Lucky Old Sun.
Parody themeParody theme
In a career lasting four decades, Laine achieved 21 gold records, and sold about 250 million albums.In a career lasting four decades, Laine achieved 21 gold records, and sold about 250 million albums.
As well as Rawhide, he sang the theme to Mel Brooks' parody 1974 Western movie, Blazing Saddles.As well as Rawhide, he sang the theme to Mel Brooks' parody 1974 Western movie, Blazing Saddles.
He also covered songs by country singers, including Hank Williams' classics, Hey Good Lookin' and Your Cheatin' Heart.He also covered songs by country singers, including Hank Williams' classics, Hey Good Lookin' and Your Cheatin' Heart.
Frankie Laine's family said he would be remembered for the beautiful music he brought into the world, his wit and his sense of humour.Frankie Laine's family said he would be remembered for the beautiful music he brought into the world, his wit and his sense of humour.