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| Crooner Frankie Laine dies at 93 | Crooner Frankie Laine dies at 93 |
| (about 2 hours 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. | |
| "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 son 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 theme | Parody 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. |