Lou Monte

Lou Monte (born Louis Scaglione; April 2, 1917 – June 12, 1989) was an Italian American singer best known for a number of best-selling, Italian-themed novelty records which he recorded for both RCA Victor and Reprise Records in the late 1950s and early 1960s, most famously "Lazy Mary" (1958) and the 1962/63 million-selling US single "Pepino the Italian Mouse", plus the seasonal track "Dominick the Donkey". He also recorded on Roulette Records, Jubilee Records, Regalia Records, Musicor Records, Laurie Records, and AFE Records.
Early life
Monte was born on April 2, 1917, in Manhattan to Italian immigrant parents, but his mother died when he was only two. He was raised in Lyndhurst, New Jersey, and he began performing at the age of fourteen. But success came slowly: by his own account, although he sang and played guitar in a number of clubs, he did not begin to gain a large following for about fifteen years.
Early career
By the early 1940s, he was performing in New York City, and he was also a headliner at several New Jersey clubs. But when World War II broke out, Monte had to put his career on hold and enlist in the Army. When he was discharged, he resumed playing in clubs, and got a break when he was hired by WAAT AM 970 in Newark, New Jersey, in 1948 to do his own show. This offered Monte a chance to refine his act and it helped him to gain a much larger audience. The station rewarded him by convincing its sister TV outlet, WATV/13, to give him some airtime.
Beginning with this exposure, Monte made a couple of recordings on local labels. Joe Carlton was an A&R for RCA Victor Records and heard him performing in a spaghetti joint south of Secaucus. He enjoyed his singing style and the way he accompanied himself on the guitar. He offered him a contract with RCA Victor which lasted seven years. Joe Carlton would go on to start Carlton Records.
Success
Monte's first big hit came in 1954, with the release of his version of "Darktown Strutters' Ball". In 1962, Monte released his first million-seller song, "Pepino the Italian Mouse", which was awarded a gold disc. Co-written by Ray Allen and Wandra Merrell and sung alternately in English and a pastiche of Calabrese, "Pepino the Italian Mouse" tells the humorous tale of a mischievous mouse who lives within the walls of a man's home and who pesters him by eating his cheese, drinking his wine and frightening his girlfriend. Arranged by Joe Reisman, who was Monte's longtime collaborator, the single is credited to Don Costa Productions. "Pepino" peaked at number five on [[Billboard Hot 100|Billboards Hot 100]] in mid-January and fared even better in certain markets, including Monte's native New York City, where the single spent two weeks at number one on WABC at the end of December.
The "flip side" of the single featured another Italian-American hybrid novelty song called "What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware?)." The song presumes that George Washington was cold, tired, hungry and without a change of underwear on his famous trip. At one point in the song, "Washington" complains that the pizzas his wife Martha baked were as "cold as ice". His solution? "Sell them to the Indians for only half the price." He then asks his boatsmen to row faster because "tonight I'm posing for my picture on the dollar bill."
Monte's other famous novelty records include "Dominick the Donkey", a Christmas staple in many Italian-American households and "Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)", the sequel to "Pepino" followed by "Paulucci, the Italian Parrot" and "Paul Revere's Horse (Ba-Cha-Ca-Loop)". "Lazy Mary", a remake of the Italian song "Luna Mezzo Mare", tells the tale of a conversation between a young woman who wishes to be married, and her mother. The somewhat risque song mixes English and Italian verses. The two use double entendre to compare the occupations with the sexual appetites of the various suitors. It peaked at number 12 on the U.S. Pop Singles chart. "Lazy Mary" is routinely played during the seventh inning stretch at New York Mets games (both at Shea Stadium and now at Citi Field), immediately after "Take Me Out To The Ballgame".
"Dominick the Donkey" has enjoyed more recent success in the UK, thanks to its extensive use on The Chris Moyles Show in reference to Newsbeat newsreader and regular show contributor Dominic Byrne during the Christmas season. During the week leading up to Christmas of 2011, the show suggested or hinted that users download the song from iTunes and Amazon. This led to the song being the number two song on iTunes between December 19–25, 2011. "Dominick the Donkey" reached number 3 in the midweek charts on 21 December 2011, before being confirmed at number 3 in the UK Official Christmas Chart for 2011, only beaten by the X-Factor winners (Little Mix) and a charity record by the Military Wives. Dominic the Donkey did however outsell several rival chart campaigns most notably campaigns supporting Nirvana's rerelease of "Smells Like Teen Spirit", which made number 11, and unsigned YouTube blogger Alex Day, who reached number 4.
A portion of Monte's song "Skinny Lena" has notably been sampled into the They Might Be Giants track "Number Three."
Monte made TV appearances on syndicated programming such as The Mike Douglas Show, The Ed Sullivan Show and the Merv Griffin Show.
Monte resided in Totowa, New Jersey, where his fan club was based. He contributed to the founding of the Lou Monte, Jr., leukemia laboratory at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, in memory of his son who died of the disease at age 21.
Monte's 1971 recording "I Have An Angel In Heaven" was highly popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s satellite radio version of the "Music Of Your Life."
Monte is interred in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Upper Montclair, New Jersey. After his death, his surviving son Ray continued to sing his songs in concert for some time. His son is a professional drummer who plays for many bands.
Discography
Singles
1953 - Jealous of You / Angelina
1953 - A Baby Cried / One Moment More
1954 - Darktown Strutters Ball / I Know How You Feel
1954 - Somewhere There Is Someone / Won't You Forgive Me
1954 - Chain Reaction / Vera's Veranda
1954 - Italian Huckle-Buck / Just Like Before
1954 - When I Hold You In My Arms / In My Dreams
1954 - Cats Whiskers / Roulette
1955 - How Important Can It Be / Truly Yours
1955 - The Italian Wallflower / Dream Boat
1955 - Bella Notte / With You Beside Me
1955 - Yaller Yaller Gold / King Of The River
1955 - Tombolee Tombola / Rosina
1955 - Santo Natale / Italian Jingle Bells
1955/60 - The Long Way / Repeat These Words After Me
1956 - Nina, The Queen of the Teeners / Pony Tail
1956 - If I Knew You Were Coming I'd've Baked A Cake / Ask Your Heart
1956 - Elvis Presley For President / If I Was A Millionaire
1956 - Roman Guitar / Some Cloud Above
1957 - Calypso Italiano / Someone Else Is Taking You Home
1957 - Musica Bella / The Wife
1957 - Ha! Ha! Ha! / Round and Round My Heart
1958 - Lazy Mary / Angelique
1958 - Eh Marie, Eh Marie / Sheik of Araby
1958 - Marianna / Strada 'Nfosa
1958 - Skinny Lena / Where Do You Work Marie
1959 - Pizza boy-U.S.A. / The Italian Cowboy Song
1959 - The Angel in The Fountain / Solo Per Te
1959 - Pistol Packin` Mama / Have Another
1959 - All Because it's Christmas / Santa Nicola
1960 - Remember This Gumba / Guarda Che Luna
1960 - Darktown Strutters’ Ball / Half A Love
1960 - Bim Bam Bu / Oh, Oh, Rosie
1960 - The Huckle-Buck / Always You
1960 - Dominick The Italian Christmas Donkey / Christmas at Our House
1960-61 - The Three Italian Bears / Come Prima*
1961 - A Good Man is Hard to Find / Sixteen Tons
1961 - Oh! My Pa-Pa, O Mio Papa / Tici Ti Tici To Tici Ta
1961 - The Sheriff Of Sicily / Katareena
1962 - Pepino The Italian Mouse / What Did Washington Say (When he Crossed The Delaware)
1962 - Twist Italiano / Oh Tessie
1962 - Please Mr. Columbus (Turn the Ship Around) / Addio, Addio
1963 - Down Little Doggie / La Luna Si Cuole Sposare
1963 - Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat) / I Like You, You Like Me, Eh Paisan
1963 - Bossa Nova Italiano / Limbo Italiano
1963 - Paulucci / You're So Smart, You're So Smart, Eh Papa
1963 - Who Stole My Provolone / Hootennany Italian Style
1964 - A Baby Cried / Rooster And The Hen
1964 - Hello Dolly / Jungle Louie
1964 - Too Fat Polka / You're So Bella Isabella
1964 - I Want To Hold Your Hand (Italian Style) / My Paisans Across The Way
1965 - Six O'Clock Supper / Mama Get The Hammer
1965 - Oh Lonesome Me / Paul Revere's Horse
1965 - I Know How You Feel / Mixed Up Bull From Palermo
1965 - No, No Don't Cry, My Love / Don't Wish Your Heartbreak On Me
1966 - Cheech the Cat / Makin' Whoopee
1966 - Seventeen / Oh How I Miss You Tonight
1967 - There'll Be Some Changes Made / When You Get What You Want
1967 - Digga Digga Baby / A Girl, A Girl
1967 - I Don't Play With Matches Anymore / All For The Kids*
1968 - My Wife, The Dancer / Leaky Gondola
1969 - Goombar Custer's Last Stand / Tattooed Susie
1972 - I Really Don't Want To Know / I Have An Angel In Heaven
1972 - She's Got To Be A Saint /
1976 - Paul Revere's Horse / Jerusalem, Jerusalem
1977 - Crabs Walk Sideways / Nicolina
1981 - Shadda Up You Face / Lazy Mary
(*)Promotion release to radio stations only.
EPsLou Monte Sings for You (196x)
RCA Victor EPA-4177
Lazy Mary
Don't Say Forever
Mama
Just Say I Love HerLazy Mary (196x)
RCA Victor EPA-5105
Darktown Strutters Ball
Lazy Mary
Eh, Marie! Eh, Marie!
Italian Huckle BuckLou Monte Darktown Strutters BallRCA Victor EPA-568
A Baby Cried
One Moment Please
Darktown Strutters Ball
Won't You Forgive MePepino, the Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs (1961)
Reprise # R-6058 EP
Pepino the Italian Mouse
Twist Italiano
What did Washington Say
Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
A Good Man is Hard to Find
Mala Femmena
Show Me the Way to Go Home
AlbumsLou Monte Sings for You (1957)
RCA Victor LPM 1651
Lazy Mary (Luna Mezza Mare)
Don't Say Forever (O sole mio)
Just Say I Love Her
When I Hold You In My Arms
I Have But One Heart
Darktown Strutters Ball (Italian Style)
Mama (Mamma)
Tango Of Roses (Tango del Rosa)
Now Is The Time (Torna a Surriento)
Roman Guitar (Chitarra Romana)
Non Dimenticar (Don't Forget)
Italian Huckle-Buck (The Huckle Buck)Here's Lou Monte (1958)
RCA CAMDEN Cal-455
Tombolee Tombola
Bella Notte
Rosina! (The Menu Song)
Angelina
I've Got A Crush On You
Liza (All the Clouds'll Roll Away)
Fascinating Rhythm
Mine
Jealous of You (Tango della Gelosia)
A Baby CriedLou Monte Sings Songs for Pizza Lovers (1958)
RCA Victor LPM-1877
The Sheik Of Araby (Italian Style)
Jealous of You (Tango della Gelosia)
Bony Lena
Calypso Italiano
If I Knew You Were Comin' I'd've Baked A Cake (Italian Style)
Ha! Ha! Ha! (Cha lla La!)
Eh, Marie! Eh, Marie!
The Wife (La Mogliera)
Musica Bella (The Beautiful Music Of Love)
Angelique
Round And Round My Heart
Italian Jingle BellsItalian House Party (1959)
RCA Victor LPM 1976
Hey Gumbaree (Bibadee Bobadee Bu)
Tell Me You're Mine
Where Do You Work Marie
Senza Mama E Nnammurata!
Solo Perte (Only for You)
Pizza Boy USA
The Italian Cowboy Song
The Angel In The Fountain
Skinny Lena
Strada 'Nfosa
Marianna
Bella DonnaItaliano USA (1960)
Roulette R-25126 / SR-25126
The Huckle-Buck (Italian Style)
Always You
Stella D' Amore (Star Of Love)
Rag Mop
Half A Love
Bim Bam Bu (Fruit Store Man)
Music Goes 'Round And Round
Tango Della Gelosia
Innamorata (Sweetheart) from the Paramount film "Artists And Models"*
(The New) Darktown Strutters' Ball (Italian Style)
Dawn Of Love (L'Edera)
Lazy River (Italian Style)Lou Monte Sings the Great Italian American Hits (1961)
Reprise R-6005 / R9-6005
That's Amore
Sixteen Tons
Sorrento
Volare
Abbracciami
I'm Walkin'
A Good Man Is Hard To Find
Chitarra Romana (Roman Guitars)
O Sole Mio
Luna Luna Luna Lu
Via Veneto
Comm'e Bella A Stagione (When I Hold You In My Arms)Lou Monte Live!!! In Person (1962)
Reprise R-6014 / R9-6014
Just Say I Love Her
Darktown Strutters Ball
Roman Guitars (Chitarra Romana)
Sheik Of Napoli (Sheik of Napoli)
Lazy Mary
Mama
Eh Marie, Eh Marie
Mala Femina
Self - Portrait of Lou Monte at Home
16 Tons
When I Lost You
Skinny Lena
SorrentoPepino, the Italian Mouse & Other Italian Fun Songs (1962)
Reprise R-6058 LP
Pepino, the Italian Mouse
Calypso Italiano
Oh Tessie
Tici Ti-Tica To-Tici Ta
Show Me the Way to Go Home
What did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware)
Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
A Good Man is Hard to Find
Eh Marie, Eh Marie
Sixteen Tons
Mala Femmena
Twist ItalianoSpotlight on Lou Monte & Botti-Endor Quartet (1962)
SDLP-149 Stereo Spectrum Records / Design Records
Oh Mari, O' Sole Mio, Oh Mari
Tell You What I'm Gonna Do
Oh Baby Kiss Me
Yesterday's Memories
Pullechinella
Americano
You're Welcome
Ciao Capri
If I Could Know
Funiculi Funicula, Marenariello, Funiculi FuniculaMore Italian Fun Songs From Lou Monte & The Gang (1963)
Reprise R-6099 / R9-6099
Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)
La Luna Si Vuole Sposare
Pepino's Cha Cha
Tell Me That You Love Me (Parlami D'Amore Mariu)
I Like You You Like Me Eh Paisan
Paulucci (The Italian Parrot)
Bossa Nova Italiano
You're So Smart, You're So Smart, Eh Papa
Arrivederci, Roma
Tijuana Italiano
Oh! My Pa-Pa O Mio Papa
Limbo ItalianoLou Monte's Golden Hits (1964)
Reprise R-6118 / RS-6118
Lazy Mary (Luna Mezzo Mare) (LIVE)
Roman Guitar (Chitarra Romana)
Pepino The Italian Mouse
Mama (LIVE)
Darktown Strutters Ball (LIVE)
Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
The Shiek of Araby (LIVE)
When I Hold You In My Arms (Comm'a Bella'a Stagione)
Eh Marie, Eh Marie (LIVE)
Pepino's Friend Pasqual
Mala Femmena (LIVE)
What Did Washington SayThe Mixed-Up Bull from Palermo (1965)
Reprise R/RS-6155
The Mixed Up Bull From Palermo
Think It Over
My Paisan's Across The Way
Hootennany Italian Style
I Know How You Feel
Skinny Lena
Hello Dolly (Italian Style)
You're So Bella, Isabella
Jungle Louie (The Italian Tarzan)
Too Fat Polka (Italian Style)
Who Stole My Provolone
Down Little DoggieThe Best of Lou Monte (1966)
RCA Victor LPM 3672 / LSP 3672
The Darktown Strutters Ball
Italian Huckle Buck
Roman Guitars
Lazy Mary
Eh Marie, Eh Marie
The Shiek of Araby
Just Say I Love Her
Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu)
When I Hold You In My Arms (Comm'a Bella'a Stagione)
Skinny Lena
Calypso ItalianoLou Monte Sings Good Time Songs (1967)
RCA Victor LPM-3705 /LSP-3705
Oh How I Miss You Tonight
By The Light of The Silvery Moon
The Gang That Sang Heart Of My Heart
Wedding Bells Are Breaking up That Old Gang Of Mine
I Wonder Who's Kissing Her Now
Let The Rest Of The World Go By
When Your Old Wedding Ring Was New
What Can I Say After I Say I'm Sorry
Maybe
Are You Lonesome Tonight
That Old Gang Of Mine
Who's Sorry NowLou Monte, Fun Italian Style (197X)
Tele House CD-2046 (2-LP set)
Disc One
Pepino the Italian Mouse
Eh Marie, Eh Marie
Sixteen Tons
Hello Dolly
Too Fat Polka
Jungle Louie
Lazy Mary
The Sheik of Napoli
My Paisans Across The Way
Bossa Nova Italiano
What Did Washington Say (When He Crossed The Delaware)
Pepino's Cha Cha Cha
That's Amore
Disc Two
Darktown Strutters Ball
Calypso Italiano
Paulucci (The Italian Parrot)
Twist Italiano
Hootenanny Italian Style
Tijuana Italiano
A Good Man is Hard To Find
Skinny Lena
I'm Walking
Think it Over
Oh TessieTake
Please Mr. Columbus (Turn The Ship Around)
Pepino's Friend Pasqual (The Italian Pussy-Cat)Lou Monte Discovers America (1976)
Tele House CDS-1
Paul Revere's Horse
What Did Washington Say
Please Mr. Columbus
Skinny Lena
Nicolena
Heart of My Heart
By the Light of the Silvery Moon
Who's Sorry Now
That Old Gang of Mine
Oh How I Miss You Tonight
Maybe
Let the Rest of the World Go ByLou Monte's Greatest Hits (1977)
Laurie Records LES-4005
Peppino, Jealous of You
The Sheik of Napoli
Paul Revere's Horse
Mama
Lazy Mary
Skinny Lena
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Nicolena
Crabs Walk Sideways
In My Own Little Way I Pray
Darktown Strutter's BallShaddap You Face (1981)
AFE Records AFE-7500
Shaddap You Face
Skinny Lena
Babalucci
Mama
Pepino the Italian Mouse
Darktown Strutters Ball
Lazy Mary
Nicolina
Jealous of You
The Sheik of ArabyPepino Meets Babalucci (198?)
LSFD Records
Babalucci
Shaddap You Face
Pepino the Italian Mouse
Nicolina
Skinny Lena
Lazy Mary
Angel in Heaven
She's Got to Be a Saint
Mama
Mala Femina
Jealous of You
Bella Notta
CDsHere's Lou Monte (CD) (1997)
BMG/Special Music # CDA1-0455 (RCA Victor Re-release of the album by the same name)The Very Best Of Lou Monte (1997)
Taragon Records BMG Special Products (RCA Victor re-release)
TARCD-1030 DRC1-1428Lou Monte Sings Songs for Pizza Lovers/Lou Monte Sings for You (1999)
Collectable Records Corp. BMG Special Products (RCA Victor re-release)
COL-CD-2745 DRC1 2333
Songs from(The Album "Songs For Pizza Lovers" was originally released in 1958 as RCA 1877)
(The Album " Lou Monte Sings for You" was originally released in 1958 as RCA 1651)
(Bonus Tracks originally released in 1958 as selections from the Album RCA 1976-"Italian House Party".)Lou Monte The Best Of RCA VICTOR Recordings (2003)
Taragon Records BMG Special Products (RCA Victor re-release)
TARCD-1101 DRC23075Lou Monte's Golden Hits (2004)
Collectables COL-CD-6156 (Re-release of the album by the same name)
(Reprise Re-release of the album by the same nameThe Mixed Up Bull From Palermo And Other Italian Fun Songs (2004) Release Collectable COL 6716 (Reprise Re-release of the album by the same name.)Lou Monte Sings for Your...Again (2002) Ronray Records*
Pepino the Italian Mouse
She's Got To Be A Saint
Nicolina
I Have An Angel In Heaven
Lazy Mary
An Old Fashioned Girl
Cathedral Town
Skinny Lena
I Really Don't Want To Know
Fascinating Rhythm
I've Got A Crush On You
Sheik Of Araby
The Darktown Strutters BallLou Monte's Greatest Hits Part 2'' (2007) Ronray Records*
Shaddap You Face
Lazy Mary
The Sheik of Napoli
Darktown Strutters Ball
Jerusalem, Jerusalem
Babalucci
Mrs. Brown's Donkey (never before released)
Darktown Disco
The Sheik Disco
In My Own Little Way
Plus 6 more tracks of outtakes.
*Monte's two surviving sons produced these two CDs
Recording label history
RCA Victor 1953-1960
Jubilee Records 1955-1960?
Roulette Records 1960-1961
Reprise Records 1961-1965
RCA Victor 1965-1967
Musicor Records 1968
Regalia Records 1969
GWP Records 1971
Jamie Records 1972
Laurie Records 1976-1977
AFE Records 1981
Special recordingsSoundtracksTwo musical soundtrack albums were made with various recording artist under "Reprise Musical Repertory Theatre Presents".
Finian's Rainbow Reprise Records - FS 2015 - STEREO
Overture
THE HI-LOS - This Time of Year
ROSEMARY CLOONEY- How Are Things in Glocca Morra?
DEAN MARTIN & THE HI-LOS - If This Isn't Love
ROSEMARY CLOONEY - Look to the Rainbow
BING CROSBY & DEBBIE REYNOLDS - Something Sort of Grandish
FRANK SINATRA - Old Devil Moon
SAMMY DAVIS JR - Necessity
FRANK SINATRA - When I'm Not Near The Girl I Love
LOU MONTE & THE MARY KAYE TRIO - When The Idle Poor Become The Idle Rich
THE McGUIRE SISTERS - The Begat
CLARK DENNIS - How Are Things In Glocca Morra? (Reprise)
SAMMY DAVIS JR - The Great Come-And-Get-It Day
Kiss Me, Kate "Where Is The Life That Late I Led?"Radio Station Program RecordingsThe Office of Civil Defense and Mobilization recorded a series of record albums entitle "Stars for Defense" 1958–1967.Lou Monte - Speaks side B''' (Tony Perkins Speaks side A) RCA VICTOR (radio station copy only).
This record was used for commercial breaks with the singer informing the public of the upcoming "News", "Weather", "Time", etc.
References
External links
Official website
1917 births
1989 deaths
American people of Italian descent
American radio personalities
Jubilee Records artists
People from Lyndhurst, New Jersey
RCA Victor artists
Laurie Records artists
Reprise Records artists
20th-century American singers
20th-century American male singers