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Post by AnthonyV on Apr 13, 2005 22:17:53 GMT -5
It might be of interest to some that one of Wildwood's most famous musical summertime residents was a young man from South Philly named Alfredo Arnold Cocozza - who eventualy went on to gain fame as "The American Caruso" under the name Mario Lanza.
Freddy (as he was called), like many South Philly families, would spend every summer at his grandpareants home located on Rio Grande next to where the Fantasy Motel sits today.
He worked one summer on the trolleys that ventured in and around the island before being fired for giving free rides to pretty girls while impressing them with his already remarkable tenor voice! Old-timers who still reside in Wildwood still recall hearing that voice from blocks away!
In the early '50s, Lanza's legendary portrayal of Enrico Caruso in the popularly succesful film "The Great Caruso" would debut here in NJ in Wildwood at a Hunt's Theater and reamin for years and had one of the most successful runs of any film that was featured in a Wildwood theater before THE GODFATHER and JAWS broke all records.
After his tragic death in Rome in 1959 and the sudden passing of his young wife a few months later, Mario's four young children would continue to spend time with their grandparents (Mario's mother and father) at their Rio Grande home.
Lanza was recently honored in January at a historic gala at Lincoln Center for his continuing contributions to popularize opera around the world while inspiring such tenor greats as Pavarotti, Carerras, and Domingo to study opera when they were younger.
Today, Wildwood can boast about hearing that voice - one that is often regarded as one of the greatest tenor voices in history - long before the rest of the world did.
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Post by wildre on Apr 13, 2005 22:29:13 GMT -5
Anthony,
Thanks for the info, never knew that, very interesting. Love the backstreet stuff. Did he ever perform in The Wildwoods? How did he and his wife die? Always loved him in South Pacific. What are his children doing, are they singing, or just normal folks, like us?
re
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Post by AnthonyV on Apr 14, 2005 0:05:33 GMT -5
Mario died of a heart attack in a hospital in Rome after being diagnosed with phlebitis, hypertension, and severe exhaustion caused by bizarre weight gains and extreme dieting. He died at the age of 38 on October 7, 1959.
There have long been absurd stories about Lanza being killed by organized crime while in the hospital, but those are stories that have little or no validity and were proven wrong. He was simply a very sick man who had little use for things done in moderation and that lifestyle caught up with him.
His wife Betty was so devasted by the tragic death of her husband that she went into a terrible depression and basically killed herself by overdosing on medication and alcohol. She died in March 1960 at the age of 36.
I don't think Lanza ever gave a concert in Wildwood. He did peform in Atlantic City once shortly before he became famous.
Mario only made eight films in his short career: THAT MIDNITE KISS, TOAST OF NEW ORLEANS, THE GREAT CARUSO, BECAUSE YOU'RE MINE, STUDENT PRINCE (only voice used), SERENADE, SEVEN HILLS OF ROME, and FOR THE FIRST TIME.
Only two of Mario's four children are alive today. Marc and Colleen, like their parents, died tragicaly at very young ages. His other two children are still alive: Damon Lanza is living on the west coast and promotes his father's legacy in a very dignified way. His sister Elissa resides in England with her husband and children and also is very protective of her father's image.
Lanza is still among RCA/BMG's best selling artist in their history! He was the first classical artist to ever sell records in the millions and was a superstar before the word was ever used!
Just to show you how popular and influential the Lanza legacy is, in 2004 a new collection of unrealeased Lanza material went on to become an enormous best seller for quite some time in the UK. I believe it is still a charting collection as of this day.
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Post by Al Alven on Apr 14, 2005 9:32:18 GMT -5
My dad still plays Mario Lanza albums on the way down to the Wildwoods every year, carrying on a tradition that my grandparents (who passed on a few years back) started way back when.
Thanks for the info on this legendary performer, Anthony!
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Post by AnthonyV on Apr 14, 2005 11:54:51 GMT -5
Al,
No problem. In fact, I've corresponded with Damon Lanza (whose memories of Wildwood are nothing but good) numerous times in the past and he is truly a very kind and caring person who is very protective of his late father's legacy.
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Post by Al Alven on Apr 14, 2005 12:21:36 GMT -5
Anthony, my parents are going to be thrilled to see this information. They are both huge Mario Lanza fans, and they will absolutely eat this stuff up!
Does the old Lanza home on Rio Grande still exist? I assume it doesn’t, judging by the way you described it as being “next to where the Fantasy Motel sits today.”
If it is indeed gone, was it located where the Harley Davidson shop is now?
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Post by AnthonyV on Apr 14, 2005 12:48:06 GMT -5
Al,
I will have to check and see what the exact home address was. I'll try to get in touch with Damon Lanza or his good friend Bob Dolfi and see if either remembers the exact address.
I don't believe the house is there and hasn't been there for years now.
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Post by Al Alven on Apr 14, 2005 15:37:28 GMT -5
Awesome... thanks, Anthony!
It would be interesting to compile a list of celebrities or other famous people who have vacationed or lived in the Wildwoods over the years.
I'm sure there are so many. It was interesting hearing Bruce Willis be interviewed as part of the "Wildwood Dayz" that was first aired last year.
I would love to hear from other well-known people, getting their takes on what is going on in the Wildwoods today and hearing some of the great stories from yesteryear.
I am certainly not one to "glorify" celebrities by any means, but it would be cool if the Doo Wop Preservation League could attract a noteworthy spokesperson or two.
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Post by AnthonyV on Apr 14, 2005 19:52:41 GMT -5
Al:
I'll start that as a new topic ASAP!
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Post by FlyinGN on May 19, 2005 7:37:31 GMT -5
Yes Al, I saw that too. I never knew Bruce has ties with ww. He had a couple good stories too. Hell, I may have partied with him back in the day as we about same ages! lol Awesome... thanks, Anthony! It would be interesting to compile a list of celebrities or other famous people who have vacationed or lived in the Wildwoods over the years. I'm sure there are so many. It was interesting hearing Bruce Willis be interviewed as part of the "Wildwood Dayz" that was first aired last year. I would love to hear from other well-known people, getting their takes on what is going on in the Wildwoods today and hearing some of the great stories from yesteryear. I am certainly not one to "glorify" celebrities by any means, but it would be cool if the Doo Wop Preservation League could attract a noteworthy spokesperson or two. |
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