Nino Tempo (born Antonino LoTempio; January 6, 1935) is an American musician, singer, and actor. He was a duet partner with his older sister April Stevens as well as the frontman for a 1970s funk band, 5th Ave. Sax.
Nino Tempo | |
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.jpg) Tempo in 1965 | |
| Born | Antonino LoTempio January 6, 1935 Niagara Falls, New York, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Family | April Stevens (elder sister) |
Biography
editEarly life
editAntonino LoTempio was born in Niagara Falls, New York (U.S.). A musical prodigy, he learned to play the clarinet and the tenor saxophone as a child. He was a talent show winner at four years of age and appeared on television with Benny Goodman at age seven. When his family relocated to California, he was featured on the Horace Heidt radio show, performing a Benny Goodman clarinet solo.
Film
editA child actor, he appeared in The Red Pony and in The Glenn Miller Story featuring James Stewart.
Music career
editHe was a sought-after session musician, working as a member of the famous session band the Wrecking Crew, also working with Elkie Brooks, and recording with Maynard Ferguson (Live at the Peacock, 1956). Via a Bobby Darin recording session, Tempo made connections with Atlantic Records and contracted with its subsidiary Atco Records.
However, Nino Tempo is known best for his 1963 duet "Deep Purple" on Atco with his sister Caroline (singing under the stage name April Stevens), which scored No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song won the 1964 Grammy Award for Best Rock And Roll Recording, selling more than one million copies and earning a gold disc.[1]
During late 1973, a little less than ten years after "Deep Purple" had topped the Hot 100, Tempo formed Nino Tempo and 5th Ave. Sax, which had the hit "Sister James," reaching #53 on the Hot 100 on October 27. Recorded at A&M Records studio with the backing, writing, producing, and arranging of Jeff Barry, "Sister James" became one of the first instrumental disco records to score the national charts. "Sister James" is often classified as an example of Northern Soul.
During 1975, Tempo played saxophone on John Lennon's album Rock 'n' Roll, and was a featured soloist on The Kenny Rankin Album (1976).
Voice work
editIn the 1980s he was a voice actor for multiple Garfield TV specials.[citation needed]
Discography
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2012) |
Singles
edit| Year | Titles (A-side, B-side) | Chart positions | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US AC |
US R&B | |||
| 1958 | "Loonie 'Bout Junie" b/w "15 Girl Friends" |
Non-album tracks | |||
| 1959 | "Ding-A-Ling" b/w "When You Were Sweet Sixteen" |
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| 1960 | "Jack The Ripper" (with Pete Rugolo & His Orchestra) B-side by Pete Rugolo, His Orchestra and Chorus: "Main Theme From 'Jack The Ripper'" |
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| "Lipstick On Your Lips" b/w "What Is Love To A Teenager" |
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| 1967 | "Boys Town (Where My Broken Hearted Buddies Go)" b/w Instrumental "Sing Along" version of A-side |
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| 1973 | "Sister James" b/w "Clair De Lune (In Jazz)" (Non-album track) Nino Tempo & 5th Ave. Sax |
53 | 18 | 78 | Come See Me 'Round Midnight |
| 1974 | "Roll It" b/w "Hawkeye" (Non-album track) Nino Tempo & 5th Ave. Sax |
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| "Come See Me Round Midnight" b/w "High On The Music" Nino Tempo & 5th Ave. Sax |
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| "Don't Stop Now" b/w "Gettin' Off" Nino Tempo & 5th Ave. Sax |
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| 1980 | "I Know Where You're Goin'" A-side by Tommy Dee: "Here Is My Love" |
Non-album tracks | |||
As sideman
editWith Maynard Ferguson
- Dimensions (EmArcy, 1955)
With the Modern Jazz Quartet
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 167. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.