From: BuzzK871~ol.com Date: Sun, 27 Oct 1996 18:45:04 -0500 Subject: AL FIORE
Date: Sunday, October 27, 1996 Source: By Carolyn Starks, Tribune Staff Writer. Section: METRO CHICAGO Parts: 4 Copyright Chicago Tribune
ALBERT FIORENTINO; SCORED '47 HIT WITH HARMONICATS
Albert Fiorentino, a member of the Harmonicats, a harmonica trio whose 1947 rendition of "Peg o' My Heart" sold 20 million records, died Friday. He was 73. Mr. Fiorentino, who was born in Chicago, began playing the harmonica at a young age after he discovered a Marine Band, a type of harmonica, in his brother's dresser. From then, he played endlessly and eventually hooked up with Don Les and Jerry Murad to form the Harmonicats. Mr. Fiorentino soon became known as Al Fiore to his fans. The group's big break came in Helsing's Vodvil Lounge on Chicago's North Side, where the trio appeared with an unknown comedian named George Goebel. With the guidance of a record producer who caught their act, the Harmonicats' rendition of "Peg o' My Heart" remained No. 1 on Billboard's music chart for 26 weeks. It wasn't long before the trio was traveling the world. The Harmonicats became the opening or closing act for such big-name stars as Bob Hope, Perry Como and Ella Fitzgerald. Mr. Fiorentino continued in his craft for years after the Harmonicats and became co-founder and musical director of the Windy City Harmonica Club. He owned more than a dozen antique harmonicas. In recent interviews, Mr. Fiorentino calculated that he had played "Peg o' My Heart" 48,180 times. "No wonder my lips are sore," he joked. Survivors include his wife, Mary; two daughters, Diane Petrini and Patricia; a son, Albert; and two grandchildren. Mass will be said at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in Christ the King Catholic Church, 1501 S. Main St., Lombard. Keywords: OBITUARY Document ID: S63010b8
