Julius La Rosa

Julius La Rosa (born January 2, 1930) was a pop singer, specializing in traditional pop music.

Related Topics:
January 2 - 1930 - Pop - Traditional pop music

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He was born in the borough of Brooklyn in New York City. After finishing high school, he joined the United States Navy, and sang in the Navy Band. He was heard by Arthur Godfrey, who told him that whenever he left the Navy, he had a job singing for Godfrey on his radio and television programs. Discharged on a Friday from the Navy, he went to Godfrey on the following Monday, and a week later he appeared on Godfrey's variety show.

Related Topics:
Brooklyn - New York City - United States Navy - Navy Band - Arthur Godfrey - Radio - Television - Variety show

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His tenure on Arthur Godfrey and his Friends lasted from November 19, 1951 to October 19, 1953. He was one of a number of regulars on the show, including Frank Parker, Tony Marvin, Haleloke, Marion Marlowe, The McGuire Sisters, Carmel Quinn and Godfrey's bandleader, Archie Bleyer. He also worked on other Godfrey shows during the week, and other engagements on weekends.

Related Topics:
Arthur Godfrey and his Friends - November 19 - 1951 - October 19 - 1953 - Frank Parker - Tony Marvin - Haleloke - Marion Marlowe - The McGuire Sisters - Carmel Quinn - Archie Bleyer

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When Bleyer formed Cadence Records in 1952, the first performer signed up was La Rosa. Cadence's first single, which was also La Rosa's first recording, was "Anywhere I Wander." It reached the top 30 on the charts, and his next recording, "My Lady Loves To Dance," was a moderate success, but La Rosa hit gold with his third recording, "Eh, Cumpari" in 1953. It hit #1 on the Cash Box chart and #2 on the Billboard chart, and La Rosa got an award as the best new male vocalist of 1953.

Related Topics:
Cadence Records - 1952 - Anywhere I Wander - My Lady Loves To Dance - Eh, Cumpari - 1953 - Cash Box - Billboard

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Then that October, right after La Rosa had finished singing "Manhattan" on Arthur Godfrey and his Friends, Godfrey fired him on the air. Apparently one of the reasons was that La Rosa had hired his own manager; rumors existed that La Rosa was also on Godfrey's negative list because of jealousy: he was dating Dorothy McGuire (of the McGuire Sisters) and Godfrey was fond of her.

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The firing did not hurt La Rosa, however: right afterwards, "Eh, Cumpari" became a major hit, followed by "Domani."

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Eventually he moved on to disk jockeying and acting.

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