Singing Was the Easy Part

by Vic Damone, David Chanoff

Vic Damone is one of the enduring legends of American pop music. His early days were spent as an usher who longed to take the stage at New York City's legendary Paramount Theater. On August 30, 1947, he got his wish when his first hit "I Have But One Heart" reached #7 on the Billboard Chart. Befriended by Frank Sinatra and encouraged by legends like Perry Como and Tommy Dorsey, Damone had one of the greatest voices ever recorded covering such Lerner and Loewe classics as "On the Street Where You Live" and "Gigi" while making other numbers, like "You Do", his own.

In "Singing Was the Easy Part", Damone tells the whole story of his life – and what a life it's been! A mob boss tried to throw him out the window of the Edison Hotel in New York City when he broke off an engagement to the boss's daughter. He was married to a string of glamorous women including the beautiful Anna Pierangeli and the tempestuous Diahann Carroll. When he got to Hollywood, Judy Garland gave him his first screen test, he got drunk for the first time with Ava Gardner at Chasens and he went golfing regularly with George Burns and Jack Benny. Oh yeah, there's also the story about how he took a nude chorus girl into the steam room of the Sands Hotel where Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr. and Dean Martin were relaxing between shows. All that - and much more - makes "Singing Was the Easy Part" a rollicking star-studded memoir from the great Vic Damone.

Genres: Music

271 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2009

About the author

Vic Damone was an American traditional pop and big band singer, actor, radio and television presenter, and entertainer.

Reviews

[Rosie Beck · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mostly bland book on Vic Damone's life. Some interesting bits (was EVERYONE in show biz connected with the mob in some way?). He seems like nice guy, terrific singer, and someone who wouldn't write anything negative about anyone.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book that explored the life of Vic Damone. I was really fascinated with his encounters with various mob people. If you are a fan of Vic Damone, you will probably like this book. If not, don't waste your time.

[Bryan Macklowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

For anyone who likes to read first-hand accounts about life in show-business, this is a good read. Damone tells great tales about such legendary stars as Sinatra, George Burns and others.

[Laurie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Look Back at Great American Singers

I wanted to read this book because I heard Vic Damone mentions my late father-in-law, Nick Sevano. He does, but much to my delight, this is an engaging and entertaining memoir about mid-century entertainment and performers.

I especially liked the chapter about Damone's love of golf and the people he played with.

Highly recommend!

[Janelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

a very good and fun memoit

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

boring man, boring book

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. I loved Vic Dammone's voice and this just made it more beautiful.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

LOOOOVE Vic Damone. It was very interesting to read a biography of him. I really did not know anything about him before this book.