Star Al makes eyes with fans

Al Martino, alias singer Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather movie, is bringing his music to Dudley. He talks to

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Young singer Al Martino is standing in front of Marlon Brando desperately begging him for help getting a part in a movie.

Brando takes pity on him and agrees to talk to the movie's director. "It's too late, they start shooting in a week," says Martino. But Marlon Brando isn't fazed and calmly utters those famous lines "I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse".

If this sounds familiar it was one of the first scenes in the popular The Godfather movie starring Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone. "It was a thrill to work with the great Marlon Brando in The Godfather movie," says Al Martino, who played the Sinatra-type character Johnny Fontaine in the film.

"He is considered one of the finest actors in America, so my scenes with him were a wonderful experience and he brought me to my knees," he explained.

On February 17 Al Martino, who will be 80 in October, will be singing at Dudley Town Hall and says he hopes to learn more about the area. He said: "I have been to Dudley several times and always look forward to returning to the town. However, I have not heard about the Black Country before, perhaps I will find out about it on this next visit.

"I'll be singing the hits that I have been associated with, such as Spanish Eyes, Here In My Heart and Volare. I enjoy all the songs I sing and it is hard to say which is my favourite. Of course Here in My Heart is sentimental to me because it was my first number one record. It was also the first number one record charted here in Great Britain and because of that it is in the Guinness Book of Records - which I am proud of."

Al Martino, born Alfred Cini, made his singing debut 50 years ago in Philadelphia with the song Here In My Heart, which sold over one million copies. But the singer did not have the same help with his career as Johnny Fontaine did in The Godfather.

He said: "I supported my singing career when I was young by working for my father during the day as a bricklayer,"However, I had to get up early to go to work and then when I came home I had to get dressed to go sing. I didn't get much sleep in those days."

Mario Lanza, who was already a celebrity and a friend of the family, encouraged young Martino to pursue a musical career, and to move to New York. And by 1950, Martino landed a much sought-after record deal with Capitol Records, after winning the first prize in Talent Scout Show.

"Winning the talent show was a stepping stone for my career," said Martino.

"However, it is not like our American Idol TV show where the winner is a star over night. They are given record contracts and personal appearances that are guaranteed. We still had to struggle to make that happen. There were no guarantees, just exposure and then you were on your own," he said.

One of the most successful Martino hits was Spanish Eyes, achieving several gold and platinum awards for sales. In 1965, the song reached number 15 in the British single charts. Other memorable hits include Painted Tainted Rose and Living a Lie.

It was in 1972 that Martino landed the role of Johnny Fontaine in The Godfather and sang the film's title score, The Love Theme From The Godfather.