In 1997, as he celebrated the 50th anniversary of his illustrious career, Vic Damone released a new double CD with OnQ Records titled Greatest Love Songs of the Century. Another highlight of this milestone year was his nationwide concert tour, which included performances at The Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and his annual show at Rainbow and Stars. The celebrations culminated in a symbolic return to Lafayette High School, where he had once studied. There, he finally received his long-overdue diploma, which he had missed out on after dropping out in early 1947 to take a job at Paramount Theatre. Read more about the life and career of the world-renowned musician and performer from Brooklyn at brooklynski.info.
Early Hits and Musical Beginnings
Vic Damone’s story begins in Brooklyn, New York, on June 12, 1928. Born Vito Farinola, he later changed his first name to Vic for a softer, more stage-friendly sound and adopted his mother’s maiden name, Damone, for professional reasons. From an early age, Vic was surrounded by music and love—his mother was a piano teacher, and his father played the guitar.
At just two years old, Vic learned to sing You’re Driving Me Crazy, often accompanied by his father. As a schoolboy, he began working as an usher at Paramount Theatre in New York City, which was a hotspot for big bands and major music stars of the era. Immersed in such an environment, it was only natural that young Vic dreamt of becoming a performer himself.
One fateful day, 1940s and 1950s music star Perry Como heard Vic singing in an elevator and encouraged him to pursue a professional singing career. The two would go on to become close friends, with Vic later naming his son Perry in honor of Como, who also became the boy’s godfather.
Before reaching his 18th birthday, Vic Damone was named the winner of the popular Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts program on CBS. However, it wasn’t just his talent that set him on the path to stardom—fate played a role as well. Behind the scenes of the talent show, legendary comedian Milton Berle heard Damone’s performance and was so impressed that he extended a helping hand. Berle arranged for Vic to perform at La Martinique, one of New York City’s top nightclubs, marking the beginning of his rise in show business.
Radio Debut and Early Success
Following his success at La Martinique, Vic Damone was invited to appear on WHN Radio, one of New York’s most popular stations. On March 9, 1947, he made his official radio debut as a guest on Gloom Dodgers, a show hosted by Morey Amsterdam. This appearance marked Vic’s first professional step in the entertainment industry.
Just a few months later, he returned to Paramount Theatre—this time not as an usher, but as a featured singer performing with Stan Kenton’s Orchestra. His career quickly gained momentum, and recording contracts followed. By the end of 1947, Damone had recorded multiple hits, including I Have Only One Heart and You’re Breaking My Heart, which catapulted him to fame.
Before he even turned 20, Brooklyn, New York, and the entire country had embraced this young singer. His records sold widely, he performed at prestigious nightclubs, and his voice was heard on radio and television. Naturally, the next step in his career was Hollywood.
Vic Damone’s Film Career
Damone made his on-screen debut in the lead role of Rich, Young and Pretty. This was followed by appearances in From Here to Eternity, Athena, and Deep in My Heart, among others. His cinematic opportunities were expanding, but his career was unexpectedly interrupted.
At the height of his early success, Damone was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served overseas for two years. Upon his return, he resumed his film career, starring in Kismet, Hit the Deck, and The Boat Destroyer before ultimately refocusing on his first love—music.
Damone then embarked on a nationwide tour, performing in concert halls and nightclubs across the country. This continued throughout his career, and by the 1960s and 1970s, he was hosting The Vic Damone Show on NBC, alongside stars like Judy Garland and Dean Martin, who had their own variety programs. His performances spanned the most prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall in New York, Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, and Kravis Center in Palm Beach.
His music took him around the world. In Brighton’s The Dome, he was featured on the BBC. He toured extensively throughout the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, always staying true to his calling as an artist devoted to sharing his music with fans worldwide. He also frequently performed with major symphony orchestras across the country.
In the 1990s, Damone unexpectedly found a new audience among Generation X, who purchased his CDs and attended his concerts. His final performance took place in Florida at the Kravis Center in Palm Beach. His career spanned more than five decades, but to his devoted fans, it could have lasted forever.
The “Sinatra of the 1940s”
Damone’s smooth and sensitive lyric baritone closely resembled the velvety romanticism of young Frank Sinatra, more than any other singer of his generation. Even Sinatra himself once described Vic as having “the best pipes in show business,” referring to his exceptional vocal ability. Critics often called Damone “the Sinatra of the 1940s with a touch of Mel Tormé,” recognizing his unique blend of vocal richness and control.
Though Vic Damone retired from the public stage, he never stopped singing. He continued to perform for his family, including his wife, four children, grandchildren, and close friends who frequently visited his home.
Damone was also known for his humor. Once, he pulled an elaborate prank on his friends by paying a Las Vegas showgirl to run naked through a men’s steam room where he and his pals were gathered. As his friends fumbled for their towels in shock, Dean Martin, another Italian-American superstar of the mid-20th century, calmly observed the situation, nodded in approval, and said, “That’s wonderful.”
In his later years, Vic Damone lived in Palm Beach, Florida, with his wife, Rena. He was a proud father to three daughters—Victoria, Andrea, and Daniella—as well as a son, Perry, and a grandfather to five grandchildren. He passed away on February 11, 2018.