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Ronnie Gaylord

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Ronnie Gaylord
Two men in suits and bowties smile and pose, with Ronnie Gaylord leaning above Burt Holiday. There is a small yellow box in the bottom corner identifying them as The Gaylords.
Gaylord (top) and partner Burt Holiday in 1960
Personal details
Born
Ronald L. Fredianelli

(1930-06-12)June 12, 1930
Detroit, Michigan, USA
Died January 25, 2004(2004-01-25) (aged 73)
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Ronnie Gaylord (born Ronald Fredianelli; June 12, 1930, Detroit—January 25, 2004, Las Vegas) was an Italian-American musician, songwriter, pantomimer, and comedian best known as a member of the band The Gaylords and the music/comedy duo Gaylord and Holiday.[1][2] Among their many hits are "Tell Me You're Mine," "From the Vine Came the Grape," and "The Little Shoemaker."[1][3][4] He adopted the stage name Ronnie Gaylord in the 1950s after going by Ronnie Vincent for a brief period.[5]

Biography[]

Early life[]

Gaylord was born Ronald L. "Ronnie" Fredianelli on June 12, 1930 in Detroit to Joseph and Florence (née Antico) Fredianelli.[6][7][8][9][10] His mother died of pulmonary tuberculosis in 1932; his father remarried Frances (née Graziana) in 1937.[7][11][12] Gaylord is Italian on both sides:[1][3][13] his father was born in Boveglio[14] and his mother's parents were from Naples.[7] Gaylord grew up in the same east side Detroit neighborhood as Bonaldo Bonaldi (later known as Burt Holiday),[4][15] purportedly his cousin,[16] and they both attended the University of Detroit Mercy to study pre-law.[13] In 1947, while still students, Bonaldi and Gaylord (then still known as Fredanelli) formed a musical group called the Gay Lords with classmate Don Rae.[4][17] They performed on campus and in clubs around Detroit; a newspaper misprinted their name from the Gay Lords to the Gaylords, which they took on.[4][15][17] Gaylord finished two years of law school before quitting to tour with the band.[8][18]

Career[]

The first hit by the Gaylords was "Tell Me You're Mine" which hit #2 on the music charts upon its release in 1952.[9] The record sold more than 1.2 million copies and was a gold record.[19][20] This was an Italian love song, "Per un Bacio d'Amore," with English lyrics written by the band and "an upbeat chorus."[19] Singing popular Italian songs in English, and popular English songs in Italian, continued to be a part of the Gaylords' style throughout their career.[4][20][21]

Not long after, Gaylord was drafted into the Korean War; he finished basic at Camp Atterbury and was subsequently assigned to the Special Services.[1][6][10][22] He sang with the military band, did a number of singing commercials, and continued to produce music as a solo artist for Mercury Records.[6][10][13][17] His hit song "Cuddle Me" was in the Billboard Top 20 Singles between March and May 1954.[6][23] He guest starred on the Army-sponsored radio show Club 31 and, in addition to "Cuddle Me," recorded "Coquette" and "Tell Me You Love Me Tonight."[17][24]

He was discharged from the military in 1958 and returned to the Gaylords, where he had been temporarily replaced by Billy Christ.[2][10][16] After a brief split between Gaylord and Holiday, they reunited and began rebuilding the band to its success before the war.[1][6][16][22] The following year, Bonaldi and Gaylord moved to Nevada together to work on the lounge circuit, a gig that was quite popular at the time.[4][25][26] In the 1960s, they began billing as both a music and comedy duo.[15] Their sets variously included poking fun at the city (when they were traveling); taking up stereotypical Italian personas and putting them in improbable situations; and impressions of other musicians, including The Mills Brothers, Elvis Presley, and Sonny and Cher.[1][15][19][27] Gaylord wrote "I'll Trade You Laughter For Love" for fellow lounge circuit performer Don Rickles, who eventually used the song as his "theme song."[4] In 1966, they performed at Frank Sinatra's wedding to Mia Farrow.[28] Rae, who had been an accompanying part of the Gaylords for several years, officially left the band in 1975.[9] In the 1960s and 1970s, Gaylord appeared on a number of while the genre was at its peak, most of the time with Holiday but at times on his own.[19] These appearances include The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,[3] The Hollywood Palace,[22] Moving Wheels,[1] The Johnny Carson Show,[22] Headline Hunters,[5] Melodies and Money,[19] The Flip Wilson Show,[25] Jukebox Jury,[29] and The Ford Show.[18] In 1965, the two were working on a pilot for their own TV show, but it never came to fruition.[22] In 1985, they created Famiglia, described by Holiday as "an Italian Fiddler on the Roof", written by Gaylord.[19] The film was eventually converted into a musical for stage.[30] It follows the lives of a three-generation Italian family, starring Gaylord as the middle generation; Holiday as his father; and Gaylord's son Tony as his son.[30] His wife Terry and son Ron Jr. also appear.[30]

In addition to playing guitar, violin, bass, banjo, and mandolin, Gaylord was a talented songwriter who wrote a number of hits,[1][10] including "Cuddle Me" (performed by Gaylord);[31] "Oh, Am I Lonely?" (performed by Gaylord);[31] "I'll Trade You Laughter For Love" (performed by Don Rickles);[4] "I Will Never Pass This Way Again" (performed by Glen Campbell),[30] and "Wondering!" (performed by The Gaylords).[32]

Gaylord continued performing until the end; his last gig was in Michigan just four months before his death in January 2004.[6]

Personal life[]

Gaylord stayed in the Las Vegas/Reno area from the time he and Holiday moved there in 1959 until his death.[15][18][19][25] He had two children, Ronald Jr. and Melissa, with his first wife, Teena,[8][33] and three, Chris, Tony, and Tiffany, with his second wife, Terry, who he was with for 35 years.[6][25][28]

Four of five children are or were involved in show business.[30] Tony was the guitarist for Third Eye Blind until 2010[10][34] and previously played with heavy metal band Apocrypha and cover band Loveshack;[6][30] Tiffany sang at Texas Station with Loveshack and at MGM Grand Las Vegas with Venus;[10] Ron Jr. filled his father's role in Gaylord and Holiday;[9][35] and Chris is a musician.[36] Melissa, his eldest daughter, is a teacher.[37] He was also survived by his grandchildren Jaime Fredianelli-Lessig[38] and Joseph Fredianelli, and great-grandchildren Jared Phillips and Kaylee Lessig.[6] When not performing, Gaylord enjoyed painting, sketching, sculpting, and collecting cars.[6][39]

Gaylord died on January 25, 2004 in his Las Vegas home following an eight-year battle with cancer.[6][10][26] He hid his diagnosis from everyone, including his wife Terry and partner Burt, for as long as he could so he could continue performing.[6]

References[]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Shane, Maxine F. (1971-04-02). "Reno-based comedy act may get major tv break". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. https://www.newspapers.com/image/150665130/. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Old Italian song put Gaylords at the top". Dayton Daily News. Dayton, OH. 1954-02-21. https://www.newspapers.com/image/402177415/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Farnan, Jackie (1976-06-10). "Good blend of music, comedy". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, NY. https://www.newspapers.com/image/136946660/. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Phillips, Perry (1987-10-06). "Night Sounds". Oakland Tribune. Oakland, CA. https://www.newspapers.com/image/758424278/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Vocal group on TV show". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI. 1953-12-12. https://www.newspapers.com/image/98370605/. 
  6. ↑ 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 6.11 Hartman, Forrest (2004-01-27). "Nevada showroom singer dies at 73". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. https://www.newspapers.com/image/149876213/. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Florence Fredianelli in the Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952". Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics. 1932. https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=60872&h=394600&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=9093. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Popular singer trains at camp". The Franklin Evening Star. Franklin, IN. https://www.newspapers.com/image/95909209/. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Betts, Graham. Motown Encyclopedia. p. 42. //books.google.com/books?id=RG_LAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA42. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 10.6 10.7 Rawlyk, Heather; Koch, Ed (2004-01-28). "Fredianelli, founder of Gaylords, dies". Las Vegas Sun. https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/jan/28/fredianelli-founder-of-gaylords-dies/. 
  11. ↑ "Fredianelli". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI. 2000-02-04. https://www.newspapers.com/image/100087068/. 
  12. ↑ "Mr Joseph Fredianelli in the Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952". Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics. 1937. https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=9093&h=1177859&ssrc=pt&tid=179965783&pid=192341965836&usePUB=true. 
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 Blum, Walter (1963-12-22). "The whacky songs of two paisanos". The San Francisco Examiner. San Francisco, CA. https://www.newspapers.com/image/458713459/. 
  14. ↑ "Joseph Anthony Fredianelli in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947". U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. 1940. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/268512490:2238?ssrc=pt&tid=179965783&pid=192341965836. 
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 Morgan, Cynthia L. (1975-08-09). "Comedy duo drawing on area humor". The Kansas City Times. Kansas City, MO. https://www.newspapers.com/image/676727050/. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 Kleiner, Dick (1953-06-24). "The Marquee". The Pomona Progress Bulletin. Pomona, CA. https://www.newspapers.com/image/623619373/. 
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Freers, Jackie (1953-06-24). "Pvt. Ronnie Gaylord waxes hits on passes". The Indianapolis News. Indianapolis, IN. https://www.newspapers.com/image/311419077/. 
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Barnard, Ken (1962-12-07). "What's in a name? Not the Gaylords". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI. https://www.newspapers.com/image/98638657/. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 Masullo, Robert (1986-06-23). "Movie project, tape put spotlight on Gaylords". The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, CA. https://www.newspapers.com/image/622539807/. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Gaylord & Holiday provide 'perfect blend' at Harvey's". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. 1964-02-07. https://www.newspapers.com/image/151446792. 
  21. ↑ "Six acts featured at Wagon Wheel, Tahoe". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. 1961-06-16. https://www.newspapers.com/image/149781060/. 
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 "Gaylord and Holiday at Harvey's Pavilion". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. 1965-11-12. https://www.newspapers.com/image/148258385. 
  23. ↑ McAleer, Dave. The Book of Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts from 1954 to the Present Day. //books.google.com/books?id=Li2Aili31pcC. 
  24. ↑ Green, Ann (1953-06-29). "Entirely Personal". The Republic. Columbus, IN. https://www.newspapers.com/image/129005573/. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 Kohn, Martin F. (1999-05-18). "'Sunshine Boys' really live the part". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI. https://www.newspapers.com/image/100057564/. 
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Spencer, Harry (2004-01-30). "Memory". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. https://www.newspapers.com/image/149885221. 
  27. ↑ "Six groups featured at Wagon Wheel". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. 1961-06-02. https://www.newspapers.com/image/149731396/. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 "Lords of Las Vegas: With more than 50 years of experience, Gaylords have seen it all". Las Vegas Sun. 2003-01-14. https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/jan/14/lords-of-las-vegas-with-more-than-50-years-of-expe/. 
  29. ↑ "TV Magie". Valley Times. North Hollywood, CA. 1954-03-13. https://www.newspapers.com/image/580405059/. 
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 30.2 30.3 30.4 30.5 Pinchot, Joe (1998-07-23). "Gaylord’s autobiographical show is really a musical ‘Famiglia’ affair". The Herald. http://www2.sharonherald.com/localnews/recentnews/9807/ln072398i.html. 
  31. ↑ Trulock, Harold (1953-10-22). "Mariners set sail with 'Mama'". The Indianapolis News. Indianapolis, IN. https://www.newspapers.com/image/311445174. 
  32. ↑ "A membership luncheon". Nevada State Journal. Reno, NV. https://www.newspapers.com/image/79040219/. 
  33. ↑ Gardner, Eriq (2013-10-22). "Third Eye Blind Ordered to Pay $448K to Former Guitarist". Hollywood Reporter. https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/third-eye-blind-ordered-pay-650001/. 
  34. ↑ Jackson, Dana (2006-11-05). "The Gaylords do music, comedy". Detroit Free Press. Detroit, MI. https://www.newspapers.com/image/363456571/. 
  35. ↑ Seabaugh (2012-01-07). "SPARKLE … DIM … AND FADE TO BLACK". Las Vegas Weekly. https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2008/jul/10/sparkle-dim-and-fade-black/. 
  36. ↑ "Runners-up". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. 2000-05-28. https://www.newspapers.com/image/149403460/. 
  37. ↑ "Marriage licenses". Reno Gazette-Journal. Reno, NV. 2002-04-21. https://www.newspapers.com/image/150317906/. 
  38. ↑ Wasserman, Jack (1963-06-26). "Reporter's notebook". The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, BC. https://www.newspapers.com/image/491919494/. 
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