Bay Ridge

Bay Ridge crooner sings tribute to Vic Damone

Legendary performer is 85

August 21, 2013 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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Vic Damone, whose silky smooth voice won him legions of fans who romanced their sweethearts to hit songs like “On the Street Where You Live”, “What Kind of Fool Am I” and “The Glory of Love”, turned 85 years old in June.

Damone, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, deserves a special tribute for his birthday, according to Martin McQuade, a singer who has become well known in southern Brooklyn nightspots for his one-man shows in which he performs show tunes and American pop standards.

McQuade plans to perform a special show in tribute to Damone on Thursday, Aug. 29, at Hunter’s Steak and Ale House, 9404 Fourth Ave., starting at 7 p.m.

“His links to our area are very strong. Vic Damone was born in Bensonhurst, attended St. Finbar’s Parish and graduated from Lafayette High School,” McQuaid told the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

Damone attended PS 163 and sang in the St. Finbar Church choir as a child. According to IMDB, he worked as an usher at the Paramount Theater as a teenager. His big break came when he won a talent contest sponsored by Arthur Godfrey in 1945.

Pete Sokolow will accompany McQuade on the piano as he pays tribute to Damone by performing such songs as “You’re Breaking My Heart”, “Ebb Tide” and “Again.”

For dinner reservations, call 718-238-8899.

McQuade is a graduate of New York University with a degree in Cinema Studies. He hosted a radio series, “Going Hollywood,” on WNYE-FM for many years. In 2002, he served as curator for Hofstra University’s conference on Bing Crosby, “Bing! And American Culture.” From 2003 to 2008 he served as a special events coordinator for Kathryn Crosby, Crosby’s widow, assisting her with the organization of tributes and retrospectives.

McQuade is currently a consultant for Bing Crosby Enterprises and has served as a production assistant for many of the company’s recent CD and DVD releases of Crosby’s music.

 

 

 

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