Buddy Greco was born Armando Greco in Philadelphia. His mother introduced him to piano at the age of four. At an early age he was singing and performing on the radio and during his teens in Philadelphia clubs. When he was 16, he was hired by Benny Goodman and toured worldwide. He spent four years with Goodman's orchestra, singing, playing piano, and arranging.
After leaving Goodman at the age of 20, he returned to nightclubs, singing and playing piano. He also recorded many hit songs in jazz, pop, and country music, including "Oh Look A-There", "Ain't She Pretty", "Up, Up and Away" and "Around the World". His most successful single was "The Lady Is a Tramp", which sold over one million copies. During his career, he recorded over sixty albums. He conducted the London Symphony Orchestra, performed for Queen Elizabeth II and with the Beatles.
In the 1960s, his career expanded into movies and television. He appeared often in the TV series Away We Go and had a role in the movie The Girl Who Knew Too Much. He worked with Ron Eschete from 1969–1970. The duo appeared in several TV shows, including The Mike Douglas Show.
Greco met Lezlie Anders while she was performing in Las Vegas. Their first meeting was when they stepped out on stage together, as she was a support act for him at The Desert Inn. After marrying, they worked and toured together.
In 1992, Greco began a thirteen-week act in Las Vegas at the Starlight Room at Stars' Desert Inn. This brought about his second big period of fame. The following year he was added to the Philadelphia Music Alliance's Walk of Fame. Shortly after, he toured Italy, France, Australia, and England.
While living in Palm Springs, Greco opened a small club. On the walls were pictures of Greco, the Rat Pack, and other celebrity friends, the room arranged by his wife. He often performed at his club, and it was a popular place for stars to dine before he closed it and moved to England.
Living in Palm Desert, California, he continued to appear at his club in Cathedral City, California, until it closed in August 2009. In 2004 he and his wife Lezlie Anders were headliners with the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies at the Plaza Theatre in Palm Springs, California.
Greco became acquainted with the UK in 1949. He spent years performing in clubs around England. He moved to Essex, though he still owns his house in Palm Springs, California, where he often spends vacations.
In 2008, Greco toured the UK with Anders. Together they performed with the BBC Big Band and played at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club in London. Greco was the first Las Vegas headliner to star at a British casino when he performed in cabaret in August 2008 at the Circus Casino, Star City, Birmingham. In April 2010, he performed a salute to Frank Sinatra for BBC Radio 2 with the 42-piece BBC Concert Orchestra. He toured the UK for over 30 dates from July 2010 with the Swinging Las Vegas Legends Show.
In 2010 Greco and his wife produced the stage show Fever! The Music of Miss Peggy Lee, which met with critical acclaim and opened in London's West End. The inspiration came from his wife, who was a friend of Lee. The show tells of the life and music of Peggy Lee. Greco plays piano and conducts the orchestra while his wife sings. The show received positive reviews and toured the U.S.
On New Year's Eve 2011 he made a guest appearance on Jools Holland's Hootenanny singing Fly Me to the Moon backed by the Jools Holland Rhythm & Blues Orchestra.
In 2012, Greco toured England in smaller venues, including Thameside Theatre Stage, and The Broadway in Essex.
In 2013, Greco celebrated his 80th year in show business in a concert in Southend, Essex. Stars such as the Rat Pack cast, Atila, Kenny Lynch, Paul Young and Michelle Collins were present to celebrate his career and also took part throughout the evening. Greco and his wife performed together.
Awards and honors
Inductee, Walk of Fame, Philadelphia Music Alliance
Appears in Encyclopedia of Great Musicians and the Encyclopedia of Great Jazz Singers and Musicians
Greco has been married five times:
Sally Baionno (1947–1962), divorced, 3 children
Dani Crayne (1961–1974), actress, divorced
Margret Kinley (1974–1977), divorced, 1 child Anastasia Greco
Jackie Sabatino (1977–?), 3 children
Lezlie Anders (14 April 1995–present)
'Round Midnight
Buddy Greco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Round midnight, midnight.
I do pretty well, till after sundown,
Suppertime I'm feelin' sad;
But it really gets bad,
'Round midnight.
Memories always start 'round midnight
When my heart is still with you,
And ol' midnight knows it, too.
When a quarrel we had needs mending,
Does it mean that our love is ending.
Darlin' I need you, lately I find
You're out of my heart,
And I'm out of my mind.
Let our hearts take wings'
'Round midnight, midnight
Let the angels sing,
for your returning.
Till our love is safe and sound.
And old midnight comes around.
Feelin' sad,
Really gets bad
Round, Round, Round Midnight
The lyrics of 'Round Midnight by Buddy Greco capture the pain and sadness experienced by someone who is reminiscing about lost love at midnight. The song begins by describing how the singer subdues his emotions during the day until it becomes unbearable after sundown, manifesting in intense sadness. The memories of lost love that plague the singer are always triggered at midnight and he cannot stop them from flooding his thoughts. The singer suggests that the love he previously shared with his partner was strong, but something went wrong, and they have been quarrelling lately. The singer expresses his need for his partner and laments the fact that he is out of his mind, implying that he is struggling mentally and emotionally because of the separation.
The lyrics reflect a strong sense of nostalgia and longing for the past that is deeply associated with the time of night when the mind is vulnerable and when subconscious thoughts and feelings are evoked. The singer hopes for a reunion with his partner so that their love could be just as it once was when it is safe and sound. The song's theme of lost love may resonate with many listeners, particularly those who have experienced heartbreak and disconnection in their relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
It begins to tell, 'Round midnight, midnight.
The feeling sets in, around midnight. The lyrics are talking about a sense of sadness, as though the night brings with it a heavy feeling that the singer is unable to shake off.
I do pretty well, till after sundown, Suppertime I'm feelin' sad; But it really gets bad, 'Round midnight.
The singer seems to be saying that they can distract themselves during the day but as the sun sets and night falls, they become more and more melancholic. They feel the worst around midnight, when the emotions are at their peak.
Memories always start 'round midnight Haven't got the heart to stand those memories, When my heart is still with you, And ol' midnight knows it, too.
The song seems to suggest that midnight is a time when memories of lost love are stirred up. The singer is finding it hard to deal with these feelings, even though they are still in love with the person they are remembering.
When a quarrel we had needs mending, Does it mean that our love is ending. Darlin' I need you, lately I find You're out of my heart, And I'm out of my mind.
The singer is questioning whether a disagreement is the end of the relationship. They are reaffirming their love for the other person, but are struggling with the emotional turmoil that comes from being separated.
Let our hearts take wings' 'Round midnight, midnight Let the angels sing, for your returning. Till our love is safe and sound. And old midnight comes around.
The song finishes on a hopeful note, with the singer hoping for the return of their loved one. They are suggesting that they will be waiting for them at midnight, when it is safe for them to rekindle their relationship.
Feelin' sad, Really gets bad Round, Round, Round Midnight
The final lines of the song reiterate the feelings of sadness and despair that come with the midnight hour. The repetition of the word 'round' suggests that the emotions are inescapable and cyclical.
Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Cootie Williams, Bernard D Hanighen, Theolonious S Monk
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joseph orlando
A fine rendition by legend Buddy Greco.