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)
Legacy
Buddy Greco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
We both know that it's wrong
But it's much too strong to let it go now
We meet every day at the same cafe
Six-thirty, I know she'll be there
Holding hands, making all kinds of plans
While the jukebox plays our favorite song
Me and Mrs., Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones
We got a thing going on
We both know that it's wrong
But it's much too strong to let it go now
We gotta be extra careful
That we don't build our hopes too high
'Cause she's got her own obligations, and so do I
Me and Mrs., Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones
Well, it's time for us to be leaving
And it hurts so much, it hurts so much inside
And now she'll go her way, I'll go mine
But tomorrow we'll meet at the same place, the same time
Me and Mrs., Mrs., Mrs. Jones
(Same place)
We both know that it's wrong
(Same time)
Everyday at the same place
(Same place)
We got a thing going on, you know it's wrong
(Same time)
But it's much too wrong
(Same place)
Me and Mrs. Jones
Buddy Greco's song "Legacy" is a poignant account of an adulterous relationship between "Me and Mrs. Jones." It is a story of two people who know their love affair is wrong, but it is too strong to let go now. The song speaks to the inevitability of desire and the emotional ramifications that come with it. The opening line "Me and Mrs. Jones, we got a thing going on" sets the scene for the rest of the song. The singer is in love with a married woman, and they both know that it is an unacceptable situation to be in, yet they cannot help how they feel.
The lyrics go on to describe the regular meetings between the two at a café, where they hold hands, make plans and listen to the jukebox playing their favorite song. They both have their obligations and are extra careful not to build their hopes too high, but the urge to be together is too strong. The emotional turmoil of knowing they cannot be together is palpable in the lines "And it hurts so much, it hurts so much inside. And now she'll go her way, I'll go mine. But tomorrow we'll meet at the same place, the same time."
Overall, "Legacy" is a touching song that delves into the complexities of human emotions, desires, and the often-inevitable consequences of acting on them.
Line by Line Meaning
Me and Mrs. Jones, we got a thing going on
There's a romantic relationship between me and Mrs. Jones.
We both know that it's wrong
We're aware that our relationship is not socially acceptable or morally right.
But it's much too strong to let it go now
The attraction between us is too intense to ignore or end our affair.
We meet every day at the same cafe
We have a routine and meet regularly at a specific location.
Six-thirty, I know she'll be there
I am confident that Mrs. Jones will appear at the cafe at precisely 6:30.
Holding hands, making all kinds of plans
We engage in physical intimacy and make future arrangements together.
While the jukebox plays our favorite song
We enjoy listening to the jukebox playing the music we both enjoy.
We gotta be extra careful
We need to take extra precautions to avoid getting caught or revealing our relationship.
That we don't build our hopes too high
We should not expect too much from our relationship as it may not have a future.
'Cause she's got her own obligations, and so do I
We have commitments outside of our relationship that are a priority.
Well, it's time for us to be leaving
Our time together at the cafe is ending, and we must depart.
And it hurts so much, it hurts so much inside
The separation from Mrs. Jones causes emotional pain and heartache.
And now she'll go her way, I'll go mine
We will have to go in different directions and resume our separate lives.
But tomorrow we'll meet at the same place, the same time
We plan to continue our rendezvous at the cafe the next day at the same time.
We both know that it's wrong
The social and moral implications of our relationship are still acknowledged by us.
Everyday at the same place
We frequently meet up and follow a fixed schedule.
We got a thing going on, you know it's wrong
Our romantic connection persists despite its inappropriateness.
But it's much too wrong
Our feelings for one another are too strong to ignore.
Me and Mrs. Jones
The singer and Mrs. Jones continue to meet in secrecy in pursuit of their romantic relationship.
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CARY GRANT GILBERT, KENNETH GAMBLE, KENNY GAMBLE, LEON HUFF
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind