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)
My kind of girl
Buddy Greco Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And her hair has a kind of curl, to my mind, she's my kind of girl.
She's wise like an angel's wise, with eyes like an angel's eyes,
And a smile like a kind of pearl, to my mind, she's my kind of girl.
A pretty little face, that face just knocks me off my feet,
A pretty little feet, she's really sweet enough to eat.
She looks like an angel looks, she cooks like an angel cooks,
And my mind in a kind of whirl, to my mind, she's my kind of girl.
Hmmm, pretty little face, that face just knocks me off my feet,
Pretty little feet, she's really sweet enough to eat.
She looks like an angel looks, and she cooks like an angel cooks,
And my mind in a kind of whirl, to my mind, she's my kind of girl.
Yes, my poor heart's in a whirl, she's just my kind, she's a girl.
And I'm glad.
The song "My Kind of Girl" by Buddy Greco is an ode to a woman who is truly angelic. The opening verse describes her physical appearance, with Greco marveling at the way she walks, talks, and curls her hair. He then goes on to note her wisdom, her eyes, and her smile, all of which are reminiscent of an angel. The chorus repeats the refrain that she is "my kind of girl," and Greco proceeds to describe further her physical attributes, noting her pretty face, sweet feet, and cooking skills. The song concludes with Greco stating that his heart is in a whirl, and he is simply glad to have found someone like her.
At its core, "My Kind of Girl" is a simple yet powerful love song. It celebrates the ideal woman, one who is beautiful both inside and out. By comparing her to an angel, Greco elevates her into a divine figure, someone almost too perfect to be believed. The song's upbeat tempo and catchy melody add to its charm, making it a classic example of the swing style popularized in the mid-twentieth century.
Line by Line Meaning
She walks like an angel walks, she talks like an angel talks,
Her gait and conversation are as pure and heavenly as an angel's.
And her hair has a kind of curl, to my mind, she's my kind of girl.
Her hair's natural curls accentuate her beauty and make her perfect for me.
She's wise like an angel's wise, with eyes like an angel's eyes,
She possesses the same intelligence and captivating gaze as an angel.
And a smile like a kind of pearl, to my mind, she's my kind of girl.
The radiance of her smile is as valuable as a pearl and makes her my ideal partner.
A pretty little face, that face just knocks me off my feet,
Her charming and attractive face gives me butterflies and makes me feel weak in the knees.
A pretty little feet, she's really sweet enough to eat.
Her petite feet are as delightful as candy, and she is a genuinely lovely person overall.
She looks like an angel looks, she cooks like an angel cooks,
She embodies the pure grace and skill of an angel, both in appearance and cooking ability.
And my mind in a kind of whirl, to my mind, she's my kind of girl.
My thoughts and emotions are in a mixed-up state of excitement and enchantment, and she is the perfect girl for me.
Yes, my poor heart's in a whirl, she's just my kind, she's a girl.
My heart is overwhelmed because she is precisely the kind of girl I desire and long for.
And I'm glad.
I feel happy and fortunate to have found her.
Writer(s): Leslie Bricusse
Contributed by Henry D. Suggest a correction in the comments below.