He and Jerry Lewis formed the immensely popular comedy duo Martin and Lewis, with Martin serving as the straight man to Lewis' slapstick hijinks. Martin went on to become a star of concert stages, nightclubs, audio recordings, motion pictures, and television, and was also a member of the "Rat Pack". Martin was the host of the television variety programs The Dean Martin Show and The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts. His relaxed, warbling, crooning voice earned him dozens of hit singles, including his signature songs "Memories Are Made of This", "That's Amore", "Everybody Loves Somebody", "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You", "Sway", "Volare", and "Ain't That a Kick in the Head?"
Martin was born on June 7, 1917, in Steubenville, Ohio, to an Italian father, Gaetano Alfonso Crocetti (1894–1967), and an Italian-American mother, Angela Crocetti (née Barra; 1899–1966). They were married in 1914. His father, who was a barber, was originally from Montesilvano, in Abruzzo, and his maternal grandparents' origins are believed to be also from Abruzzo, although they are not clearly known. Martin had an older brother named William Alfonso Crocetti (1916–1968). Martin's first language was Abruzzese, a dialect of Neapolitan, and he did not speak English until he started school at the age of five. He attended Grant Elementary School in Steubenville, where he was bullied for his broken English. He later took up the drums as a hobby as a teenager. Martin then dropped out of Steubenville High School in the 10th grade because he thought he was smarter than his teachers. He bootlegged liquor, served as a speakeasy croupier, was a blackjack dealer, worked in a steel mill, and boxed as a welterweight.
As Martin's solo career grew, he and Frank Sinatra became friends. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Martin and Sinatra, along with friends Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford, and Sammy Davis, Jr. formed the Rat Pack, so-called after an earlier group of social friends, the Holmby Hills Rat Pack centered on Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall, of which Sinatra had been a member (The Martin-Sinatra-Davis-Lawford-Bishop group referred to themselves as "The Summit" or "The Clan" and never as "The Rat Pack", although this has remained their identity in popular imagination). The men made films together, formed part of the Hollywood social scene, and were politically influential (through Lawford's marriage to Patricia Kennedy, sister of President John F. Kennedy).
The Rat Pack was legendary for its Las Vegas Strip performances. For example, the marquee at the Sands Hotel might read DEAN MARTIN—MAYBE FRANK—MAYBE SAMMY. Their appearances were valuable because the city would flood with wealthy gamblers. Their act (always in tuxedo) consisted of each singing individual numbers, duets and trios, along with seemingly improvised slapstick and chatter. In the socially charged 1960s, their jokes revolved around adult themes, such as Sinatra's womanizing and Martin's drinking, as well as Davis's race and religion. Sinatra and Martin supported the civil rights movement and refused to perform in clubs that would not allow African-American or Jewish performers. Posthumously, the Rat Pack has experienced a popular revival, inspiring the George Clooney/Brad Pitt "Ocean's Trilogy."
Martin returned to films briefly with appearances in the star-laden, critically panned but commercially successful The Cannonball Run and its sequel Cannonball Run II. He also had a minor hit single with "Since I Met You Baby" and made his first music video, which appeared on MTV. The video was created by Martin's youngest son, Ricci. On March 21, 1987, Martin's son, actor Dean Paul Martin (formerly Dino of the 1960s "teeny-bopper" rock group Dino, Desi & Billy), died when his F-4 Phantom II jet fighter crashed while flying with the California Air National Guard. Martin's grief over his son's death left him depressed and demoralized. Later, a tour with Davis and Sinatra in 1988, undertaken in part to help Martin recover, sputtered.
Martin, who responded best to a club audience, felt lost in the huge stadiums they were performing in at Sinatra's insistence, and he was not interested in drinking until dawn after performances. His final Vegas shows were at Bally's Hotel in 1990. There he had his final reunion with Lewis on his 72nd birthday. Martin's last two TV appearances involved tributes to his former Rat Pack members. On December 8, 1989, he joined stars in Sammy Davis Jr's 60th anniversary celebration, which aired a few weeks before Davis died from throat cancer. In December 1990, he congratulated Sinatra on his 75th birthday special.
Martin, a heavy smoker, was diagnosed with lung cancer at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in September 1993, and was told that he would require surgery to prolong his life, but he rejected it. He retired from public life in early 1995 and died of acute respiratory failure resulting from emphysema at his Beverly Hills home on Christmas Day, 1995 at the age of 78. The lights of the Las Vegas Strip were dimmed in his honor. Martin's body was interred at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles. The crypt features the epitaph "Everybody Loves Somebody Sometime", the title of his signature song.
In 1996, Ohio Route 7 through Steubenville was rededicated as Dean Martin Boulevard. Road signs bearing an Al Hirschfeld caricature of Martin's likeness designate the stretch with a historical marker bearing a small picture and brief biography in the Gazebo Park at Route 7 and North Fourth Street. An annual Dean Martin Festival celebration is held in Steubenville. Impersonators, friends and family, and entertainers, many of Italian ancestry, appear. In 2005, Clark County, Nevada, renamed a portion of Industrial Road as Dean Martin Drive. A similarly named street was dedicated in 2008 in Rancho Mirage, California. Martin's family was presented a gold record in 2004 for Dino: The Essential Dean Martin, his fastest-selling album, which also hit the iTunes Top 10, and in 2006 it was certified "Platinum".
For the week ending December 23, 2006, the Dean Martin and Martina McBride duet of "Baby, It's Cold Outside" reached No. 7 on the R&R AC chart. It also went to No. 36 on the R&R Country chart – the last time Martin had a song this high in the charts was in 1965, with the song "I Will," which reached No. 10 on the Pop chart. An album of duets, Forever Cool, was released by Capitol/EMI in 2007. It features Martin's voice with Kevin Spacey, Shelby Lynne, Joss Stone, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Robbie Williams, McBride and others. His footprints were immortalized at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in 1964. Martin has three stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame: one at 6519 Hollywood Boulevard for movies; the second at 1617 Vine for recordings; and a third at 6651 Hollywood Boulevard for television. In February 2009, Martin was honored with a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Four of his surviving children, Gail, Deana, Ricci and Gina accepted it on his behalf. In 2010, Martin received a posthumous star on the Italian Walk of Fame in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Martin was married three times. His first wife was Elizabeth Anne "Betty" McDonald, (July 14, 1922 – July 11, 1989) of Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. Martin and McDonald married in 1941 and had four children: Craig Martin (born 1942), Claudia Martin (March 16, 1944 – February 16, 2001), Gail Martin (born 1945); and Deana Martin (born 1948). Martin and McDonald divorced in 1949 and Dean gained custody of their children. Betty lived out her life in relative obscurity in San Francisco, California.
Martin's second wife was Dorothy Jean "Jeanne" Biegger (March 27, 1927 – August 24, 2016), a former Orange Bowl queen from Coral Gables, Florida. Their marriage lasted 24 years (1949–1973) and produced three children: Dean Paul Martin (November 17, 1951 – March 21, 1987), Ricci Martin (September 20, 1953 – August 3, 2016)[15] and Gina Martin (born 1956).
Martin's third marriage, to Catherine Hawn, lasted three years before Martin initiated divorce proceedings. They had no biological children of their own but Martin adopted Hawn's daughter, Sasha.
Martin's uncle was Leonard Barr, who appeared in several of his shows. In the 1960s and early 1970s, he lived at 363 Copa De Oro Road in Bel Air, Los Angeles, before selling it to Tom Jones for $500,000 in June 1976.
Martin's son-in-law was the Beach Boys' Carl Wilson, who married Martin's daughter Gina. Figure skater Dorothy Hamill and actress Olivia Hussey were his daughters-in-law during their marriages to Martin's son, Dean Paul Martin.
Christmas Songs
Dean Martin Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos.
Everybody knows a turkey
and some mistletoe
Help to make the season bright
Will find it hard to sleep tonight.
They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys
and goodies in his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer
really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple song
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas to you.
And so I'm offering this simple song
To kids from one to ninety-two
Although it's been said
Many times, many ways
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas
Merry Christmas to you.
Dean Martin's "Christmas Songs" is a classic holiday favorite with beautifully crafted lyrics. The first verse begins with "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire." This line conjures up images of a cozy, comforting winter setting with an open fire, providing warmth and a delicious treat. The next line, "Jack Frost nipping at your nose" depicts the biting cold of winter that might make your nose and fingers numb. The reference to "Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir" clearly gives away the Christmas setting. The final line of the verse talks about the festive mood of people wearing warm clothes, also inspired and influenced by Eskimo clothes.
The second verse begins with "Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe help to make the season bright." This line speaks to the importance of a big feast on Christmas day, with a roast turkey being a classic centerpiece. Mistletoe, on the other hand, serves as a symbol of love and the holiday season's spirit. The line following that is "Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow will find it hard to sleep tonight." The eager anticipation of children waiting for Santa Claus to arrive on Christmas Eve is the theme of this line.
The following lines mention Santa's sleigh, laden with "toys and goodies" for all the children. The fourth verse speaks about offering a simple song to kids of all ages, from 1 to 92, to celebrate the joyous spirit of Christmas. The final lines offer a warm and traditional Christmas greeting - "Merry Christmas to you" - stated three times.
Line by Line Meaning
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
The singer paints a cozy picture of Christmas time, with chestnuts being roasted and enjoyed while sitting around a warm fire.
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Although it may be chilly outside, the allure of the season is still present as people feel the nip of Jack Frost as he makes his way around.
Yule-tide carols being sung by a choir
There's nothing like the sound of carolers singing festive songs to really create the ambiance of the season.
And folks dressed up like Eskimos
People are getting into the spirit of the season by wearing warm, cozy clothing reminiscent of those who live in colder climates.
Everybody knows a turkey and some mistletoe
These symbols of the season are familiar and ubiquitous, as people prepare for meals with loved ones and hang decorations to spread cheer.
Help to make the season bright
These things that everybody knows (turkeys and mistletoe) embody the festive spirit and work to make the season feel more lively and exciting.
Tiny tots with their eyes all aglow
Children are bursting with excitement and anticipation for the holiday celebrations.
Will find it hard to sleep tonight
The thrill of the season is keeping kids (and maybe adults too!) up at night, with all the excitement and anticipation going on.
They know that Santa's on his way
Kids are eagerly anticipating the arrival of Santa and his sleighful of presents.
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies in his sleigh
Santa is making sure that he has everything he needs to make children happy and spread joy and goodwill across the land.
And every mother's child is gonna spy to see if reindeer really know how to fly
Children are so excited about the idea of Santa and his reindeer that they want to go outside and watch for them, eager to see if the magical creatures really know how to fly.
And so I'm offering this simple song
The artist is giving a gift to listeners, in the form of a simple yet heartfelt song about the joy of Christmas.
To kids from one to ninety-two
The message of Christmas is for everyone, young and old alike, and the singer wants to share in that with all who are listening.
Although it's been said Many times, many ways
While the message of Christmas may be a familiar one, it still bears repeating and can take on new meaning each time it's shared.
Merry Christmas to you
The singer extends their heartfelt wishes for a merry Christmas to everyone who hears their song.
Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Merry Christmas to you.
The artist repeats their greeting, wishing Merry Christmas to all and hoping that the spirit of the season will lift everyone's spirits and make their holiday bright.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Edna Smith
Never another like Dean. Such class. So suave. What a voice.
Brendan. Greally
@Dan Uzo haha don't destroy the christmas for them. The people that know him know full well he was a fully paid mafia man and he destroyed many lives.
1olddirtroad
My 2020 Holliday ride to work music !
John Manderson
@Dan Uzo I’m not sure if you can find the full shows. Your best bet is to search YouTube for Dean’s various entries. Good Luck!
Dan Uzo
@John MandersonI'm not sure I've seen them .. Are they on the internet?
I'd like to see them ..
John Manderson
@Dan Uzo You are right Dan. Dean was Regis Philbin’s favourite singer. I also watched an interview with his manager who said he and Dean did business on a handshake and never had an argument in 25 years. Now that’s friendship. The Dean Martin tv specials were a joy to watch.
Christmas Carols
My therapist recommended this to me. When I'm stressed, I close my eyes, listen....I'm transported to November, the air getting crisp, people are kind and laughing...lots of cookies & good food, presents, cocoa, snuggles. It helps.
blitzer
Me too! Whenever I need a drink, i put on some Dean Martin 👍
Martino Petrella
See
Aimee Thompson
Dean was the coolest cat and I was driving to work stressed out; thinking he could help. He did and still does! PERFECT Example!