From a musical family, his father was a big band musician. Gino Vannelli played drums at a young age and after finishing high school studied musical theory at McGill University.
In the late 60s, he signed to RCA Canada under the name Van Elli. He eventually went to Los Angeles, California where he signed with Herb Alpert's A&M Records after chasing Alpert down in the parking lot of A&M Studios. He released his first album with that record label in 1973. Gino's brother, Joe, served as arranger and keyboardist for most of his recording career. At a time when polyphonic synthesizers were non-existent, Joe overdubbed multiple parts to create a texture of sound that was largely progressive for the early 1970s. Gino's 1978 song, "I Just Wanna Stop," written by his brother Joe, earned him an American Grammy Award nomination and reached #4 on the Billboard charts and #1 in Canada. He won Canada's Juno Award for Best Male Artist in 1976 and 1979. Also, Gino and Joe Vannelli shared the Juno Award for Recording Engineer of the Year three times: in 1986 for "Black Cars," in 1987 for "Wild Horses"/"Young Lover," and in 1991 for "The Time of Day"/"Sunset on L.A.". Gino is also noted for being the first Caucasian singer to appear on Soul Train in 1974.
Vannelli's other hits include "Living Inside Myself" (1980) and "Wild Horses" (1987).
In 1990 Gino recorded the album 'Inconsolable man' and toured extensively for the first time in well over a decade. His 'Live in Montreal' album was released in 1991.
In 1993, Québécoise singer Martine St. Clair recorded "Wheels of Life" as a duet with Vanelli as well as a French-language version called "L'Amour Est Loi".
It was some 4 years since his last 'Live' album before Gino released one of his best albums ever, the heavily jazz influenced album 'Yonder Tree'. Issued in 1995 the album received rave reviews from critics and fans alike.
Never one to stand still in terms of style, Gino subsequently released his 'Slow Love' album in 1998. A collection of beautifully crafted romantic songs, slightly more MOR than his previous album.
We had to wait until 2003 for the release of Gino's 'Canto' album. A collection of classical and operatic songs which exemplified his compositional skills as well as his incredible voice. With a symphonic Orchestra he sings in English, Spanish, Italian and French. This album reflected an artist freed from the shackles of commerciality and one able to concentrate on just the music. The result was acclaimed around the world and proved particularly successful in Europe. From the album, Parole Per Mio Padre" (Words For My Father), was so loved by Pope John Paul II that Gino performed the song live at the Vatican in a televised event.
In 2006 Gino released a best of album but again not one to follow the norm, this album entitled 'These are the Days' contained many of his previously best known songs together with 7 completely new pop songs.
He has since released four more albums, the latest of which was released in 2019.
Gino now lives in Oregon with his family where he actively teaches music. He continues to perform across the country today.
Gino Vannelli's official website
Wikipedia entry on Gino Vannelli
Mardi Gras
Gino Vannelli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The london bridge kept fallin' down
I blew my coop and flew to new orleans
To feast my heart on higher ground
I wanna thank you for the love you bring
Louisiana is a song I sing
Me oh my I don't know what to do
But love you
A royal rascal smack dab in his prime
One billon blue doubloons and a single straw
In a royal flask of cajun wine
I wanna thank you for the love we made
Louisiana is a sweet parade
Me oh my I don't know what to do
But love you
I wanna thank you for the love you shine
Louisiana is a love of mine
Me oh my I don't know what to do
But love you
Oh mardi gras!
The song "Mardi Gras" by Gino Vannelli is a celebration of love and the beautiful state of Louisiana. The first verse speaks of breaking out of the monotony of everyday life and heading to New Orleans, Louisiana for a taste of something new and exciting. The London Bridge is used as a metaphor for the mundane and repetitive nature of life that often feels like it's constantly falling down. The singer promises to sing a song about Louisiana to show his appreciation for the state.
The second verse continues the celebration of love, thanking the listener for the love they bring into the singer's life. The mention of the "marshal frand of Mardi Gras" paints a picture of the fun and excitement of the festival, with a "royal rascal smack dab in his prime" leading the parade. The singer expresses their gratitude for the love they've shared in Louisiana and the "sweet parade" that is life.
The chorus repeats the sentiment of being unsure of what to do but loving the person they're singing to, while also shouting out to the excitement of Mardi Gras. Overall, "Mardi Gras" is a joyful song of celebrating love and life in Louisiana, with the famous festival highlighting the fun and passion of the area.
Line by Line Meaning
I broke the doldrums of my dreary dreams
I broke free from my boring, uneventful life and decided to pursue something exciting.
The london bridge kept fallin' down
My life felt like it was falling apart, and I needed a change.
I blew my coop and flew to new orleans
I left my old life behind and traveled to New Orleans to start fresh.
To feast my heart on higher ground
To find joy and excitement in something new and uplifting.
I wanna thank you for the love you bring
Thank you for the happiness and love you bring into my life.
Louisiana is a song I sing
The beauty and culture of Louisiana is something I cherish and celebrate in song.
Me oh my I don't know what to do
But love you
I may not have all the answers, but I know I love you and that's all that matters.
Voila! the marshal frand of mardi gras
Look, it's the grand marshal of Mardi Gras!
A royal rascal smack dab in his prime
He's a mischievous but charismatic and influential figure at the height of his power.
One billon blue doubloons and a single straw
In a royal flask of cajun wine
Celebrating with a vast amount of Mardi Gras coins and a single straw, sipping from a flask of cajun wine fit for royalty.
I wanna thank you for the love we made
Thank you for the love and passion we've shared together.
Louisiana is a sweet parade
Life in Louisiana is a beautiful and fiery celebration.
I wanna thank you for the love you shine
Thank you for the radiant love and joy you bring into my life.
Louisiana is a love of mine
I cherish and love the state of Louisiana deeply.
Oh mardi gras!
Oh, the joyous celebration of Mardi Gras!
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: GINO VANNELLI
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Joe Hagan
I feel so alone sometimes in my admiration and love of this cats music, he is so underrated and under appreciated..... then I read these comments and realize all you guys are all out there ......I have seen him in concert 8 or 9 times , met him & his brother Ross 3 times ....amazing .Never miss a chance to see him live .....
Glenn Dixon
Going to see him November 1st 2019 in New Orleans
Bobbi Wolfgang
You are very fortunate, bro.
Doctor Demento
If you're a musician... you know full well how great an album this is. It's a pinnacle album... never be ashamed of what you love. I've carried the line... and took a lot of flack from "mainstream" people for listening to him. I always give him credit and his musicians for the influence he had on me. He is much more complex than these idiots who claim to be in the know....I'm not a silent fan... I'm a FAN and always will be.
MrCatalysis101
You are not alone sir.
Carlito1988
I am another fan that has been there since his early days including his 'breakout' show in New Orleans which I even taped on cassette. An excellent singer, arranger, performer, etc!
Bobbi Wolfgang
Another one that was totally passed by! As a singer myself, this is one hell of a vocal workout and another Gino masterpiece!❣🎤🎼🎵🎶❤
ilovegoodsax
OMG!!!! I haven't heard this cut in decades! I believe it was this album that introduced me to Gino. Not a bad cut on it. In fact, there's not a bad cut on any of his albums.
Curtis Mitchell
This song sound like Mardi Gras!!! I Had listened to all of his work but, when he got to Pauper In Paradise you could hear how his artistry had evolved...fantastic!!!!!
musicomano6973
Desde La Paz, Bolivia, saludos a todos los seguidores del gran italocanadiense Gino Vanelli. Acá en las alturas también conocemos a este virtuosos de la música con temas como Wildest Horses o Wheels of Life.