S17E320: The Godfather of Doo-Wop: Vito PICONE's Legacy Unplugged

The Hollywood Godfather Podcast

GRI Entertainment

Society & Culture, True Crime, Tv & Film

4.7 • 811 Ratings

🗓️ 11 June 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode , Gianni and JEANIE welcome the legendary Vito Picone, a doo-wop singer renowned for his song 'Little Star' with The Elegants. As old friends, Gianni and Vito reminisce about their early years growing up in Staten Island, discussing their shared history at PS 39 and memories from local haunts like Moravian Cemetery and the Trio Club. The conversation covers Vito’s storied career spanning 67 years, from creating the hit 'Little Star' at age 16 to performing alongside legends like Buddy Holly and Johnny Maestro. Vito shares fascinating anecdotes, including the impact of his music on other artists such as Tony Orlando and David Johansson, and stories of his encounters with giants like Frank Sinatra.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	My name is Gianni Russo, aka Carlo, the infamous son-in-law from the godfather.
0:07.0	I'm now known as the Hollywood Godfather, and this is my story.
0:13.0	Before all of the wins in my portfolio, I was a little boy diagnosed with polio.
0:19.0	Experimenting with cures, I tried i tried everyone felt everything in my right but
0:23.6	my left was numb walking with a limp like will i ever run once again or is this it am i for ever done
0:31.5	living in the hospital was never fun some people were cool but not everyone welcome everybody it's time for another Hollywood Godfather podcast. And tonight, I am so happy
0:43.9	after so many, many, many, many, many, many years. This gentleman is a legend in his own right in so many ways,
0:57.5	but I met him when he just finished photography school.
1:04.0	Oh, wow.
1:05.3	And he did my first portfolio as a model,
1:15.6	and we went to Moravian Cemetery on Staten Island. Let me introduce Jeannie, first of all, Raymond, all co-host.
1:20.6	Hello.
1:21.6	I'm so glad.
1:23.6	And now, the legend himself finally got him on the show, Vito Bocone of the elegance.
1:32.1	I don't know about that legend situation, but I'll take it.
1:36.5	Hello.
1:37.1	You're kidding me or what?
1:39.2	How you doing, Jake?
1:40.9	Doing great.
1:42.1	And you're all over the place, show-wise. I mean, yeah, we've been busy.
1:45.9	I mean, it amazes me sometimes, you know, how it just keeps going on and on. I'm, it's 67 years
1:53.8	since our recording of Little Star. Wow. Seven years. And I just wanted to correct you because you said we met when I was going to photography
	...

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