Kenny Dino
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Biography
Kenneth J. Diono, known professionally as Kenny Dino, was an American singer born on February 12, 1942, in Astoria, Queens. Dino's family moved to Hicksville, New York, in 1955, where he worked on the family farm. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1957 and participated in a talent show while stationed in Iceland, performing a version of an Elvis Presley song. During his service, Dino sang regularly and later formed a band that toured Texas and Louisiana. He also performed with Doug Sahm at the San Antonio Blues Club.
In 1960, after moving back to New York, Dino signed with Dot Records but lost his contract shortly thereafter and then signed with Columbia Records. He was offered a duet with Paul Simon but declined it. Dino's only significant hit was "Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night", which reached Number 24 on the U.S. Pop chart in 1961. The song featured backing vocals from Lois Green, Leslie Smith, and Alan Eichler, students at Syosset High School at the time. Despite subsequent releases failing to achieve similar success, Dino transitioned into acting, appearing in films such as Valley of the Dolls. On December 10, 2009, Kenny Dino died from a heart attack while driving home after a concert in Melbourne, Florida.
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