For Julie's Fans

Share your experiences and comments about favorite

Julius La Rosa

performances

"The most under-rated singer in America"
-- said Ella Fitzgerald about Julius La Rosa

Please inform Mr. La Rosa that two of his ardent fans in Wilmington, North Carolina

are listening to his wonderful music on Time-Warner cable tv.

When Mr. La Rosa sings " I'm so Glad I'm not Young Anymore" we kvell because we are seniors who love the Singers and Standards station.

Mr. La Rosa and I-Phylis Abate- are the same age...and I remember vividly the morning the Arthur Godfrey fired Mr. La Rosa-ON AIR!!! Shame on him!!! He was not the most diplomatic of men to say the least.

Would Mr. La Rosa contemplate a concert in our area in the near future...We'd love to see and hear him perform...?????

Namaste'.....Gaetano & Phylis A., North Carolina

For some reason, Julie's name popped into my head. I see his schedule included last night in Staten Island. Still Active~! I wish I was there to see and hear him.

In 1954 I was a "pup" hanging around Indianapolis radio stations to "learn" the trade. Today they might call that stalking. Julie appeared at a remote from a car lot with Dick Summer (a Brooklyn Boy), who later went to Boston and fame. I was there to witness Julie's perspicacity. That Godfrey incident didn't seem to phase him at all.

You are correct in your summation that Julie's personality won everyone he met. I know first hand.

Thanks. Will M.. Indianapolis

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Wow !!! I know a for- real legend! For me, the best I can hope for is a short story or maybe a footnote?

Great review..........Oh how I wish I could have been there. , Irene"

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“'Julie' , during 1950, worked under my supervision in the aviation electronic's shop aboard a USN aircraft carrier.

As well as being a good technician, he was also a good friend, both to myself and to my wife. Mary often came aboard

on weekends, when I had duty, bringing "goodies" that she had baked. We all would spend much of the day playing cards

and "batting" the breeze.

We later met with him briefly, in the early fifties, when he came with Godfrey to Navy Memphis, for a benefit show.

Oh yes, he could still sing well! I heard him sing many times aboard ship for "smokers"

In 1960, I was on Navy business on the west coast. I was very proud to see his star on the sidewalk in Hollywood. “

John R. G, USN Retired

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“DEAR JULIUS, I SAW YOU ON PBS TV TONIGHT, AND YOU LOOK GREAT. I'M FROM SHEEPSHEAD BAY AND I REMEMBER YOUR HOUSE ON SHEEPSHEAD BAY ROAD. I WAS ABOUT 6 YEARS OLD, AND I REMEMBER YOUR FRONT PORCH WITH A BIG SIGN ON IT THAT BORE YOUR NAME. ONCE I REMEMBER SEEING A DEER HANGING ON YOUR PORCH, SO YOU MUST'VE BEEN A HUNTER. YOUR WIFE WAS MY KINDERGARTEN TEACHER AT ST. MARK'S SCHOOL.

IT WAS GOOD SEEING YOU, AND YOU SING WELL STILL”. JOE F. , Brooklyn, NY

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“Hi,   So happy to find this information !  Heard Julius today on radio station 540 AM –

from San Diego or Westwood Ca. on Jim Lowe show.  I  have often wondered where he has been

 all these years - I have a autographed picture of Julius which I treasure,  from the Godfrey days!

    Just wondering, "where can I write or emal to Julius today ? " would love to have an

autographed photo of  him  today - - I am an 82 year old fan, who loves the music of his career.

   thanks for this great site.  I live in Anaheim, Ca.  moved here from East Cleveland, Ohio

   40  years ago.    hope to hear from you as to how I can reach Julius.

   Thanks,”   Audrey N., Anaheim, CA.

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“It is amazing to see that Julius La Rosa has a website. I'm a great Frank Sinatra collector and I'm making radio shows in The Netherlands (Holland- Europa). In my next show I have a special about the songs of Rodger and Hammerstein. And, sure I'm playing one of Julius R and H songs.

I'm a big fan of Julius and I'm sure he's one of the greatest singers I've ever heard. A couple of years ago I was in New York and I was searching for Julius La Rosa-records. And -- thank God -- I found one.

The CD named Julius La Rosa starting with “Don’t go to strangers” and finish with “On the Road again.”

On the show I (will) play " I have dreamed.” And I'm going to tell a story about Julius.

So, I want you to know that even in Amsterdam,Holland, we listen to records of Julius. A great singer!!

Love to you and all Julius-fans,”

Henk verhulst

beethovenstraat 91 1e etage

1077 HS Amsterdam

Holland

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“I saw Julius La Rosa at the Milwaukee Italian Fest in July. My family and I thought he was fantastic! I would like to know when he is coming to Chicago. A good place for him to entertain would be Drury Lane in Evergreen Park, IL. Rosemary Clooney, Keely Smith and Vic Damone perform at this theatre.

Also, I wish he would sing the song "Domani" in his act. I have the love song on one of my CDs and it is a very pretty song.” Carol R, Riverside, IL

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"I found your e-mail address while looking up Julius La Rosa. I was President of the Juliettes, a Julius La Rosa fan club, Chapter 299, in the 1960's.
It appears that he is performing in the New York area. Could you give me any upcoming dates for him? From his website, it looks like the only thing happening is an appearance at the Italian Film Festival in February.
I would appreciate any information you can give me. Thank you. Carol T., NY

“Julie has got to be one of the greatest secrets out there. His stint as DJ with WNEW was a nice spell...that is until he was given a damn playlist...sounds of the times...his recent new two discs are simply wonderful (made a couple of years ago).” Dan Singer, NYC

"Yesterday I bought a copy of Julius La Rosa's first RCA album, at least I think it is the first one. I was astonished at how canny ("Ev'ry Time," "No Love, No Nothin'") and in some instances unusual---for 1956 or any time--- the selection of material was. Wonderful songs that have yet to get a decent hearing from other singers, La Rosa was recording nearly a half-century ago, especially "Don't You Know I Care" and Bob Haymes' "I Love My Bed."
My enthusiasm for La Rosa's singing, never exactly dormant, got a nice "bump" yesterday from the aforementioned "RCA LPM 1299." Right up there alongside his terrific Kapp album of a few years later, "The New Julie La Rosa." However, just about the only thing "new" about that one was the attempt to bill him as "Julie" as opposed to "Julius." Otherwise it was tasteful, swinging business as usual. One of my favorite albums. . .by ANYONE!
Earlier today I decided to see what I could find on the web in the nature of a site devoted to him. Imagine my delight to come across his "official" home page: http://www.citycabaret.com/juliusLa Rosa/juliusLa Rosa.html. Lots of good Godfrey dish, a nice bio, etc. Very, very nice. All that's missing is a decent discography.
After taking a look at some of Mr. La Rosa's quotes about song lyrics, including ones he DOESN'T care for, remarks about Harry Warren, Lorenz Hart (the "Coolidge"' anecdote), and especially his essay about Johnny Mercer, it's obvious that he takes his "words" very seriously. Small wonder, then, that even in 1956 he had already developed such a keen sense for repertoire.
It's no surprise that the likes of Ella Fitzgerald (Julius La Rosa is "The most under-rated singer in America"), Richard Sudhalter, Bob Harrington, Whitney Balliett, Rex Reed ("he juices the vitamins from each. . .tune"), and Stephen Holden have by inference, or in some cases outright, deemed Julius La Rosa the finest practitioner of American Popular Song. " Bill Reed on songbirds@yahoogroups.com

"I first became aware of Julius La Rosa at the end of 1951, when he became the featured singer on the Arthur Godfrey show. Years later, in the summer of 1957 he spawned my interest in Bobby Darin who I talked into recording his *"That's All" album following a string of Rock & Roll hits. Rock & Roll was never my thing. My (thing) was listening to Julie as he was developing into one of the most amazing interpreters of the American popular song.
Today, Bobby is no longer with us, but his music has left an indelible mark on the musical landscape of America and the world. As for Julie, fifty years later, like old wine his voice has improved with age. At an appearance in New York this past October 22, 2000, he put all curiosity to rest with his heartfelt renditions of some of today's popular standards. Julie is the master story teller of a musical generation."
Friend, mentor & publicist to Bobby Darin, Harriet "Hesh" Wasser
(*Bobby's "That's All album generated the Grammy-winning "Mack The Knife" single.)

"So glad to see the Julius La Rosa website. I've been a fan since way back." P. DeAngel, New York

"I just saw the Julius La Rosa web site, and I'm glad to see he is still performing. Hopefully, he will travel to California in the near future. I'd love to see his show again." M. Winer, Los Angeles, CA.