Kenny Dino
Encyclopedia
Kenneth J. Diono, known professionally as Kenny Dino (b. July 12, 1939 - d. December 10, 2009) was an American
singer born in Astoria, Queens, New York.
Dino's family moved to Hicksville, Long Island in 1955, where he worked on a family farm. He joined the Navy in 1957, and while stationed in Iceland
he came in runner-up in a talent show
with his version of a song by Elvis Presley
. He sang regularly on his tour of duty, and then put together an ensemble back in the States, which toured in Texas
and Louisiana
. He frequently played with Doug Sahm
at the San Antonio Blues Club at this time.
He signed with Dot Records
around 1960 after moving to New York City
, but quickly lost the contract, and signed to Columbia
not long after. Dino was offered a chance to duet with Paul Simon
but turned it down, and later was offered the song "Suspicion
" (an Elvis Presley song, which later became a big hit for Terry Stafford
) but was denied the opportunity by his label. He recorded a number of demos for Elvis, including the song "Good Luck Charm
".
His lone hit was "Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night
", a #24 U.S. Pop
hit in 1961. Robert Plant
later covered this tune on his 1990 release, Manic Nirvana
.
on I-95 to his home in Cocoa and into the early morning of Dec 10th. He pulled over to the side of the road where DOT construction workers found him unconscious. They called the Florida Highway Patrol and paramedics, but Dino died from a heart attack around 1 AM, Thursday, December 10, 2009.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer born in Astoria, Queens, New York.
Dino's family moved to Hicksville, Long Island in 1955, where he worked on a family farm. He joined the Navy in 1957, and while stationed in Iceland
Iceland
Iceland , described as the Republic of Iceland, is a Nordic and European island country in the North Atlantic Ocean, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Iceland also refers to the main island of the country, which contains almost all the population and almost all the land area. The country has a population...
he came in runner-up in a talent show
Talent show
A talent show is an event where participants perform their talent or talents of acting, singing, dancing, acrobatics, drumming, martial arts, playing an instrument, and other activities to showcase a unique form of talent, sometimes for a reward, trophy or prize...
with his version of a song by Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
. He sang regularly on his tour of duty, and then put together an ensemble back in the States, which toured in Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
. He frequently played with Doug Sahm
Doug Sahm
Douglas Wayne Sahm , was an American musician from Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas, he was a child prodigy in country music, but became a significant figure in blues rock and other genres. Today Sahm is considered one of the most important figures in what is identified as Tejano music...
at the San Antonio Blues Club at this time.
He signed with Dot Records
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
around 1960 after moving to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, but quickly lost the contract, and signed to Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
not long after. Dino was offered a chance to duet with Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
but turned it down, and later was offered the song "Suspicion
Suspicion
Suspicion may refer to:*Suspicion , a feeling of distrust or perceived guilt for someone or something-Music:* "Suspicion" , recorded by Elvis Presley and Terry Stafford* "Suspicion" , a song by R.E.M....
" (an Elvis Presley song, which later became a big hit for Terry Stafford
Terry Stafford
Terry LaVerne Stafford was an American singer and songwriter, best known for his 1964 U.S. Top 10 hit, "Suspicion", and the 1973 country music hit, "Amarillo by Morning".-Biography:...
) but was denied the opportunity by his label. He recorded a number of demos for Elvis, including the song "Good Luck Charm
Good Luck Charm
"Good Luck Charm" is a song recorded by Elvis Presley and published by Gladys Music, Elvis Presley's publishing company, that reached number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 list in the week ending April 21, 1962. It remained at the top of the list for two weeks. The song was written by Aaron Schroeder...
".
His lone hit was "Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night
Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night
"Your Ma Said You Cried in Your Sleep Last Night" is a song performed by American singer Kenny Dino. It was Dino's only hit on the Billboard Top 40, debuting on that chart December 4, 1961 and peaking at number 24.- Doug Sheldon version :...
", a #24 U.S. Pop
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit in 1961. Robert Plant
Robert Plant
Robert Anthony Plant, CBE is an English singer and songwriter best known as the vocalist and lyricist of the iconic rock band Led Zeppelin. He has also had a successful solo career...
later covered this tune on his 1990 release, Manic Nirvana
Manic Nirvana
Manic Nirvana is the fifth solo album by former Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, released in 1990. Although the lead single "Big Love" was only a modest success, its follow-up single "Hurting Kind" turned out to be a major hit, reaching #1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart for six consecutive...
.
Death
On December 9, 2009 Kenny Dino had finished his second music gig of the day and was driving from Melbourne, FloridaMelbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
on I-95 to his home in Cocoa and into the early morning of Dec 10th. He pulled over to the side of the road where DOT construction workers found him unconscious. They called the Florida Highway Patrol and paramedics, but Dino died from a heart attack around 1 AM, Thursday, December 10, 2009.