1. Michael John "Jimmy" Roselli was an American pop singer and pianist.
12 Facts About Jimmy Roselli
1. 2.
Jimmy Roselli's mother died two days after he was born and his father abandoned him, leaving him in the care of his aunts and his widowed grandfather, Michael Roselli, who spoke no English.
3.
Jimmy Roselli grew up five doors down from Frank Sinatra, who was ten years his senior.
4.
In 1944, Jimmy Roselli joined the United States Army, serving in the 66th Infantry Division.
5.
Jimmy Roselli received his first break in 1954 when Michael "Trigger Mike" Coppola arranged for him to appear with Jimmy Durante at the Boston Latin Quarter.
6.
Jimmy Roselli had success with the song "Mala Femmena" on his first album Showcase: Jimmy Roselli.
7.
Jimmy Roselli's only charting pop hit was a 1967 remake of "There Must Be a Way", a song previously recorded by Joni James.
8.
Jimmy Roselli had success with the song "All The Time" that same year.
9.
In 1970, Jimmy Roselli refused Joseph Colombo's offer to sing at a concert that supported the Mob-controlled Italian-American Civil Rights League.
10.
Jimmy Roselli is a favorite among Italian-Americans and his signature tune "Mala Femmina" is featured twice in Martin Scorsese's Mean Streets.
11.
Later, as the influence of the Mafia waned, Jimmy Roselli's career experienced a resurgence.
12.
Jimmy Roselli died of heart failure in 2011 at his home in Clearwater, Florida.