This Week PHIL NEE Visits With GINO VANNELLI

Today we flash back to salute another one of my favorite radio artists. 

 

Gino Vannelli was born June 16th, 1952, in Montreal, Canada.  His first American hit happened in 1974 when People Gotta Move made the Top 40. 

 

He has recorded many different styles of music as the result of his influences.  Gino joined me on my WRCO radio show in 1998 and we talked about his early days.

 

Gino is best known in the U.S. for the Top 10 hits I Just Wanna Stop and Living Inside Myself.  While known as a singer/songwriter,  he is also recognized for his guitar work.

  

Several of Gino Vannelli's songs have been biggest in Europe. 

During our interview, I asked him about the tunes from his catalog that have gotten the most radio spins.

 

We have seen Gino Vannelli perform several times ... (he has always been one of Frannie's favorites) ... and even got to visit with him briefly on one occasion.  (After seeing his full blown show Saturday night, Gino came back and did a very intimate one man show, just him at the piano telling the stories behind the songs and recounting some of the most memorable events of his rather remarkable life.  Now THIS is a guy who should write a book!  At one point, he just decided to chuck it all, moved to Spain and essentially retired ... until the mood inspired him to start writing, recording and performing again.)

His biggest US hits are the aforementioned "I Just Wanna Stop" (#4, 1978), "Living Inside Myself" (#6, 1981) and "People Gotta Move" (#22, 1974) ... while "Nightwalker" (#41, 1981) and "Black Cars" (#42, 1985) also made Billboard's Top 50.

Back home in Canada, "People Gotta Move," "I Just Wanna Stop," "Wheels Of Life," Living Inside Myself," "Black Cars" and "Hurts To Be In Love" were all Top 20 Hits. 

Me, Gino and Frannie - 2013