Charles Stephen Alaimo ( born December 6, 1939)[1] is an American singer who was a teen idol[2] in the early 1960s. He later became a record producer and label owner, but he is perhaps best known for hosting and co-producing Dick Clark's Where the Action Is in the late 1960s. He had nine singles chart in the Billboard Hot 100 without once reaching the Top 40 in his career, the most by any artist.[3][4]
Alaimo and Linda Scott on Where the Action Is, 1966.
Alaimo was born in Omaha, Nebraska, and moved to Rochester, New York, at the age of five.[5] He entered the music business during his time as a pre-med student at the University of Miami, joining his cousin's instrumental rock band the Redcoats, becoming the guitarist, and eventually, the singer. The Redcoats consisted of Jim Alaimo on rhythm guitar, Brad Shapiro on bass, and Jim "Chris" Christy on drums. After playing a sock hop held by local disc jockey Bob Green and label owner Henry Stone, the band earned a record deal with Stone's Marlin Records. In 1959, "I Want You To Love Me" became a regional hit for the band.[6] Green became Alaimo's manager, ultimately giving up the role to Stone. That same year, Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars came to Miami needing a band to back up artists, so the Redcoats became that band.
Solo career
The Redcoats broke up in 1960, and under Stone's tutelage, Alaimo became a "blue-eyed soul singer" with an all African-American back-up band. Alaimo and the group became the house band for a local club known as Edan Roc. Despite his rising local fame, he released two solo albums that did not earn him the national spotlight. During this time, Stone put Alaimo to work as a promotion man for Stone's Tone Distributors, which acquainted him with the music industry at large.
National recording career
Through his promotion job, Alaimo landed his first major record deal with Checker Records, a subsidiary of Chess Records, in 1961.[6] There, he struck a minor amount of gold in 1963 with his single "Every Day I Have to Cry," written by Muscle Shoals singer-songwriter, Arthur Alexander.[6] The record peaked at Number 46 on Billboard's Hot 100. The song was a top-five hit in Miami, on local radio stations WQAM and WFUN. Later that year, Alaimo left Checker for Imperial Records, and ABC Records,[6] but the fame of his recording career would soon be eclipsed.
TV host: Where the Action Is
Dick Clark proposed to hire the Redcoats again for his music program Where the Action Is, but the group had broken up. Instead, Clark hired Alaimo as host and music director. Alaimo took the opportunity to promote his own records on-air; however, he rarely had time to record new songs. Alaimo would also become co-producer of the program, which lasted from 1965 to 1967.
Music production and acting
After the show's end, Alaimo signed with Atlantic Records/Atco Records. In the mid-1960s, he began producing music for groups such as Sam & Dave, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, and The 31st of February.[6] Alaimo bought partial songwriting credits to some of Gregg Allman's songs recorded with the 31st of February. He is listed as a writer though he knowingly didn’t write a word or note of the songs. Only person Gregg Allman has publicly spoken negatively about. This became a very fertile period, with Alaimo producing many hit records.[6] He also briefly tried his hand at acting during this time, appearing in four feature films, such as 1967's Wild Rebels and 1970's exploitation crime drama The Naked Zoo, starring Rita Hayworth.[7] Most of his films became forgotten fodder, although Wild Rebels received renewed interest after being featured in an episode of TV's, Mystery Science Theater 3000.[8]
TK Records
In 1969, Henry Stone reunited with Alaimo, who set up Alston Records as an outlet for Alaimo's music. Alaimo quit performing to focus on running a record label. In 1972, Timmy Thomas hit with "Why Can't We Live Together" for Stone's Glade Records, which released the single in partnership with Atlantic Records. Stone then consolidated many of his labels under the TK Records umbrella with Alaimo in 1973, releasing records independent of the major label system.[6] In 1974, Harry Wayne Casey and Rick Finch presented a demo to Stone and Alaimo, and they advised having George McCrae sing the final version. The song, "Rock Your Baby", charted as a number-one single in 1974. Shortly afterward, the business partnership of Casey, Finch, Alaimo and Stone would achieve their greatest commercial success with the heyday of KC & the Sunshine Band.
Vision Records
TK Records closed in 1981, forcing Henry Stone to seek out Morris Levy for financial relief and forging a new partnership. Alaimo, edged out of the deal, had fallen on hard times. In 1987, Alaimo was back on his feet, forming Vision Records with engineering producers Ron and Howard Albert. Vision specialized in top-notch recordings for stars who had once graced Criteria Studios during the 1970s. The label also dabbled in the production and promotion of Miami Bass records, including artists such as Beatmaster Clay D.
Cast Your Fate to the Wind peaked at #22 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart When My Little Girl Is Smiling peaked at #27 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary Chart [9]
^Jones, Roben (2010-02-01). Memphis Boys: the story of American Studios. Univ. Press of Mississippi. pp. 156–. ISBN978-1-60473-401-0. Retrieved 22 April 2011.
^Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955-2002. Record Research. p. 10. ISBN0-89820-155-1.
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This biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification Please help by adding reliable sources Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page especially if potentially libelous Find sources Steve Alaimo news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2011 Learn how and when to remove this template message Charles Stephen Alaimo born December 6 1939 1 is an American singer who was a teen idol 2 in the early 1960s He later became a record producer and label owner but he is perhaps best known for hosting and co producing Dick Clark s Where the Action Is in the late 1960s He had nine singles chart in the Billboard Hot 100 without once reaching the Top 40 in his career the most by any artist 3 4 Alaimo and Linda Scott on Where the Action Is 1966 Contents 1 Early years and the Redcoats 2 Solo career 3 National recording career 4 TV host Where the Action Is 5 Music production and acting 6 TK Records 7 Vision Records 8 Discography 8 1 Studio albums 8 2 Compilation albums 8 3 Singles 9 References 10 External linksEarly years and the Redcoats EditAlaimo was born in Omaha Nebraska and moved to Rochester New York at the age of five 5 He entered the music business during his time as a pre med student at the University of Miami joining his cousin s instrumental rock band the Redcoats becoming the guitarist and eventually the singer The Redcoats consisted of Jim Alaimo on rhythm guitar Brad Shapiro on bass and Jim Chris Christy on drums After playing a sock hop held by local disc jockey Bob Green and label owner Henry Stone the band earned a record deal with Stone s Marlin Records In 1959 I Want You To Love Me became a regional hit for the band 6 Green became Alaimo s manager ultimately giving up the role to Stone That same year Dick Clark s Caravan of Stars came to Miami needing a band to back up artists so the Redcoats became that band Solo career EditThe Redcoats broke up in 1960 and under Stone s tutelage Alaimo became a blue eyed soul singer with an all African American back up band Alaimo and the group became the house band for a local club known as Edan Roc Despite his rising local fame he released two solo albums that did not earn him the national spotlight During this time Stone put Alaimo to work as a promotion man for Stone s Tone Distributors which acquainted him with the music industry at large National recording career EditThrough his promotion job Alaimo landed his first major record deal with Checker Records a subsidiary of Chess Records in 1961 6 There he struck a minor amount of gold in 1963 with his single Every Day I Have to Cry written by Muscle Shoals singer songwriter Arthur Alexander 6 The record peaked at Number 46 on Billboard s Hot 100 The song was a top five hit in Miami on local radio stations WQAM and WFUN Later that year Alaimo left Checker for Imperial Records and ABC Records 6 but the fame of his recording career would soon be eclipsed TV host Where the Action Is EditDick Clark proposed to hire the Redcoats again for his music program Where the Action Is but the group had broken up Instead Clark hired Alaimo as host and music director Alaimo took the opportunity to promote his own records on air however he rarely had time to record new songs Alaimo would also become co producer of the program which lasted from 1965 to 1967 Music production and acting EditAfter the show s end Alaimo signed with Atlantic Records Atco Records In the mid 1960s he began producing music for groups such as Sam amp Dave Harold Melvin amp the Bluenotes and The 31st of February 6 Alaimo bought partial songwriting credits to some of Gregg Allman s songs recorded with the 31st of February He is listed as a writer though he knowingly didn t write a word or note of the songs Only person Gregg Allman has publicly spoken negatively about This became a very fertile period with Alaimo producing many hit records 6 He also briefly tried his hand at acting during this time appearing in four feature films such as 1967 s Wild Rebels and 1970 s exploitation crime drama The Naked Zoo starring Rita Hayworth 7 Most of his films became forgotten fodder although Wild Rebels received renewed interest after being featured in an episode of TV s Mystery Science Theater 3000 8 TK Records EditIn 1969 Henry Stone reunited with Alaimo who set up Alston Records as an outlet for Alaimo s music Alaimo quit performing to focus on running a record label In 1972 Timmy Thomas hit with Why Can t We Live Together for Stone s Glade Records which released the single in partnership with Atlantic Records Stone then consolidated many of his labels under the TK Records umbrella with Alaimo in 1973 releasing records independent of the major label system 6 In 1974 Harry Wayne Casey and Rick Finch presented a demo to Stone and Alaimo and they advised having George McCrae sing the final version The song Rock Your Baby charted as a number one single in 1974 Shortly afterward the business partnership of Casey Finch Alaimo and Stone would achieve their greatest commercial success with the heyday of KC amp the Sunshine Band Vision Records EditTK Records closed in 1981 forcing Henry Stone to seek out Morris Levy for financial relief and forging a new partnership Alaimo edged out of the deal had fallen on hard times In 1987 Alaimo was back on his feet forming Vision Records with engineering producers Ron and Howard Albert Vision specialized in top notch recordings for stars who had once graced Criteria Studios during the 1970s The label also dabbled in the production and promotion of Miami Bass records including artists such as Beatmaster Clay D Discography EditStudio albums Edit 1961 Twist with Steve Alaimo 1962 Mashed Potatoes 1963 Every Day I Have to Cry 1963 Steve Alaimo 1965 Starring Steve Alaimo 1965 Where the Action Is 1966 Steve Alaimo Sings and SwingsCompilation albums Edit 1996 Hits and Rarities 1997 Anthology 2005 50s 70sSingles Edit Year Song US Hot 100 Cashbox Album1962 Mashed Potatoes 81 124 Mashed Potatoes Every Day I Have to Cry 46 451963 It s a Long Long Way to Happiness Don t Let the Sun Catch You Crying 125 126 Every Day I Have to Cry Michael 100 105 Gotta Lotta Love 74 941964 Love s Gonna Live Here Steve Alaimo Sings and Swings Fade In Fade Out Steve Alaimo Sings and Swings Happy I Don t Know 103 115 Starring Steve Alaimo1965 Real Live Girl 77 86 Steve Alaimo Sings and Swings Tomorrow Is Another Day 109 Cast Your Fate to the Wind 89 120 Steve Alaimo Sings and Swings Blowin in the Wind 139 Where the Action Is1966 Once a Day Steve Alaimo Sings and Swings So Much Love 92 72 Happy reissue Pardon Me It s My First Day Alone 1967 You Don t Know Like I Know 116 New Orleans 126 1968 Denver 118 1969 After the Smoke Is Gone with Betty Wright 126 One Woman 101 1321971 When My Little Girl Is Smiling 72 1011972 Amerikan Music 79 94Cast Your Fate to the Wind peaked at 22 on Billboard s Adult Contemporary Chart When My Little Girl Is Smiling peaked at 27 on Billboard s Adult Contemporary Chart 9 References Edit Alaimo Stephen Charles entry 1992 Who s Who in Entertainment 1992 1993 2nd ed Wilmette Illinois Marquis Who s Who OCLC 4778926389 Alaimo bio OCLC 25523584 all editions book ISBN 978 0 8379 1851 8 book Jones Roben 2010 02 01 Memphis Boys the story of American Studios Univ Press of Mississippi pp 156 ISBN 978 1 60473 401 0 Retrieved 22 April 2011 Whitburn Joel 2003 Top Pop Singles 1955 2002 Record Research p 10 ISBN 0 89820 155 1 Casey Kasem American Top 40 20 May 1978 Whitburn Joel 2008 Joel Whitburn Presents Across the Charts the 1960s Hal Leonard Corporation p 14 ISBN 9780898201758 Retrieved 3 June 2014 a b c d e f g Colin Larkin ed 1993 The Guinness Who s Who of Soul Music First ed Guinness Publishing p 7 ISBN 0 85112 733 9 The Naked Zoo 1970 Accessed March 11 2013 Beaulieu Trace 1996 The Mystery Science Theater 3000 Amazing Colossal Episode Guide Bantam Books p 26 ISBN 978 0553377835 Steve Alaimo Chart History Billboard Retrieved 22 June 2019 External links EditMclane amp Wong s Steve Alaimo Bio A collection of rare Redcoats singles and live performances Steve Alaimo Bio at Audio Vision studios Steve Alaimo discography at Discogs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Steve Alaimo amp oldid 1146051441, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
