My father Joe Techner's only attempt to be a contractor in the music business came in 1954 for South Philly vocalist Joe Valino (born Paolino). My dad hired the musicians and studio for Valino's "Learnin' the Blues" and "Lonely Boy" on the Gold Star label.
In a November 15, 2000 Philadelphia Weekly article, Carmen Dee -- who my dad later worked for at Palumbo's -- remarked that Valino's career was damaged because he dissed Sinatra. The article goes on to try and figure out how this could be. Dee was quite right. Apparently the writer did not know the details that Valino's relative and I had discussed two years earlier.
On August 23, 1998, I met Valino's niece, Lisa Paolino at her home. I tracked her down through her "Timeless" CD of her uncle's music. Valino died in 1996 with no surviving children. Lisa had all of her beloved uncle's music and effects. We spent the evening together and then she told me what my father had told me years before. Sinatra heard the demo and sent goons down to Philly to pressure Valino to give up the song. Joe was beat up.
The public first heard the demo on the popular Grady and Hurst WPEN radio show in Philadelphia. They took it to Sinatra who said, "This is for me. It's perfectly suited for my style." Sinatra didn't have a hit for some time and needed a boost.
"They say when Sinatra heard it, he made it and Capitol had it out in something like 5 days," reported Betty Burtt of the Granite State Free Press (Lebanon, NH), May 12, 1955.
Valino's recording of "Learnin' the Blues" was hexed. The 2000 Philadelphia Weekly story was entitled, "The Sad Song of Joe Valino." It could just have well been called, "The Sad Song of Joe Valino and Joe Techner." My father had difficulty getting money from Valino to pay the band. Joe had to borrow from his father to pay the musicians. Joe then went to Local 77. With the union's pressure, Valino eventually paid.
In a April 9, 2008 City Paper article, Lisa said the recording was made at his mother's house but these were only unreleased rough recordings and I do not know if they have survived. My father contracted a studio for the Gold Star demo with the following: Joe Techner, trumpet; Jerry Gilgor, drums; Gene Kutch, piano; Vince Forrest (Forchetti) -- Trombone; Ace Tesone -- Bass. Sax was either Mike Goldberg and/or Al Steel.
My father was very much involved in the Valino recording. He and Valino went to the composer's home to listen to the selection played on the piano.
The song was written by Vicki Silvers, a Havertown housewife and mother listed as "Dolores Silvers" on the Gold Star record. She was known as Vicki Hollander when she won Miss Press Photographer of 1948. On March 31, 1955, The Philadelphia Daily News reported Dolores as 25 years old and the daughter of "Philadelphia's one-time great ragtime pianist" Arthur di'Tullio.
With this information, I did the following research that appears to be our Dolores "Vicki" Silvers:
The 1930 Federal Census shows that Arthur di"Tullio was an Italian-born furniture upholsterer living at 2119 Hunting Park Avenue in Philadelphia. His daughter Dolores was 1 year and 4 months old when the enumerator visited the household on April 5, 1930.
The Social Security death database lists a Dolores Silvers born November 7, 1928 with card issued in Pennsylvania. She died December 16, 2007 in Valrico, Hillsborough Co., Florida. Her age on April 5, 1930 was 1 year, 4 months and 30 days!
The above articles seem to explain why Sinatra sent reps down to muscle Valino. The Daily News article was entitled, 'Blues' Record Hit Dazes Young Mother' which stated, "The moment the word got out that Sinatra would record it, offers from music publishers poured in to Vicki. She turned down half a dozen before she agreed to place her song with Barton Music, owned by Sinatra, and managed by Ben Bartin, music business veteran and father of Eileen Barton, recording star."
My guess is that Valino wanted Silvers to go with another publisher in which he had an interest.
Sinatra may have also suppressed Gold Star. Betty Burtt reported, "Gold Star, which for some reason seemed in no hurry to get it out and around: my requests for it got nowhere."
Burtt suspected Sinatra interference. On May 13,1955, she privately wrote, "unless the Gold Star record was intended as a demo (of sorts) for Sinatra -- and with Mr. V.'s knowledge -- I think he got a raw deal and I'm still sizzling, - and I still think he has the best version..." This is from a note in Valino's scrapbook.
Thanks to Lisa Paolino for re-contacting me and sharing the clippings! She said Silvers lived in Ocean City, NJ but "spent time in Florida." She also said she found a music sheet marked "Gene Kutch 1954" showing it was originally "Learned the Blues." Silvers first copyrighted the song 2-24-55.
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Frank Sinatra - Learnin' The Blues (Original)by Nocaro7,074 views
prefer this version of learning the blues. ty for posting
latykai 4 months ago
@veemckain
My father was friends with Joe after WWII. He spent a lot of time with Jim Dadario and his brother Ralph. I have quite a few 45's from way back and Ralph sent me the CD, album, and some more 45's a couple of years ago. I remember Joe writing music at a table in our living room when I was about 10. I would love to hear from you. Thanks. RI Johnny (I use the nickname my father had in So. Philly sometimes)
pappabearman1 8 months ago
wow singing really runs in the blood of valino's
novalino18 9 months ago
My aunt, Dolores Silvers,wrote this song. I like the arrangement on this version.
zepp1977 1 year ago
Joe was the man.....a formidable talent at teh piano and vocals.....and in my opinion he would have risen to the top if it weren't for Mr. Sinatra....who squashed him as well as Bobby Darin any chance he got....too much of a threat for ole blue eyes. Joe died a bitter man. I had the pleasure of performing in a trio with him ...what a joy to work with. .different time...different place...a fading style of entertainment and entertainer not soon to be revisted. Some try....like Blube..not the same.
drummistic 1 year ago
@paolino1818 He is my uncle too..I grew up listening to him playing piano and singing...he always told me, if i trimmed down(I was a chunky child)) he would take me on stage with him..LOL!!
veemckain 1 year ago
@paolino1818 He is my uncle too..I grew up listening to him playing piano and singing...he always told me, if i trimmed down(I was a chunky child)) he would take me on stage with him..LOL!!
veemckain 1 year ago
Joey was my brother in law. It is just ashame he never got to see this....he would have loved it and so would his mom. Miss you Joey.
frglvr804 1 year ago
Hello! Your research and writing is excellent - especially for a YouTube posting - and we really appreciate it. We have a blog called WES BRYAN- MY LIFE IN MUSIC. Wes was signed to United Artists first, Joe soon after, second. We would like to e-mail with you about Joe, before we post on him, which was planned for appox. March 2010. Please leave your e-mail using COMMENTS (we will not post your private e-mail) Wes / Christine
P.S. Joe attended my recording of Lonesome Love for UA
CTNWB 2 years ago
He is my uncle.
paolino1818 2 years ago