German orchestra conductor and composer, Bert Kaempfert, wrote an instrumental titled “Moon Over Naples” in 1964. He recorded it the following year. The tune was given lyrics by African-American composer, Charles Singleton. It was recorded by Al Martino in 1965 as “Spanish Eyes”. (Kaempfert and Singleton also co-wrote “Strangers In The Night” in 1966, a #1 hit for Frank Sinatra).

Jasper Cini was born in 1927 in Philadelphia. His first name was an Anglicization of his father’s name, Gasparino. His parents were immigrants from Abruzzo, Italy. His family were bricklayers. He worked in his father’s construction business. When he was still in his teens he joined the United States Navy. But during World War II he got a shrapnel injury and was sent back home. Next, he was inspired by his boyhood friend, Alfredo Cocozza, and hoped to pursue a singing career. Alfredo Cocozza later changed his name to Mario Lanza. Mario Lanza convinced Jasper Cini to change his name to Al Martino.

Al Martino’s fame got him on the radar of the Mafia. Two thugs from the mob showed up at the home of Al Martino’s manager. They demanded that the manager let them buy Al Martino’s contract. When the manager’s life was threatened, Martino recalls “he just gave them my contract for free.” Next, two thugs showed up at the 500 Club in Atlantic City. They beat up Martino and gave him a promissory note for $80,000. The note stated the sum of money was for “future earnings, the money we could’ve made off of you.” Al Martino signed the note and made a down-payment toward what he was ordered to pay to throw the mob off. Then Al Martino fled to England.

Al Martino was cast in the role of the wedding singer, Johnny Fontane, in the Academy Award winning film from 1972, The Godfather. He acted alongside Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, James Caan and Diane Keaton. He played the role of Johnny Fontane again in the 1990 film The Godfather Part III, and the 1992 DVD The Godfather Trilogy: 1901-1980.