Bill Farrell (singer)
William Angelo Fiorelli, better known as Bill Farrell, was a Cleveland-born recording artist in the 1950s on the MGM, Mercury Records and TEL record labels.
In 1947, Bob Hope was in a night club in Buffalo, New York and saw Farrell perform. Hope, impressed with Farrell's powerful baritone voice and smooth delivery, invited Farrell to Hollywood. Hope featured him on his weekly radio show with Doris Day and Les Brown and his Orchestra.
MGM released "Shrimp Boats" b/w "Cry" in October 1951 on the 45-rpm disc K11113.
This particular 45rpm was issued shortly after the decision was made to make available 45 rpm records available to the general public, and to discontinue 78rpm records in favor of the size, weight and packaging.
TEL released "If" b/w "You Were Only Fooling" in late 1951 on the 45 rpm disc C1000.
This was the first 45rpm single released by a division of United Telefilm Records, Inc.
Farrell enjoyed minor hits with his recordings of "Circus" ; "It Isn't Fair" ; and "My Heart Cries for You".
Larry Ellman hired Farrell in 1961 to lead sing-along sessions in his restaurant The Cattleman on Lexington Avenue, in New York City, every evening from 9 until 2 a.m. These were successful, and brought a 20% increase in sales for the restaurant in the first few months.
Farrell died on June 30, 2007, at the age of 81, in Rancho Mirage, California.
Discography
Lush Life Maybe This Time Sings Favorite Concertos- "Shrimp Boats" / "Cry"
- "You've Changed" / "And It Still Goes" 78rpm
- "Am I Blue?" / "I Cover the Waterfront"
- "A Man Called Peter" / "Pagliacci" Australian 78rpm
- "My Heart Cries for You" / "You Love Me" MGM label 10868, 1950)
- "It Isn't Fair" / "Bamboo"
- "Love Locked Out" / "Don't You Know Or Don't You Care"
- "Circus" / "Through A Long And Sleepless Night"
- "Kaw-Liga" / "You Can't Stop Me From Dreaming"
- "Slippin' and Slidin'" / "Cherry Lips"
- "Honky Tonk Song" / "Still In Love With You"
- "Yeah Yeah" / "Someday "