Buddy Greco, one of the many big name entertainers who once called South Philly home, passed away on Jan. 10 in Las Vegas. He was 90.
Born Armando “Buddy” Greco, he has more than 60 albums to his name, with “The Most Beautiful Girl in the World,” “The Lady Is a Tramp” and “Around the World” being just a few of his hit songs. He was inducted into the Philadelphia Music Alliance Walk of Fame in 1993. Mr. Greco also spent four years touring with the Benny Goodman Band, and would go on to enjoy a highly successful solo career. One of his more noteworthy performances came during the 1960s, when he was part of the First Command Performance with The Beatles at the Prince of Whales Theatre.
Like with many of the other famous South Philly crooners, Mr. Greco’s musical talents would become his ticket around the world. While the visits back home were rare, he certainly made the most of them. During a January 2009 visit, his first in 16 years, Mr. Greco stopped by the old South Philly Review office at 12th and Porter streets. While he was in town to do a show with his wife, Lezie Anders, this neighborhood tour would serve as a stroll down memory lane to where his story began — his childhood home on the 2000 block of South Chadwick Street. SPR -B.G.
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