Putting a singing career on hold when her two sons were diagnosed with autism, a local artist is taking the stage for the first time in a decade this Saturday.
Denine Lattanzano is ready for her voice to be heard again, as she revives her music career that was previously put on pause.
At age 17, Denine, from 12th Street and Oregon Avenue, was seeing her dreams come true.
“It’s funny because there was a demo out — I made it in someone’s basement — of [Bette Midler’s] ‘Wind Beneath my Wings.’ Gino came across the demo, at 17 I had met him,” Denine said of her now ex-husband but still close friend. “An independent label backed my first record, put it out and then Viper/Metro picked it up.
“From that point on it was full steam ahead.”
Touring, concerts and Billboard-topping singles were a taste of the glitz and glamour Denine — who only goes by her first name since starting ‘in the biz’ — was going to have. When her son, Gino Jr., was diagnosed with autism at three-and-a-half years old, the engine propelling her career forward began to stutter. Later, when her second son, Michael, was diagnosed with the same disease, it all came to a screeching halt
“It was very hard to balance both — I needed to work and I needed to maintain certain things and insurance does not cover everything,” Denine said. “For me, I needed to do this not only for him but for me. I did maintain my career for a while. He was 7 years old when I had Michael — then you have two children. It was too difficult when Michael was diagnosed at 1 year old, he showed signs faster.
“When I had my second son, I decided to kind of pull out of the music business and focus on being with them.”
Denine put down the mic and worked on providing the best care she could for her two sons.
Now, at 37, with a pair of healthy and prospering boys, it’s time to turn the attention back on her.
“I did a meet-and-greet at South Philly Bar & Grill, and Tony and Dana Bruno approached me [about doing a concert]. I was reluctant. I haven’t done a show in over 10 years,” Denine said of the March event at 1235 E. Passyunk Ave.
Putting hesitations aside, Denine began a head-dive back into the scene. Working with producers Mike Rizzo and Steve Migliori in a Cherry Hill, N.J. studio, Denine laid down her first new single, “Shine,” and signed on to do an event May 8 at Chickie’s and Pete’s Play 2, 1526 Packer Ave.
“It is $20 a ticket and it’s sold out. One dollar per ticket is donated to autism Speaks,” Denine, who will be performing her old hits “Baby, I Love You,” “All Cried Out,” “Love of a Lifetime” and her new single “Shine,” said. “Dana approached me about doing it — it was sort of like it’s something I want to do all the time. Any show I do, I’d love to have, even if it’s a dollar a ticket, go to Autism research.
“Not just because my kids are Autistic, but it’s an epidemic now.”
Though the performance is just to “get our feet wet,” Denine, who moved to Jersey when she married her new husband, Vince, three years ago, is excited to be playing to a hometown crowd in a local landmark (which was generously donated by owner Pete Ciarrocchi for the event).
“That was where everything started. I have the most amazing family and friends in Philadelphia and in New Jersey, but I love South Philly.”
Denine Lattanzo was born to parents Susan and Frank Jr. in the South Philadelphia home where her father still resides today. The middle child between older brother Frank 3rd and younger brother John, Denine started singing at age 6.
“I went to Girard Academic Music Program because it focused more on the music theory of things. I thought it was great,” Denine said of her high school days at 22nd and Ritner streets. “This is what I’ve done my whole life and loved and I never had pushy parents or stage parents.”
In fact, Denine’s father required she finish high school before signing a record deal, which is what she did. However, once the wheels of the music career got turning, Denine knew she was doing what she was born to do.
“The hometown stations, Q102, that station was my saving grace. But if you don’t have a good record they aren’t going to play it.” Denine said. “‘I Remember You’ was the one that broke the Billboard Hot-100. From a small indie label that I was on, for it to break Billboard, that was something.”
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1. KFalcione said... on May 6, 2010 at 03:54PM
“I have known Denine and her family since she was in 1st grade. Not only is she extremely talented, but she and her late mother were two of the nicest people you could ever meet. Denine never had an attitude of "I'm better than you" - she was and is always friendly and wonderful to everyone she meets. She is also an amazing mother to her two beautiful boys. I wish her nothing but the best - she really deserves it!”
2. Kelly said... on May 6, 2010 at 07:26PM
“This is so awesome! Cant wait to hear her new Music! She is very talented and growing up I always listened and loved everything she ever put out. Congrats to her!!!!”
3. ADAM M said... on May 6, 2010 at 07:36PM
“I personally think she is too old to be on stage ,you need to be young and HOT to make it in the industry ,not Old and washed up. She had her success in the 90's time to move on and be a mama to your autistic children. THE BIG DREAM CAME AND WENT QUICKLY IN THE 90'S FOR A REASON ,IF DENINE HAD POTENTIAL TO BE A SUCCESSFUL ARTIST SHE WOULD HAVE NEVER QUIT ! ”
4. janet said... on May 6, 2010 at 07:56PM
“I think comments like the one Adam M made are primitive and ingnorant. We are living in a time when women are having babies in their 40's and 50's, having careers and raising families on their own. I know this because I am one of them. Get with the times! Everyone is entitled to their opinion but and there is not reason to insult someone or be hateful. Get your head out of the sand we are in the year 2010 and age is only a number and i say MORE POWER TO YOU DENINE....Let the haters hate!!!! Good luck to you and your children and I hope you have more sucess than you can handle!”
5. Tracy P said... on May 6, 2010 at 09:34PM
“Adam M, one thing comes to mind when I read your comment. JEALOUSY!!! What happened, did you aspire to have a singing career and weren't good enough. I sincerely hope you don't have children because if you do I truly feel sorry for them....there's no way you are a role model. This girl is so talented and she did something so unselfish....put her life on hold to raise 2 autistic children. Someday you should be put in a position where you have to make a choice like she did and you sound like such a selfish jerk that you'd probably put yourself before all others. Stop being such a ahole. I wish I could have 1/4 of the talent that she has, beside the fact she is an absolutely goregous woman. I also bet your name isn't even Adam M and you are probably someone who wanted to be involved in her comeback but you weren't wanted so now you are going to sulk like a child and start name calling. You should grow the f*ck up.”
6. TeeTwo said... on May 6, 2010 at 09:38PM
“WOW Adam.....you sound like a jealous boy....I dare not call you a man. You sound like someone who has not lived his dream.....is that why you are so angry.....it is a shame that you are so mean....my suggestion....SEEK THERAPY!!!! DENINE all the best to you, what this article tells me is that you are a woman who had her priorities in order but did stop dreaming....dream on....”
7. MADELINE said... on May 7, 2010 at 07:08AM
“STOP BEING A HATERAIDE AND GET A LIFE STOP MESSING WITH MY FAMILY ADAM M ***HOLE.”
8. Lisa S said... on May 7, 2010 at 07:32AM
“Yo Ma, you can't curse on here! LOL, at least use the little asterisk! Ok but seriously, that is not going to stop Denine. SHE IS DETERMINED and NO ONE will stop her. Anyone can say what they want but in thee end, she's not going down without a good fight... young or old!”
9. Beth said... on May 7, 2010 at 08:11AM
“Denine is not only an amazing singer but she is an amazing woman, mother and friend! Follow your dreams and your heart...can't wait to see you perform on Saturday!!!”
10. FREESTYLERICKY said... on May 7, 2010 at 08:15AM
“this goes to adam m aka joseph barrone of j&b booking management we know its you post comments and making fake profiles on facebook say denine's shw is cancelled you wasnt sayin all that when u were working for her ya f loser get a life.. ur so pathetic that u have to make fake names grow sum balls if u have sumthing to say then say it with your government name no fake ones u balless bastard!!!”
11. ADAM M said... on May 7, 2010 at 10:03AM
“This is for Freestyle Ricky (whoever you think you are ) call me and lets chat like adults. Cause I got something for ya!!
215-271-4181”
12. ADAM M said... on May 7, 2010 at 10:06AM
“AND BTW...IS FREESTYLE RICKY your Birth Name???????????? IDIOT”
13. Gino Caporale said... on May 7, 2010 at 10:32AM
“Adam M......I would love to call and chat about your comments...I'm free 24-7 and would love to come right to your house and talk like adults...Those autistic children are my kids also, so please let me know, everyone should have an opinion, don't get me wrong, just be nice about it ! BTW I tried to call your number but it's a fax !”
14. ADAM M said... on May 7, 2010 at 10:57AM
“@ Gino Caporale....Maybe you should have a talk with your wife then or ex-wife whatever she is to you. Cause by the sounds of it she has children who need her's and your undivided attention ,and should NOT be galavanting in nightclubs performing like a teenager. <br>Some people never want to grow up i guess. <br><br>Enough Said. <br><br>Take care and Peace ,love ,and happiness to all of you. Now back to TMZ”
15. madeline said... on May 7, 2010 at 11:55AM
“YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOUR SELF TALKING ABOUT MY NEPHEWS .SHE IS A GOOD MOTHER .YOU ARE A EVIL PERSON YOU NEED YOUR ASS KICKED.”
16. Carolina Montagiano said... on May 7, 2010 at 12:28PM
“Madilne , You are a very classy women to be threatning someone on a open forum. Not a good idea Hunny...”
17. Joseph Barone said... on May 7, 2010 at 12:40PM
“Well I was told that people were using my name AGAIN lol ,So I had to come see for myself after this link was left in my email box. "SUPRISE SUPRISE"
First of all I think its Great that the Local Paper is supporting Denine for her return to the stage ,Thats BIG!! And I wish you well denine even though we did not see eye to eye. I run a professional buisness working with the biggest companies in the WORLD and would NEVER write the Garbage ((ADAM M)) wrote especially me being a PROUD FATHER!!
Shame on ADAM M..AND MR "FREESTYLE RICKY" for attaching my name to something I did not do.
DENINE ....I WISH YOU THE BEST AND HOPE YOU ROCK THE SH%%t OUT OF THAT SHOW TOMORROW NIGHT...
Take Care
The real JB Has left the Building. Ciao!!!!”
18. madeline said... on May 7, 2010 at 01:14PM
“you are rite i should have class and not threatning nobody.but he is talking bad about my niece but he has class”
19. Angelo S. said... on May 7, 2010 at 03:27PM
“F$%k all haters. Denine, can't wait to see you perform. Love ya cuz. Adam M needs to get a life.”
20. Debbie Romano said... on May 7, 2010 at 05:30PM
“I am saddened by Adam's comments.Not only is Denine talented,but one of the BEST mom's I know.I have known her since she was a teenager and you cannot find a nicer,kinder person.I cannot even believe someone would say something so hurtful.Adam,keep your comments to yourself....none wants to hear them.Denine...I love you....best of luck on Saturday! Debbie Catrambone-Romano”
21. San Diego said... on May 7, 2010 at 07:19PM
“Adam you comments are a disgrace. I'm originally from S. Philly but now reside in beautiful San Diego and you give us folk a very bad name....”
22. Jen B said... on May 10, 2010 at 04:37PM
“I think that Denine did a great job Sat night...”
23. pete d said... on May 14, 2010 at 08:08PM
“”
24. DJ Frankie D said... on Oct 10, 2010 at 09:29PM
“It is really ashame what this industry has come to. i have been a Dj in the city of Philadelphia since the 80's. Jealousy, ego and money drove it then and its still does now. I have known Gino Cap since his beginning days in the industry. I have followed Denine during her whole career and had the pleasure of meeting her face to face back in the beginning of the summer.
All good people sharing their talents and music with the world.
Adam, it is asamed there are diseased people such as yourself around. you pollute this wirld with negativity, misery and hatred.
You should be ashamed of yourself.
Denine and Gino, keep doing what you love and I will always support your efforts.
Much love to you both !
”