Tony Sandler
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tony Sandler, (Born Lucien Joseph Santelé, in 1933 in Lauwe, near the city of Kortrijk in Belgium, is a singer - entertainer and performer and also well known as the Continental half of the Capitol recording singing team Sandler and Young, a very popular singing duo in the sixties and seventies.
Contents |
[edit] Early life
Tony Sandler begins performing as a boy with the French Gregorian choir "Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Boix", who performed for Pope Pius XII In 1954 he records his first hit "Song of the Sea" while serving with the Belgian Air Force (Korean War). He attracts international audiences in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Brittain and becomes a stage and television star with dozens of hit records. He also stars in four German/Italian films as well as musical productions.
Tony Sandler is now starring and headlining with singing engagements on the Italian Riviera wich will lead him to his U.S. debut
[edit] 1964-1983, the Sandler & Young Years
In 1963 Tony Sandler first came to the attention of American audiences in the long-running "Casino de Paris" show with French singer Line Renaud and a cast of 100 European artists, at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. Also in the show was one American singer Ralph Young. It was announced that on November 29, 1963, the cast of Casino de Paris will be arriving to Vegas from Paris with Producer/Director Frederic Apcar in charge of the troup. The production was scheduled to open on December 23rd. Between acts, and to help pass the time in their dressing room, the Tony Sandler and Ralph Young experimented with a distinctive contrapuntal singing style that would soon become the basis of their own act. The new singing entertainment act, Sandler & Young is now formed and is now ready to rapidly achieve worldwide star status. On their very first engagement in one of the many lounges in Las Vegas, they were discovered by comic legend Phil Silvers, who urged film legend and diva Polly Bergen to use Sandler and Young in her show at the renowned Thunderbird Hotel in Las Vegas. The success was instantly and in no time Sander & Young became the hottest act in showbusiness
When Sandler & Young were engaged at the Plaza's Hotel world-famous Persian Room in New York in 1966 , Capitol Records President Alan Livingstone guaranteed even greater exposure and acclaim by signing them to an exclusive recording contract. This contract with Capitol Records would ultimately result in a astonishing output of "Sandler & Young" albums, with millions sold. The first hit-single 'Dominique" became a platinum album and the debut LP- album "Side by Side", lasted 19 weeks on 'Billboards LP Chart. 11 albums with Capitol followed. Still now, Capitol records releases Collection albums with their greatest performers s.a. 'Sandler & Young'
Tony Sandler & Ralph Young were already a sellout in the biggest showrooms and most prestigious nightclubs across the nation when television made them stars in every living room. "Sandler & Young" made frequent appearances on the top rated variety shows of Johnny Carson, Ed Sullivan, Red Skelton, Andy Williams, Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas, Dean Martin, Milton Berle and 'The Hollywood Palace Show", or on celebrity game shows such as "What's My Line"
In the summer of 1969 Tony Sandler and Ralph Young hosted the very popular 'Kraft Music Hall' TV show for a full season on NBC. Appearing with them was a virtual 'Who's Who' of stars from the entertainment world. Soon there after, Tony Sandler becomes an U.S. Citizen in 1971
Sandler & Young splits up when Ralph Young, the senior partner by fifteen years, retires.
[edit] 1983-1999, the Producer Host
Tony Sandler produces a series of touring variety shows and broadcasts hosting new talent and popular guest stars. He also co produces and hosts PBS specials filmed in Europe. He produces Big Band shows with a million dollar collectin of original scores from renowned big band masters. Produces symphony pops shows a,d performs as guest stars for benefit gala events in the U.S. and Europe.
[edit] 21st century
He records an original project "Anthology of Flemish Folk and Art Songs" destined for the Library of Congress.
Stars in U.S. tours of multi million dollar French musichall production "La Tournée Champs Elysees". Produces and begins touring with a two act show 'Chevalier, Maurice & Me', a captivating musical theatre based on the life and music of legendary Maurice Chevalier
Records CD "Maurice & Me".
Produces a concert production "MY PARIS", in collaboration with Hollywood's award winning Peter Matz, one of the foremost musical directors/arrangers/composers in every medium of entertainment. 'MY PARIS' premiers in 2003 with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
Produces the TV special "Chevalier, Maurice & Me" for PBS
Produces the big Band prodcution 'The Great International Songbook'. This show was also taped live from Belgium.
