Mario Lanza The Best of Everything

Before Elvis and The Beatles there was Mario Lanza Trained for a career in opera Lanza became the first true crossover artist when MGM made him a matinee idol during the 1950s with box office hits such as The Toast of New Orleans and The Great Caruso With his unique blend of both classical and popular music Lanzas recordings of The Loveliest Night of the Year Beloved and his signature ballad Be My Love sold in their millions But within 10 years the star that glowed so brightly burned itself out and Lanzas sudden death in 1959 at the age of 38 was the first tragic death of the modern pop and rock era