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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZPASTOR, Tony(b Antonio Pestritto, '07, Middletown CN; d 31 Oct. '69, New London) Tenor sax, vocalist, bandleader. Began on C-melody sax; worked for Irving Aaronson late '20s, own band in Hartford early '30s, with Smith Ballew '35, Joe Venuti, Vincent Lopez, then Artie Shaw '36--40, incl. solos on many hits, zany vocals e.g. on 'Indian Love Call' '38. Led own popular band '40--59, hits every year '41--9 incl. his own novelty vocals on 'Dance With A Dolly (With A Whole In Her Stocking)' '44 (adapted from 1844 song 'Buffalo Gals'), Ruth McCullough on no. 2 hit 'Bell-Bottom Trousers' '45; vocal trio the Clooney sisters late '40s incl. Rosemary's first recorded solos on 'You Started Something', 'Grieving For You' etc. Good musicianship with arr. late '40s by Walter Fuller, Ralph Flanagan, Budd Johnson kept band going until '59; later he had night club act with sons Guy, John, Tony Jr (LP on Roulette A Guy And His Dad), also Plays And Sings Shaw on Everest, others long out of print. |