Johnny Lombardi
Johnny Lombardi (Johnny Barbalinardo Lombardi), musician, Canadian soldier, grocer, impresario, and broadcaster
1915-2002
Lombardi was born to Italian immigrant parents in Toronto on December 4th, 1915. As a teenager he learned to play trumpet, and later became a popular dance band leader. After serving in the Canadian Army during WWII, Lombardi returned to Toronto and opened Lombardi’s Supermarket at 637 College Street in 1948, in the area which was soon dubbed “Little Italy.”
Lombardi began Italian radio programming in the early 50’s on CHUM and CKFH, became an impresario of Italian shows, and in 1966, he realized his dream of creating Canada’s first full-time, multi-ethnic, multicultural and multi-language radio station when he won his license for CHIN Radio AM 1540, and later, CHIN FM 100.7.
Lombardi gave a voice to millions through his CHIN Radio stations, and was recognized for his achievements and public service with awards that included Member of the Order of Canada, Member of the Order of Ontario, and Order of Merit from the National Congress of Italian Canadians.
Lombardi helped shape and define a vision of Canada that openly embraced different cultures and different languages. As Johnny said, “I hope we will all help preserve the vibrancy of multiculturalism in the city; a blend of traditions, languages and beliefs. It is this diversity that makes a community strong.”
Connie Francis
Connie Francis (Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero), was born in Newark, New Jersey. Her debut as a teenager on the wildly popular American Bandstand, performing her recording of Who’s Sorry Now? catapulted Francis to international stardom. By the mid-1960s, she had sold more than 35 million records worldwide, with 35 U.S. Top 40 hits, and three number one singles including, Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool, My Heart Has a Mind of Its Own, and Don’t Break the Heart That Loves You.
Francis recorded many of her singles in over 13 languages. Several ethnic albums followed including, an Italian album which became her biggest-selling LP, with the single Mama, reaching Top 10 in the U.S. and No. 1 in Europe.
In the 1960’s, Francis appeared in a string of successful motion pictures, including a starring role in one of the most popular teenage films of all time, Where the Boys Are, with the title song reaching No. 1 in 15 countries.
Through the years, Francis has donated much of her free time to charitable benefits and often performs for various religious and civic organizations. She continues to perform to sell-out crowds throughout the United States and abroad.
