In August of 1978, the Pop/ Adult Contemporary hit “I Just Wanna Stop” blasted onto the radio airwaves.  That skyrocketed a musical journey for Gino Vannelli that continues to excite live audiences even to this day.

Gino was born in Montreal to Italian parents who emigrated to Canada to escape the daunting era of World War II Italy.  Many of the Italian traditions he still practices today stem from his grandparents who were from Molise and Calabria.

But Gino and his brothers Joe and Ross grew up speaking French.  Even though their father was Italian, he went to French school.  We basically grew up French, but Italian blood still flowed through our veins,” Gino said.  “The sermons at church were in Latin and French, but then we went home to traditional Italian dinners.”

He continued, “Italian programs like the San Remo Festival were always on television, and my dad regularly went out and got the Italian newspaper, ‘Il Corriere’!  My mom loved the operas of Verdi and Puccini, and the contemporary tunes from Sergio Franchi, Connie Francis and Frank Sinatra.  Her pasta sauce and love of Italian culture was what gave me the passion and appreciation for good music at such a young age!”

His father Joseph, who went by the name of “Russ,” was an aspiring vocalist who sang with a variety of dance bands and orchestra leaders including Maynard Ferguson, exposing his three sons to the wonders of music.  But when the expenses of a family became overwhelming, his singing career had to take a backseat to putting food on the table.  So when Gino was ten years old, his dad took over the family barbershop.  But that only fueled young Gino’s fire, as he formed his own band at the age of twelve.  It was called, “The Cobras,” and he was musically on his way.

Gino actually began as a drummer, being mesmerized by Gene Krupa and Buddy Rich.  “By the time I was sixteen, I was traveling to the U.S.  At seventeen I got signed for a bit to RCA Records using the name, ‘Vann Elli,’ and I moved to New York City,” Gino Said.  He would sing with a band, make a few dollars, fly back to Montreal.  Then his parents would give him some money to back to the states, and he would do it all over again.

But that approach wasn’t producing any time of stable results, and an almost discouraged budding superstar was about to give it one last shot.  “I pretty much became desperate, so my brother Joe and I moved to Los Angeles.  Swallowing my pride one day I waited outside the gates of A&M Records,” Gino said.  “When Exec Herb Alpert showed up, I decided to make that my chance.  I literally ran after the Tijuana Brass legend, guitar in hand, and the security guard chased right behind me!  But Herb could tell I was sincere, so he let me sing a couple of songs.  I sang-he smiled.  Then Herb said, ‘Fine, let’s do it!’  The next day, I went back to Montreal-with a record deal!”

In 1974, Gino had a song that hit 22 on the American charts, “People Gotta Move.”  He began touring with Stevie Wonder and Gladys Knight and the Pips.  Vannelli became one of the very first Caucasians to perform on the television show, “Soul Train”.

The “I Just Wanna Stop” craze began in 1978, hitting number one in Canada and number 4 in the U.S.  The closeness of Gino to his brothers was truly reflected by that song, as Gino sang the tune, Ross wrote the lyrics, and both Gino and Joe arranged and produced the smash hit.

Gino kept recording and touring non-stop due to pressures to produce more hits from the record label.   He released the single, “Living Inside Myself in 1981” that became another chart-buster that shot to number 5 on the U.S. charts.

Gino continues tantalizing audiences and collaborating with other superstars.  “One of my favorite artists to work with is the Italian superstar Massimo Ranieri,” Gino said.  “We have done two albums already, and we are working on a third.  That European passion gets my creative juices flowing, and the sessions are magical.”

As with everyone, Gino has also suffered his own personal losses.  In 1995, the Vannelli boys lost their father, Joseph.  It was a huge blow, but they kept on going as that was what they felt their dad would have wanted.  Gino released the album, “Yonder Tree” that was dedicated to his father.  He also penned the song, “Parole Per Mio Padre” (Words For My Father), a tune so heartwarming Gino performed it at The Vatican at the request of Pope John Paul II.

In January of 2020, the matriarch of the family, Delia, succumbed to COVID-19, a tragic and unexpected blow to the Vannelli family.  Then in 2024, tragedy struck yet again.  Gino’s beloved wife of forty-nine years, Patricia passed away from Cancer.  In her honor, Gino released his 22^nd album, “The Life I Got (To My Most Beloved)”

As we have become friends over the years, I have come to sincerely respect the Vannelli family.  His brother Ross is 100% “Team Gino,” managing his day-to-day touring schedule and tour production duties.  I have been working with my brother for decades, so I get the bond between the brothers.  I have a tremendous amount of respect for Ross, his attention to detail and his total commitment to his brother.  And to learn that he wrote the lyrics for “I Just Wana Stop,” it just blew me away!

Gino Vannelli is one of the most-loved voices in the history.  These days, he lives in Oregon and give private vocal lessons.  He is also about to complete an 800-page novel and come out with more music!

The first-class performer with that ultra smooth voice, and his total-pro brother will be returning to my Arcada Theatre later this year.  As he continues to tour, write, record and collaborate, I think his next smash hit will be, “I Just Wanna Keep going!” 

Gino Vannelli…LIVE! At The Arcada Theatre October 11.  Oshows.com 630.962.7000