Big Break

The first three songs I ever wrote were on Connie's Hits Albums throughout the world. "Too Many Rules", "It's Gonna Take Me Some Time" & "V A C A T I O N".

I don't remember ever seeing a recording with one name on the label as a composer and another name (of the same person) as the artist. Well, in 1961, it happened.

Don Stirling (Petolino) was a very religious man. I remember trying to write a section of the lyric, with all my "Heart & Soul". Don was very much against the word, "Soul".

After being asked to join Connie's company, I arrived back home to tell my parents what had transpired with Don Stirling that afternoon. I told them that I met Connie Francis...

I was, first, a performer, then, by a quirk of fate, I became a songwriter. It happened when I quit my job at the New York Stock Exchange in the fall of 1960.