Sonny King (April 1, 1922 – February 3, 2006) was an American lounge singer of Italian descent.
He was born as Luigi Antonio Schiavone on April 1, 1922, in Brooklyn, New York. He was the sidekick of Jimmy Durante for 28 years until Durante's death in 1980. They appeared together on The Ed Sullivan Show five times in the 1960s. King shared a New York apartment with Dean Martin when the two were struggling entertainers, and is credited with introducing Martin to a young comedian Jerry Lewis.
Although not an official Rat Pack member, he was close friends with many Rat Pack entertainers and appeared in movies such as Robin and the Seven Hoods and Sergeants 3. He recorded an album "For Losers Only" and shared the stage with jazz greats such as Louis Armstrong, Lena Horne, Joe Williams and many more. King moved to Las Vegas in the early 1950s and was a fixture on the strip and local clubs until his death on February 3, 2006, from cancer. He was 83 years old.
King was brought up in vaudeville and trained in operatic vocals and comedy. He combined these elements performing as a lounge singer in Vegas.
Sonny had seven children: Thomas Stephens, Michael Stephens, Craig Unger, Shannon Ward, Antoinette Schiavone, Louis Schiavone II and Christopher Schiavone.
Discography YearTitleLabelFormatnotes1951If You Were Mine/ No MoreLondon78 RPMRecorded in November 1950."Chatter: London", Variety magazine Vol. 180, Iss. 11, (Nov 22, 1950) page 60. King had been performing in London for much of 1950 after being scouted while performing at Leon and Eddie's Sunday celebrity night."Guild' Nix of Celebrity Nights May Stymie Showcasing of Talent", Variety, Jun 14, 1950, page 661953Crazily/She's Just an Old Memr'y NowNocturne78 RPMNocturne's first release; Songs written by Jimmy Krondes, the label co-founder.1955So Doggone Lonely/You Shouldn'tNocturne45 RPMNocturne 1003; Songs written by Jimmy Krondes.1959For Losers OnlyColpixLPCP 402; Arrangements by Johnny Williams (aka John Williams) 1959You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You/ MasqueradeColpix45 RPMCP 107; Single from "For Losers Only"1959Am I Blue/ (I'm Afraid) The Masquerade is OverPye45 RPMPP-013; Australian single from "For Loser's Only" 1961Jimmy Durante "At the Copacabana"RouletteLPR-25123; Live album recorded at the Copacabana. Sonny sang in Durante's live act on this album sang medleys of: My Loving Melody Man/Ragtime Daddy/I Love You, I Do and We're Going Home/Who Will Be With You/Don't Talk About Us When We Are Gone/You Made Me Love You.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes1962 Sergeants 3 Corporal 1964 Robin and the Seven Hoods Robbo's Hood #2 1991 Mission: Killfast Murak
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