Johnny Desmond

Johnny Desmond (born Giovanni Alfredo De Simone; November 14, 1919 – September 6, 1985) was an American singer and actor. He began his singing career in the St. Joseph's parish choir at the age of 11 and later sang on a local radio station as a boy. At 15, he quit singing to work at his father's grocery store. Desmond attended Northwestern High School and briefly studied at the Detroit Conservatory of Music before pursuing a career in music. In 1939, he formed his own singing group, initially called the Downbeats and later renamed the Bob-O-Links when they started working with Bob Crosby's big band. Desmond appeared on 15 commercial recordings with the Crosby orchestra, including two charted hits. He went on to have a successful career as a singer and actor, gaining popularity in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.