William Angelo Fiorelli (March 30, 1926 – June 30, 2007),[1][2] better known as Bill Farrell, was a Cleveland-born recording artist in the 1950s[3] on the MGM, Mercury Records and TEL record labels.
In 1947, Bob Hope was in a night club in Buffalo, New York and saw Farrell perform. Hope, impressed with Farrell's powerful baritone voice and smooth delivery, invited Farrell to Hollywood. Hope featured him on his weekly radio show with Doris Day and Les Brown and his Orchestra.[4]
MGM released "Shrimp Boats" b/w "Cry" in October 1951 on the 45-rpm disc K11113.
This particular 45rpm was issued shortly after the decision was made to make available 45 rpm records available to the general public, and to discontinue 78rpm records in favor of the size, weight and packaging.
TEL released "If" b/w "You Were Only Fooling" in late 1951 on the 45 rpm disc C1000.
This was (reportedly) the first 45rpm single released by a division of United Telefilm Records, Inc.
Farrell enjoyed minor hits with his recordings of "Circus" (1949, reached No. 26 on the Billboard charts); "It Isn't Fair" (1950, reached No. 20); and "My Heart Cries for You" (1951, reached No. 18).[5]
Larry Ellman hired Farrell in 1961 to lead sing-along sessions in his restaurant The Cattleman on Lexington Avenue, in New York City, every evening from 9 until 2 a.m. These were successful, and brought a 20% increase in sales for the restaurant in the first few months.[6]
