Jimmy Roselli rival of Frank Sinatra has died

Sad news this week... a crooner from Hoboken, New Jersey and a rival of the late Frank Sinatra, Jimmy Roselli has died at 85 on Thursday from heart problems, according to published reports.

Growing up, Sinatra and Roselli lived only five houses away from each other in Hoboken.
Roselli was known for his renditions of songs from Naples. His biggest hits occurred in the mid 1960s: "There Must Be A Way" and "Mala Femmena."

Inspired by his grandfather's love of music, young Jimmy crooned on weekends at a Hoboken hotel and then was discovered at 13 on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour, where Frank Sinatra also got a start.

Roselli was one of the most significant Italian-American pop singers of his time, during an era of formidable competition from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Perry Como, Frankie Laine, and Jerry Vale.


He was living in Venice Beach, Fla. when he passed away. Reports say that a funeral mass will be held this Tuesday, July 5 in Hoboken at St. Ann's Church.