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Biography
A close-harmony vocal group of the pre-rock 'n' roll era, the
quartet was founded in Pennsylvania, USA, in 1949 by baritone lead singer Al Alberts
(b. Chester, Pennsylvania, USA). With Dave Mahoney, Lou Silvestri
and Sol Vocare, he recorded a single on the local
Victoria label in 1951. "Sin (Not A Sin)" sold a million
copies and the Four Aces were signed to Decca Records. Alberts
and Martin Gold co-wrote "Tell Me Why", which began a string of
hit singles during the mid-50s. Among them were the 1952 revival of Hoagy Carmichael and Frank Loesser's
1938 song "Heart And Soul", "Stranger In Paradise"
(from the stage musical Kismet), "Mister Sandman" (1954),
"Heart" and "Melody Of Love" (1955). The group's only
number 1 record was the Oscar-winning "Love Is A Many-Splendored Thing", the title song from the 1955
film starring Jennifer Jones and William Holden. The Four Aces also recorded
versions of the theme from Three Coins In The Fountain and "The World
Outside" from the film Suicide Squadron. In 1956, the group suffered a
double blow as Alberts left to follow a solo
career and rock 'n' roll arrived. The Four Aces tried various strategies to
survive, including covering a Pat Boone song "Friendly Persuasion
(Thee I Love)" and jumping on the calypso and rock bandwagons with
"Bahama Mama" and "Rock And Roll
Rhapsody". However, few of these records were even minor hits and by
the end of the 50s the Four Aces had disappeared from view. Alberts did little better, although
"Willingly" (1958) was only a minor success.
Discography:
The Four Aces 10-inch album (Decca 1952)****, The Mood For Love (Decca
1955)***, Merry Christmas (Decca 1956)***, Sentimental Souvenirs (Decca
1956)***, Heart And Soul (Decca 1957)***, She Sees All The Hollywood Hits
(Decca 1957)***, Written On The Wind film soundtrack (Decca 1957)***,
Shuffling Along (Decca 1957)**, Hits From Hollywood (Decca 1958)***, The Swingin' Aces (Decca 1959)**, Hits From Broadway (Decca
1959)**, Beyond The Blue Horizon (Decca 1959)**.
Compilations:
The Golden Hits Of The Four Aces (Decca 1960)****, Record Oldies (United
Artists 1963)***.
Filmography:
The Big Beat (1957).
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