Suffering from maledizioni that tragically shortened their lives, Russo Columbo, Mario Lanza and Bobby Darin captured the imagination of a nation during their brief times in the spotlight. Frank Sinatra lived to 82, Connie Francis to 87 and Tony Bennett to 96. Like many other Italian American singers, they were blessed with longevity. At least three, however, were not. They apparently were living under a maledizione, or curse.
Mega-stars Russ Columbo, Mario Lanza and Bobby Darin enjoyed great fame … but only briefly. Each could have had “Tragedy” for a middle name as none lived to 40 and Columbo didn’t even make it to 30. Not many are aware of Russ Columbo today, but he was big in the 1920s and early 1930s, a pioneer crooner well before Sinatra.
