Giacamo, (Jack), Testa di Patata emigrated to the USA from the Calabrese region of Italy in 1952.
His three octave tenor voice quickly earned him the lead vocalist role in The Gardeneers, a briefly popular recording act which specialized in covering Black rhythm n blues songs for a white audience.
Now using the professional name Jack Testa, Testa di Patata married his first wife, Putina Amido
whose tragic death by juliennation would shake the tuber vegetable community two years later.
In 1957, on the recommendation of his manager Fritz Pomme, Testa married 'a nice Jewish girl', Latka Kartoffel.
Kartoffel's spending nearly bankrupted Testa, and he was obliged to sell his house and move in with his mother-in-law.
Testa was badly injured in an altercation with former Heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston, at a New York nightclub in 1964.
After extensive plastic surgery, Testa relaunched his singing career with a Las Vegas residency.
Now retired and living in the Phoenix, Arizona area, the Testa di Patatas are enjoying their golden years.
His three octave tenor voice quickly earned him the lead vocalist role in The Gardeneers, a briefly popular recording act which specialized in covering Black rhythm n blues songs for a white audience.
Now using the professional name Jack Testa, Testa di Patata married his first wife, Putina Amido
whose tragic death by juliennation would shake the tuber vegetable community two years later.
In 1957, on the recommendation of his manager Fritz Pomme, Testa married 'a nice Jewish girl', Latka Kartoffel.
Kartoffel's spending nearly bankrupted Testa, and he was obliged to sell his house and move in with his mother-in-law.
Testa was badly injured in an altercation with former Heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston, at a New York nightclub in 1964.
After extensive plastic surgery, Testa relaunched his singing career with a Las Vegas residency.
Now retired and living in the Phoenix, Arizona area, the Testa di Patatas are enjoying their golden years.
