American Lcn controlled by only N.Y.??Wouldnt say that but who knows...anyway back on topic on the Ricca subject.
Don Parrillo(Chicago's Alderman) was the former 1960's city politician in the first ward,so he was a witness to a lot of things that were goin on in thouse days.And it was with Ricca he had his closest relationship.When Parrillo's father passed away at age 48, while Parrillo was in his early 20s, "Ricca was like my surrogate father," he says.
"I'm going to tell you a story," declares Parrillo, "just to show you how powerful these guys were in the entertainment industry at the time."
"One Sunday afternoon (alleged events imply October 7, 1962) I was playing cards with friends, including Ricca's son, in Ricca's basement recreation room" at his three-story home in River Forest .
At a separate table "Ricca was playing poker with five other people. Periodically, we could hear music and applause coming from the third floor...Ricca's wife was entertaining some ladies' group."
"After a while, she came down to the recreation room with a very handsome young man from Italy who had a guitar strapped around his neck. 'Oh, Papa, I just love this young man,' she said. 'He's got such a beautiful voice. Can you help him?' "
" 'Well, what does he want?' Ricca asked his wife, who then turned to the young singer and asked, 'What do you want, young man?' "
" 'I'd like to be on the Ed Sullivan Show,' he said. So she said, 'When would you like to go on it?' and he replied, 'As soon as possible.' "
"Now, this is the hottest variety show in America and all the talent in America was trying to get on this show."
"So Ricca said to the guy seated next to him, 'Call the Jew in California and tell him to put this guy on the Ed Sullivan Show next Sunday.' "
"Well, the following Sunday I was glued to my TV set. And sure enough, about halfway through the show Ed Sullivan said, 'Now I'm going to introduce you to a handsome young Italian, the greatest voice from Italy....Sergio Franchi!!!
source...http://www.hydeparkmedia.com/Alderman_Parrillo.html
