| Tony Sandler | |
|---|---|
Sandler with Ralph Young, 1970. |
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lucien Joseph Santelé |
| Also known as | The Continental Compliment Sandler and Young |
| Born | 18 August 1933 |
| Origin | Lauwe, Belgium |
| Genres | Easy Listening, Jazz, Swing, Pop |
| Occupations | Singer, Actor, Producer |
| Labels | Capitol |
| Website | Tonysandler.com |
Tony Sandler, (born Lucien Joseph Santelé, 18 August 1933 in Lauwe, part of the city of Menen in Belgium) is a singer, entertainer and performer. He is also well known as the Continental half of the Capitol recording singing team Sandler and Young singing duo popular in the 1960s and 1970s and mid 1980s.[1]
Tony Sandler began performing as a boy with the French Gregorian choir "Les Petits Chanteurs à la Croix de Boix", who performed for Pope Pius XII.
In 1954, he recorded his first hit "Song of the Sea" while serving with the Belgian Air Force (Korean War).[2] He attracted international audiences in Austria, Germany, Switzerland and Britain, and became a stage and television star with dozens of hit records. He also starred in four German/Italian films as well as musical productions.
Tony Sandler then starred and headlined with singing engagements at the renowned Café Roma in Alassio on the Italian Riviera leading him to his U.S. debut.
In 1963 Tony Sandler joined the cast of the "Casino de Paris" revue at the Dunes Hotel in Las Vegas. In this extravaganza Tony Sandler performed side by side with French star Line Renaud and also one American entertainer Ralph Young.
In 1965 Tony Sandler and Ralph Young decided to start a solo act and perform together as a singing team and that was the beginning of a very successful story of Sandler and Young
In the mid eigties, Ralph Young retired from the act to spend more time with his family in Palm Springs and Los Angeles. Tony Sandler, two decades younger, continued to perform and produce. Tony Sandler is now still active, singing American and European repertory s.a. a one man show called “Chevalier: Maurice & Me.” and recorded in 2010 his tribute to Jacques Brel
In 2008, Bob Huber, a friend of Tony Sandler, suggested that Tony consider recording an album of American standard love songs, particularly those familiar to most people.
Huber felt that type of song, with Tony's voice and European accent, would appeal to those seeking soft music for intimate settings. Tony agreed to try, and soon recorded the album "Simply Tony" on the Butterfly Label of Huber Entertainment Group launched the album and subsequently agreed to a contract with Tony as agent and producer. The album was an immediate success, quickly selling throughout the US and Europe.
Tony Sandler has also worked with the Land of Lakes Choirboys seasoned group called the Viking Choir, directed by Francis Stockwell. Tony just taped a television special called "Tony Sandlers Holiday Greetings" with the Viking Choir, which was broadcast on PBS in December 2008 and February 2009 and is scheduled to be re-broadcast on most of the PBS affiliate stations during the next two holiday seasons.