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Gino Vannelli is a Canadian rock singer and songwriter known for hit songs in the 1970s and 1980s, who also pursued jazz and classical music throughout his career.
Gino Vannelli was featured in a conversation and performance at Newstalk 1010 in Toronto, discussing his songwriting masterclasses, his musical family, and other topics.
Gino Vannelli is featured as an artist on the Rock and Romance Cruise, highlighting his extensive discography of 21 albums across rock, jazz, soul, and classical genres.
Gino Vannelli collaborated with The Metropole Orchestra in Rossendaal, Holland, in 2000, marking the beginning of their partnership.
UNISCO lists Gino Vannelli as an international singer-songwriter and music producer whose business operations include music production, live concerts, and collaborations, with a presence in North America and Europe.
Gino Vannelli's song "People Gotta Move" was used in a commercial on TV and radio for the ANWB (Dutch road assistance) in 2008, leading to a resurgence in its popularity in the Netherlands.
The Sono Recording Group released Gino Vannelli's "Live in L.A." CD/DVD compilation in 2014, a recording of his 2013 performance at the Saban Theater.
Gino Vannelli is set to release his album "The Life I Got (To My Most Beloved)" in 2025 under the labels Bed and The Orchard.
Five of Gino Vannelli's six albums with A&M Records made the top 100 Billboard album charts, with "Brother to Brother" reaching a Top 10 position in 1978 and "I Just Wanna Stop" hitting the 4th spot on the Billboard singles chart.
Gino Vannelli made a notable appearance on Soul Train, marking a first for a white artist, following his tour with Stevie Wonder.
Before his seventeenth birthday, Gino Vannelli signed with RCA Records of Canada and released a single called "Gina Bold" under the pseudonym Van-Elli.
Gino Vannelli secured a record deal with A&M Records after an impromptu audition with co-owner Herb Alpert, leading to six albums between 1974 and 1978, including hits like "People Gotta Move," "Crazy Life," "Mama Coco," "Powerful People," and "Lady."
In 1980, Gino Vannelli signed with Arista Records, releasing the album "Nightwalker," which featured the top-ten pop hit "Living Inside Myself."
Gino Vannelli recorded "Big Dreamers Never Sleep" for CBS (Polydor), which included the single "Wild Horses," a Top 10 hit in several countries.
Gino Vannelli signed with Verve Records and released the acoustic-jazz albums "Yonder Tree" and "Slow Love" in 1995 and 1997, respectively.
Following a performance for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, the head of BMG Records asked Gino Vannelli to record a contemporary classical CD, leading to the 2003 release of "Canto."
In 2005, Gino Vannelli released "These Are the Days" under the Universal label, a compilation combining seven classic hits with seven new songs.
Gino Vannelli, born on June 16, 1952, in Montreal, Quebec, came from a musical family, with his father, Joseph Russ Vannelli, singing in Montreal dance bands. Initially drawn to drumming, he studied drums and music theory for five years. His first experience in pop music was as a drummer for the Cobras in high school, and later, with his brother Joe, he fronted the Motown-influenced Jacksonville 5. He also took guitar and piano lessons, which led him to compose words and music. Before turning seventeen, Vannelli signed with RCA Records of Canada, releasing a single titled “Gina Bold” under the name Van-Elli.
In 1972, Vannelli and his brother Joe moved to Los Angeles, where they sought a record deal. After a determined effort, Gino secured an audition with Herb Alpert of A&M Records by approaching him directly. Alpert signed Vannelli, leading to the release of his debut album, “Crazy Life,” in 1973. Vannelli gained further recognition as one of the first white artists to appear on “Soul Train.” In 1974, he toured with Stevie Wonder and released his second album, “Powerful People,” which featured his first major hit, “People Gotta Move.” His 1978 album, “Brother to Brother,” produced the single “I Just Wanna Stop,” reaching No. 4 on the Billboard chart, No. 1 in Canada, and earning a Grammy Award nomination. The subsequent album, “Nightwalker,” also yielded a top ten hit with “Living Inside Myself.”
Vannelli received multiple Juno Awards, including Most Promising Male Vocalist in 1975, and Best Male Vocalist in 1976 and 1979. He and Joe Vannelli also won the Juno Award for Best Production for “Brother to Brother” in 1979. While singles like “Black Cars,” “Hurts to Be in Love” (1985), and “Wild Horses” (1987) achieved success, Vannelli performed live less frequently in the 1980s. He later explored acoustic jazz with albums “Yonder Tree” (1995) and “Slow Love” (1997). A notable turning point occurred in 2000 when he performed his classical-style song “Parole Per Mio Padre” for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican, which led to his 2003 contemporary classical album “Canto.” Vannelli continues to perform and resides in Troutdale, Oregon, where he is active as a music teacher.
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