Teddy Reno née Ferruccio Ricordi (born on 11 July 1926, in Trieste) was a fairly successful singer starting his career just after the end of WWII and being in the mainstream from 1948 to 1961.
Teddy visited South America many-a time. He first performed at Teatro Nacional on Calle Corrientes, in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1950. According to his own words in his 2001 biography 'Teddy Reno, Ricordi' (Gremese Editore) he was mobbed by groups of girls in search of autographs and had a good time mixing up with the Italian expat society which was huge at that time. Argentina was living a dream with Domingo Perón as the President and his wife Evita Perón playing the role of a queen.
Mr Ricordi was back in Buenos Aires two years later, in 1952, having sung at newly-opened Tele Belgrano.
Four years later, in 1956, Teddy Reno was back in Buenos Aires and this time he took the time to stop over in São Paulo, Brazil where he performed at Boite Lord for a fortnight, sang at a TV station and ended up recording a 78 rpm single 'Tarde fria' (Poly-Henrique Lobo), in Portuguese for independent label RGE which has since become a classic.
3rd September 1960, Saturday - Teddy Reno at his last evening recital at Teatro Record at 9:30 pm.1st September 1960 - Teddy Reno had 3 recitals at Teatro Record in São Paulo: he started on Thursday night (1st), had Friday off, then was back on Saturday, 3rd and a farewell concert on Sunday evening at 7:30 pm.
4 September 1960 - OESP had a little note about the Italian crooner on its Sunday paper.
14 November 1956 - Teddy Reno sings at the night club of Lord Hotel, on Avenida Duque de Caxias in downtown São Paulo.
28 October 1956 - Norte-American journalist Mary Wynne prints a note about Teddy Reno's trip to São Paulo at her column at daily 'O Estado de S.Paulo'. Ms Wynne says Mr Reno was considered the 'greatest male singer in Europe' by none else than Elza Maxwell the doyenne of US social columnists.
16 November 1956 - Mary Wynne tells all about Teddy Reno opening night at Boite Lord whose proceeds were reverted to the benefit of 'exiled children' a charity championed by Mrs Vitu Giorgi. Ms Wynne remarks the similitaries of the Italian crooner with Frank Sinatra of some 10 years past.
29 November 1956 - Last days of Teddy Reno stint at Boite Lord, on Avenida Duque de Caxias.
29 November 1956 - On Monday, 26 November 1956, Boite Lord throws a cocktail party as a 'Thank you' note for Teddy Reno's successful stint at that night club. J.Walter Thompson who was the sponsor of Mr Reno's TV appearances chipped in.
29 November 1956 - Mary Wynne mentions Teddy Reno, probably for the last time, since he was schedule to fly over to Rome soon. 2nd December 1956 - Ms Wynne in her rounds of São Paulo night-clubs entered Boite Lord a little too late on Thursday, 29 November 1956. Teddy Reno had already finished his performance and mingled with patrons and fans. Mary says Teddy made a lot of friends in São Paulo. There were a few couples dancing to the sound of Rubens Rodrigues' Hammond organ when all of a sudden Lana Bittencourt accepted an invitation to sing 'Stormy weather' the way Lena Horn does...
'Tarde fria' (Poly-Henrique Lobo) b/w 'Soy un extraño' (Gonzalo Curiel) were both recorded and pressed in São Paulo's RGE.
'Uma voz, uma canção e Teddy Reno' (A voice, a song and Teddy Reno) a 10" album released by RGE by the time Mr Reno was touring Brazil. The liner notes tell wonders about this very popular Italian crooner who speaks French, English, Spanish and German fluently and has recorded for Philips in Paris, Polydor Deutsche Gramophone Gesellschaft in Hamburg, C.G.D. in Milano and R.G.E. in Brazil.
