Don Rondo (January 5, 1930 – January 27, 2011), born Donald Rondeau, was an American singer of popular music ballads during the mid-1950s, known for his distinctive baritone voice.
Born in Ware, Massachusetts, he sang with local groups and on radio before coming to the attention of Jubilee Records. His first recording for the label, "Two Different Worlds" established him as one of the decade's pre-eminent crooners. Released in October ![]()
1956, the song spent three months on the Billboard chart, peaking at #11. It eventually went on to sell in excess of a million copies, and established Rondo at a time when music of his genre was facing strong competition from rock and roll. Among his television appearances was a 1957 appearance on the TV game show, To Tell the Truth.
1956, the song spent three months on the Billboard chart, peaking at #11. It eventually went on to sell in excess of a million copies, and established Rondo at a time when music of his genre was facing strong competition from rock and roll. Among his television appearances was a 1957 appearance on the TV game show, To Tell the Truth.Because of the success of "Two Different Worlds", Jubilee quickly followed it up with another release, a double A-side, "The Love I Never Had" and a cover of Elvis Presley's song, "Don't". However, this fared less well, and a third single, "On Forgotten Street" also failed to make an impact.
Changing tempo in 1957, his next release was a cheerful number, "White Silver Sands", written by Red Matthews, and which provided him with a #7 chart hit, The song actually became Jubilee's biggest selling hit, and another million-seller, but the gold disc winning "White Silver Sands" was to be Rondo's last major ![]()
hit. On the B-side of this record was the jazz classic Stars Fell on Alabama.
Other releases followed, including "There's Only You" and "Forsaking All Others", but these barely made it into the charts.
hit. On the B-side of this record was the jazz classic Stars Fell on Alabama. Other releases followed, including "There's Only You" and "Forsaking All Others", but these barely made it into the charts.
After leaving Jubilee, Rondo signed with Atlantic Records, where he released another double A-side, "Malibu" / "So Did I". He also recorded songs for Carlton Records, Roulette and Decca. Among his Carlton releases were "A Hoot 'n A Holler", while his Roulette recordings included "The Golden Rule". Among his Decca recordings are "Beyond The Mighty River" and "Evening Star." None of these achieved the success of his early Jubilee material, however, and musical tastes had, by then, dramatically shifted.
After retiring from live music in the 1960's, Don enjoyed a second career singing advertising jingles for companies like Stroh's Beer, Firestone Tires, GMC trucks, Chevy, Firebird Oil, Detroit Tigers, Burger Beer, and The Hymn Of The National Guard. ![]()
In the 1970's Don retired completely from music and moved to New Hampshire where he opened and ran a successful small business and invested in real estate. Don became very vocal about local politics and soon a New Hampshire TV station hired him to moderate a local political talk show where Don's no-holds-barred, outspoken views generated a lot of buzz, earning him a lot of new fans and even a few detractors.
In the 1970's Don retired completely from music and moved to New Hampshire where he opened and ran a successful small business and invested in real estate. Don became very vocal about local politics and soon a New Hampshire TV station hired him to moderate a local political talk show where Don's no-holds-barred, outspoken views generated a lot of buzz, earning him a lot of new fans and even a few detractors.
His local TV career soon led to a year-long stint on radio, again moderating a politically charged talk show. In 1976, he established Ronson Ziebart in Hooksett, NH and resided there the rest of his life with is family. Donald T. Rondeau passed away on January 27, 2011 after a valiant battle with lung cancer at his home in Contoocook, NH at the age of 81. For a short time in the late nineteen fifties, he was the voice of pop music excellence and at the top of his game. Two Jubilee label million sellers and a lot of fine music was the result, and to this day remains a voice to remember. (Info edited mainly from Wikipedia & superoldies.com)