Frankie Laine dies

07-02-2007 12:29

Singer Frankie Laine has died after suffering a heart attack.Laine - one of the most popular singers in the 40s and 50s - passed away in San Diego's Mercy Hospital aged 93, on Tuesday (06.02.07).The veteran singer, who sold an estimated 250 million albums during his career, had been initially admitted for hip replacement surgery. Laine, whose hits include 'I Believe' and 'Jezebel', gave his final public appearance last year singing his first big hit 'That's My Desire' on US TV.Music producer Jimmy Marino said: "He was one of the greatest singers, one of the last Italian crooner types."Born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio to Sicilian parents, Laine struggled to make a living until he reached his 30s.He enjoyed his first taste of success in 1947 after jazz musician Hoagy Carmichael saw him performing in a Los Angeles nightclub.