During the 60's Dusty Rizzo also known as Nick Palmer played all the top night spots on the East Coast and beyond and wowed them wherever he appeared.

His albums "For The First Time" and "Nick Palmer Turns It On" became heavy sellers. Aided by a strong following and managed by TRO he was awarded a contract at the prestigious Copacabana where endless crowds filled the room nightly.

TRO managed other great artists such as Nat King Cole and Vic Damone. Also many great song writers wrote for TRO such as Steve Allen, Paul Anka, Tony Randall and others.

He remembers with great pride his featured singing roles on the Dean Martin and Johnny Carson as well as the Steve Allen shows.

He also appeared on the shows of Merv Griffin, Mike Douglas and John Gary.

He recalls that his bit on the Dean Martin Show was to slide down the fire pole singing the Italian Song "If I Ever Love Again".

Dusty had exclusively recorded a hit song "When Will I Learn" from the broadway show "The Education Of Hyman Kaplan" starring Tom Bosley of "Happy Days" fame. But as luck would have it the show closed after a short run.

His single records did not become the hits that he felt they should have. "I felt I should have been recorded as a rocker in that era, and the ballads would come later".

One of Dusty's recordings "The World Outside" from the Warsaw Concerto remains favorite of one of his close pals Joe Pesci.

Dusty and his Trio toured some 13 cities and appeared at every one of Hugh Heffner's Playboy Clubs. He fondly recalls hanging out with "The King Of Bunnyland".

Tommy DeVito from the original Four Seasons and Joe Pesci, New Jersey's Academy Award Actor and close friends of Dusty had visited Dusty at the I Fratelli's Ristorante in Bloomfield New Jersey where Dusty frequently appears. They felt that Dusty would be perfect for a movie role as the wedding singer in Penny Marshalls movie "Riding In Cars With Boys" starring Drew Barrymore.

In his wedding scene he tries to croon "The Lady Is a Tramp" to a pregnant bride as her father enters the scene and creates a very funny moment.

For an updated schedule of Dusty's appearances please check his Performance Schedule page.

excerpts from a news article by:

Walt Gollender

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