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Born: May 7, 1928 in Medicine Hat, Alberta; Died: November 21, 1995

Celebrated Canadian, and Stratford trained, actor Bruno Gerussi also hosted his own CBC radio show called 'Words & Music' in the late '60s/early '70s.

With Gerussi's rich speaking voice Kanata Records owner Gene Lees took the 'Words & Music' format which often teamed him with singer-songwriter Tommy Ambrose to create a narrative mixture of poetry and music on a double album called 'Fuzzy Love' as part of the label's second set of inaugural releases in November 1971.

The poetry was supplied by newspaper columnist Gary Dunford while the music segments were supplied by Toronto session players under the auspices of arranger/producers Doug Riley and Rick Wilkens. Ambrose's role, for the most part, involved performing cover tunes by the likes of James Taylor and George Harrison among others while Gerussi read the narratives between musical segments.

Gerussi would go on to star in CBC TV's 'The Beachcombers' in 1972 and stayed on the show for nearly 18 years -- juggling a second job as host of 'Celebrity Cooks' as well.

Gerussi re-teamed with wordsmith Gary Dunford and songwriter/producer Kevin Gillis in 1978 for the novelty tune "Signin' With The NHL" as a one-off single.

Georgia Straight journalist and musician Tom Harrison would later name his own band Bruno Gerussi's Medallion as a tribute to the star. The band were invited to perform at 'The Beachcombers' wrap party on August 4, 1990 at the Gibsons Curling Rink in Vancouver.

Gerussi died of a heart attack in Vancouver in November 1995.

Gerussi's nephew, Gino, is currently making the rounds with a remake of Billy Joel's song "She Got A Way".


Singles
1978 Signin' With the NHL/Shake The Sun (Quality) 2274X

Albums
as BRUNO GERUSSI & TOMMY AMBROSE
1971 Fuzzy Love (Kanata/Pindoff) KAN-4

Video


Compilation Tracks