Dino, Desi & Billy began their recording career in 1965. Their first hit was "I'm a Fool". All three were adept at their respective instruments at an early age. Growing more proficient in their talents, they began writing or co-writing and producing their own songs. Billy played lead guitar; Dino, son of Dean Martin, played bass and Desi played drums. Desi is the son of the most famous TV icons in the world - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz (I Love Lucy).
DD&B's songs were tight, tuneful and topical to the 60's world and new sounds. Their producers, arrangers, engineers and back-up musicians were the cream of the crop. They included Jimmy Bowen, Lee Hazlewood, Billy Strange, Hal Blaine, Carol Kaye, James Burton, Jim Gordon, Al Casey and Bones Howe. They were the youngest group ever to have hit records. They were also the only group to have a Filipino/American boy (Billy) as a teen heartthrob.
With the best back-up musicians in the business, Frank Sinatra signing them to his Reprise label, their mini-Beatle haircuts, their 60's clothes, Beatle boots, their guitars, drums and most important, their songs, they couldn't miss. They recorded 4 albums for Reprise, toured extensively throughout the US and Canada and appeared on all the popular television shows of the era including the Ed Sullivan show.
"I'm a Fool" was just the beginning. The song is hip, cool, well sung and the instrumental parts are right on target. The record buyers - young girls, ate it up and bought them up. The record climbed to the top 10 on the Billboard charts. Their second hit, Not the Lovin' Kind written by Lee Hazlewood, opened with a jingle jangle guitar reminiscent of the Byrds. DD&B's uniqueness gleaned the best characteristics of the best British invasion and 60's groups and fused these sounds into their own original sound.
DD&B's last charted hit, "Tell Someone You Love Them" was written by Billy, a song he patterned after The Beach Boys' hit "Darlin'." Billy had a special affinity for the Beach Boys not only because DD&B had toured as the opening act for the famous California band, but his sister Anne married Carl Wilson. Billy went on to become a Beach Boys band member for over 25 years. Carl Wilson was subsequently married to Dino's sister, Gina.
For lots of fun info on the Beach Boys Band
please visit BeachBoysBand.net
Desi has starred in many television shows, plays and movies, including The Mambo Kings, in which he portrayed his father. He and his wife, Amy, own and operate the non-profit Boulder City Ballet Company which stages a variety of musical and community productions. Visit them at BCBalletCo.org. In 1999 Desi purchased the Historic Boulder Theatre in Boulder City NV and is currently renovating it from a movie theatre into a live performing theatre. The theatre was built in 1931 when construction began on Hoover Dam and seats 400. The theatre is home to the ballet company and also to Ricci, Desi & Billy.
Over the years, Desi and Billy have continued to write and record songs together. They have also performed as a duet for many charitable organizations like Wings (for battered women) and The Caring Program For Children (Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Utah).
