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| | The oldest of 5 sons of Joseph W. & Ruth K. (Osterberg) Anthony, Albert Leonard Anthony (known as Al) was born & raised in Waukegan, Illinois. Along with his family, he was an active member of the Immanuel Baptist Church, where he learned to play the organ from his aunt, Alma (Anthony) Ekstrand. After graduating from Waukegan Township High School in June 1948, Al went to college in Minnesota, where he played football and focused on his music; the latter, however, would win out. He went on to play with musical groups, eventually making his way to California and the entertainment business.
Also known during his career as "Al Anthony - Wizard of the Organ", Al is remembered as a talented organist, recording artist, performer, producer & director. Though he left us far too soon, his music lives on in his recordings, among them his instrumental version of Ebb Tide (from his 1958 LP Swingin' Hi Fi) and his vocal single, I Love You So Much It Hurts Me. |
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