Steve Alaimo
American singer, producer, and host of Where the Action Is.
Stephen Charles Alaimo was an American singer who became a teen idol in the early 1960s. He later worked as a record producer and label owner, and is best known for hosting and co-producing Dick Clark's Where the Action Is. He holds the record for the most appearances on the US Billboard Hot 100 without a Top 40 hit.
Quick Facts
- Born
- December 6, 1939, Omaha, Nebraska
- Died
- November 30, 2024
- Occupation
- Singer
- record producer
- label owner
- television host
- Labels
- Marlin Records
- Checker Records
- Atlantic Records
- Atco Records
- Alston Records
- TK Records
- Vision Records
- Notable for
- Hosting and co-producing Where the Action Is; most Hot 100 entries without a Top 40 hit
Facts from the source article.
Early years and the Redcoats
Alaimo moved to Rochester, New York, at age five. While a pre-med student at the University of Miami, he joined his cousin's instrumental rock band the Redcoats as guitarist and later singer. After a sock hop, they signed with Henry Stone's Marlin Records. Their 1959 single "I Want You To Love Me" became a regional hit. Disc jockey Bob Green became Alaimo's manager, later passing the role to Stone. The Redcoats became the backing band for Dick Clark's Caravan of Stars.
Music production and acting
In the mid-1960s he produced for Sam & Dave, Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes, and The 31st of February, buying partial songwriting credits to some Gregg Allman songs. He appeared in four feature films, including 1967's Wild Rebels and 1970's The Naked Zoo. Most of his films were forgotten, though Wild Rebels gained renewed interest after being featured on Mystery Science Theater 3000.
TK Records
In 1969, Henry Stone and Alaimo set up Alston Records. Alaimo quit performing to run the label. In 1972, Timmy Thomas hit with "Why Can't We Live Together" on Stone's Glade Records. Stone consolidated many labels under TK Records in 1973 with Alaimo. In 1974, Harry Wayne Casey and Rick Finch's demo became "Rock Your Baby" by George McCrae, a number-one single. The partnership of Casey, Finch, Alaimo, and Stone achieved greatest success with KC & the Sunshine Band.
Vision Records
TK Records closed in 1981; Henry Stone sought Morris Levy for financial relief, and Alaimo was edged out. By 1987, Alaimo formed Vision Records with engineers Ron and Howard Albert. The label specialized in recordings for stars who had used Criteria Studios in the 1970s and also produced Miami Bass records, including Beatmaster Clay D. With the Albert Brothers, Alaimo formed Audio Vision studios in 1987, which had hits in hip-hop and classic rock for 35 years.
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