Goodbye To A Friend!

Ulpio Minucci ( pronounced oool-pee-oh men-ooo-chee ) came over to this country from Milan, Italy in the early 50's. His friend, sponsor and supportor was the Italian actress Gina Lolabrigida who was just beginning to get starring roles in movies at that time in Hollywood.

He studied piano and theory in Milan and later added journalism to his curriculum. He was a thorough musician and composer.He went on to write the song "Domani", which was recorded by Julius LaRosa on Archie Bleyer's label, Cadence Records. It rose up the charts to the top ten. Not sure of the year. I do know I used to hear it all the time when I was in high school. My friends and I really liked the tune. I even bought the record. Usually I was buying R&B records but this was one exception to my very limited library. I never dreamt I would ever meet the composer.

When I met him, it was with - of all people - Matt Lucas. Matt and I were on the road with the Narvel Felts band in 1958-9. We ended up the tour in Dover, NJ. Being that close to NY, I just had to get into NYC asap. Matt joined me on that first 35 mile bus trip into the apple. Matt and I went to see Narvels manager, Don Seat. Ulpio was general manager of Conway Twitty's publishing firm. He asked me to play ( after Matt's touting of me ) several songs I had written. He heard them, was obviously impressed and offered to publish the songs.I was only too happy to sign the "popular songwriter contracts" on those songs. About a year later, he recorded me on his label, Regatta Records. I remember I did the American Bandstand show with that record. I couldn't believe it.

Through the years, Ulpio formed several Independant Publisher-Record operations. He and his partners were the first to record the artist, Patti Austin. Again, as luck would have it, I happened to have her first record on Coral. The song was "Earl ( I Wanna Be Your Girl )". Though Ulpio and I went our separate ways musically and career wise, we remained close acquaintences and trusted friends.

He later went on to sign on as General Professional Manager for CBS International. He, his wife Catherine moved to L.A. where they stayed from the mid-seventie's to present day.

He later was elected to the music review board of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences, NARAS and one other similiar affiliation of which I can't recall at the moment

He wrote for Broadway the show "Merlin" about the famous magician and wizard. Dont know if it ever hit the boards or not.

On my infrequent trips to Los Angeles we had lunch, exchanged ideas and talked tunes. He was now retired but always kept his finger in the pie.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine, son Chieli Minucci and daughter Nina. He and Catherine have several grandchildren as well.

I will miss him.

Bob Halley