Georgio (singer)

This article is about American singer, songwriter, filmmaker. For other uses, see Georgio.
Georgio Allentini
Birth nameGeorge Allen
Born1966 (age 58–59)
GenresR&B, pop, dance
Years active1987–1991
LabelsMotown (1987–90)
RCA (1991)

Georgio Allentini, born George Allen (born 1966), better known by the stage name and mononym Georgio, is an American funk and dance music singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist based in California. Allentini also produced, directed and starred in the film Tapped Out in 2003.[1]

Music career

Georgio initially attempted to join Paisley Park Records by sending demos to Prince, but this was unsuccessful. He created his own label, Georgio Records, with which he recorded his the track "Sexappeal" (sometimes "Sex Appeal").[2] "A lot of people in Los Angeles just gave me the run- around and didn't want to make a commitment." Allentini stated.[3]

In 1984, Motown Records showed interest in Allentini and he was eventually signed to the label.[2] Said Motown's then-vice-president of A&R Russ Regan "I heard Sexappeal for myself on my car radio one day and felt it was a record Motown had to go after, but I wanted to meet the artist first. I didn't want to buy just a record. We had dinner and I got excited. There was just something about him."[3]

In 1987, Allentini had several songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100,[2] although none climbed any higher than number 58. He was much more successful on the Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart, where he earned four Top 10 hits, including "Tina Cherry" which went to number 1.[4][5] His 1988 release, "Lover's Lane" reached number 54 in the UK Singles Chart.[6]

Film career

Georgio made the transition to filmmaker with the 2003 release of Tapped Out, which starred Coolio, Alex Avant and Jimmy Bridges. The film was written, co-produced and co-directed by Allentini, who also composed music for its soundtrack.[1]

Allentini also appeared in the 2000 French documentary entitled XX elles with Estelle Desanges, Lisa Guerlain, Dany Verissimo-Petit and others.[7]

Personal life

Allentini was born in Texas in 1966.[8] His mother was a retail salesperson, his father a Naval officer.[9][10] Georgio moved to Los Angeles at age 17.[9][10] He is married to actress Kelly Jo Minter.

Discography

Albums

Singles

(Selective)

  • 1987: "Sexappeal" or "Sex Appeal" number 58 US number 16 R&B
  • 1987: "Tina Cherry" number 96 US number 5 R&B
  • 1987: "I Won't Change"
  • 1987: "Lover's Lane" number 59 US number 26 R&B
  • 1988: "Bedrock" number 37 R&B
  • 1988: "I Don't Want 2 Be Alone" #37 R&B
  • 1989: "Car Freak"
  • 1989: "Romantic Love"

Filmography

Director

  • 2003: Tapped Out (also as producer / screenwriter / actor / composer of soundtrack)

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Tapped Out". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  2. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1993). The Guinness Who's Who of Soul Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 101. ISBN 0-85112-733-9.
  3. ^ a b [1] [dead link‍]
  4. ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Hot Dance/Disco: 1974-2003. Record Research. p. 109.
  5. ^ Mixedfolks.com Archived 2012-04-15 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 225. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7. ^ "XX elles". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  8. ^ "Georgio - Biographical Summaries of Notable People - MyHeritage". 20 January 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-01-20. Retrieved 2021-07-03.
  9. ^ a b "Georgio". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2020-04-20.
  10. ^ a b "His Last $500 Gambled on a Sexy Tape, Princely Georgio Allentini Signs on to Make Millions with Motown". People.com.