Died On This Date (March 21, 1987) Dean Paul Martin / Dino, Desi and Billy; Son of Dean Martin

Dean Paul Martin
November 17, 1951 – March 21, 1987

dino-desi-and-billy.jpgTo many, Dean Paul Martin was best known as Dean Martin’s son, but to music fans he was Dino of Dino, Desi and Billy. The Desi being Desi Arnaz Jr. Forming the group in their early teens, DD&B had a couple of semi hits that targeted the teenage girl crowd. As he grew older, Dino became Dean Paul and went on to make a name for himself playing tennis. He even played Wimbledon. Flying was yet another passion of Martin’s. He got his pilot’s license at just 16 and later earned his wings with the Air National Guard. Then in 1987, Martin was flying his National Guard fighter jet when a bad snowstorm caused him to crash it in the mountains for California, killing him and his Weapons System Officer on impact. He was once married to Olympic ice skater, Dorothy Hammill and actress Olivia Hussey.

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Dino, Desi and Billy

Died On This Date (December 25, 1995) Dean Martin

Dean Martin (Born Dino Crocetti)
June 7, 1917 –  December 25, 1995

Dean Martin was a pop music, television and film star who was one of the biggest names in entertainment during the ’60s and ’70s.  He and his pals, Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Peter Lawford and Sammy Davis, Jr. were collectively known as the Rat Pack around Hollywood and beyond.  Besides hanging out together, they shared many legendary performances in Las Vegas.  Martin’s recording career was dotted with numerous hits throughout the years, including “That’s Amore,” “Everybody Loves Somebody,” and “Volare.”  His charisma, rugged good looks, and (mostly fake) public drinking made him the “King of Cool” and a pop culture icon.  Following the tragic death of his son Dean Paul in 1987, Martin all but faded from the public eye.  He made occasional special appearances mostly in honor of his Rat Pack buddies.  In 1993, he was diagnosed with lung cancer along with kidney and liver problems.  Dean Martin was 78 when he died of respiratory failure on Christmas Day, 1995.

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