Russ Colombo (January 14, 1908 – September 2, 1934), was an American baritone, songwriter, violinist and actor. He is famous for romantic ballads such as his signature tune “You Call It Madness, But I Call It Love” and his own compositions “Prisoner of Love” and “Too Beautiful For Words.” Columbo was born in Camden, New Jersey, the twelfth child of Italian immigrant parents, Nicola and Giulia (Julia) Colombo. He attended Everett Grammar School and started playing the violin at a very young age and debuted professionally at the age of 13. By 1928, at the age of 20, Columbo began to participate in motion pictures, including a Vitaphone short in which Columbo appeared as a member of Gus Arnheim and His Orchestra.
Russ Colombo
