The tradition of the Italian/American balladeer has proven a potent and enduring one in American pop music culture. Vocalists like Perry Como, Vic Damone, Jerry Vale, Frank Sinatra, Al Martino, Buddy Greco, Tony Bennett and Frankie Valli have all maintained this strong tradition throughout the years. Yet none of these stars has been able to do what Dean Martin did, to prevail simultaneously as a star of stage, movies, television and records. Sinatra came close, but he failed to conquer television. Dean Martin was in a class by himself, one of the multi-media entertainment giants of the 20th century.