Steubenville: Dean Martin Mecca

Town Revels In Being The Birthplace Of Legendary Crooner And Rat-Packer

(CBS) 
Martin made 55 films, 16 with Jerry Lewis. He had his own TV variety show. He recorded hundreds of songs and was known as the Beatles buster, able to knock even the Fab Four from the top of the charts.

"The Spot" bar is a Dino landmark where he was the singer and croupier of the craps game in the back room. He sang there and ate at the Naples spaghetti house and his fans still do. Angelica said it's easy to understand why Martin was so cool, just look at where he grew up.

"Everybody in Steubenville's cool," she said. "We're so cool here. This is coolville."

Dino was considered the coolest member of the ultra-cool rat pack. Sinatra: hot. Dean: cool.

"I remember when he introduced me to Elvis Presley, And Elvis says, 'You know, they call me the King of Rock and Roll. But your Father is the King of Cool,'" Martin's daughter Deana Martin said. "And I went 'Oh my gosh! Elvis Presley said that Dad's the King of Cool!' But we all knew that he was the King of Cool. He was cool at home."

There were other royals at the festival, like cousin Archie, who everybody says is the spitting image of Dino.

"I'm older than him I'd say he looks like me," Archie Crochetti said. "He had a pretty big nose at one time then he got it doctored up a little bit."

But it was princess Deana, who reigned over all Steubenville, signing her book and CD at Krogers.

Later, Deana sang her father's songs in a lavish production, performing before a house packed with fans. Angelica said the town is almost a cult of Dino.

"Some people have basically real shrines in their homes," she said. "They have candles with pictures on the walls."

[ma626-2009]

June...my favorite time of year. Fun at the Spot. Joe has brought great entertainers in to pay tribute to Dino! Remember Thursday nights watching the Dean Martin Show with my family.
Great Story. Would love to get the video.

[deanmartin52]

Hey pallies, like this is just such a way cool Dinostory. Long live our Master of Hip, our King of Cool, the one, the only Dino!!!! BTW, it would be like so great to have this Dinostory put up on your vids. Thanks for keeping the Dinolegacy Dinoalive and Dinowell. Dino's the man, and I am his fan.

[mjv2944]

Always liked him caused he wouldn't kiss Sinatra's as-! He was one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Sure could use a couple like him today.

[badger993]

Great piece! Please post the video. Thank you!

[earlbaldwin-2009]

Ny wife and I really enjoyed the segment that you did on Stenbenville: Dean Martin Mecca. Is there any way that we can purchase a tape of that segment.