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Anthony Poshepny

2025-08-22T17:27:48Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:D40:9F97:653B:82E0:

{{short description|American CIA paramilitary officer (1924–2003)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox military person
|name= Anthony Alexander Poshepny
|birth_date= {{Birth date|1924|09|18}}
|death_date= {{death date and age|2003|06|27|1924|09|18}}
|birth_place= [[Long Beach, California|Long Beach]], [[California]], U.S.
|death_place= [[California]], U.S.
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial_label= Place of burial
|alma_mater= [[San Jose State University]]
|allegiance= {{Flag|United States of America}}
|branch= {{Flagicon image|Flag of the United States Marine Corps.svg}} [[United States Marine Corps]] {{Flagicon image|Flag of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency.svg}} [[Central Intelligence Agency]]
|rank= [[File:USMC-E5.svg|15px]] [[Sergeant#Marine Corps|Sergeant]] (USMC) Paramilitary Operations Officer (CIA)
|unit= U.S. Marine Corps
* [[Paramarine|2nd Marine Parachute Battalion]]
* [[5th Marine Division]]
Central Intelligence Agency
* [[Special Activities Division]]
|battles= [[World War II]]
*[[Guadalcanal campaign]]
*[[Battle of Iwo Jima]]
[[Korean War]] [[Permesta|Permesta Rebellion]] [[Vietnam War]] [[Laotian Civil War]]
|awards= [[Intelligence Star|Intelligence Star (twice)]], [[Purple Heart|Purple Heart (twice)]], [[Air Force Commendation Medal]], [[Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal]], [[American Campaign Medal]], [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]], [[World War II Victory Medal]], [[Order of the Million Elephants and the White Parasol]], [[Order of the White Elephant]], [[List of orders and medals of Thailand|Border Service Medal (Thailand)]] [[Parachutist Badge (United States)|Parachutist Badge]]}}

'''Anthony Alexander Poshepny''' (September 18, 1924 – June 27, 2003), known as '''Tony Poe''', was an American [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] Paramilitary Operations Officer in what became the [[Special Activities Division]] (renamed Special Activities Center in 2016).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/05/04/measuring-change-at-the-cia/|title = Measuring Change at the CIA| date=May 4, 2016 }}</ref> He was known for controversial actions during his service in [[Laos]] with Special Guerilla Units (SGUs) under the command of General [[Vang Pao]], a U.S.-funded [[Laotian Civil War|secret army]] in Laos during the [[Vietnam War]], and may be one of the individuals who inspired the character [[Colonel Kurtz]] in the movie ''[[Apocalypse Now]]''.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kurlantzick|first1=Joshua|title='America In Laos' Traces The Militarization Of The CIA|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/01/23/511185078/america-in-laos-traces-the-militarization-of-the-cia|access-date=24 January 2017|work=Fresh Air|publisher=National Public Radio|date=23 January 2017|format=Interview}}</ref><ref name="Discover">{{Cite web|url=https://www.patpongmuseum.com/discover/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812230437/https://www.patpongmuseum.com/discover/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=August 12, 2020|title=Discover}}</ref> {{Better source needed|reason=Sources simply repeat unverified rumour.|date=November 2022}}{{notetag|Filmmaker [[Francis Ford Coppola]] himself denies that Poe was a primary influence and says the character was loosely based on Special Forces Colonel [[Robert B. Rheault]], who was the actual head of 5th Special Forces Group (May to July 1969), and whose 1969 arrest over the murder of suspected double agent [[Thai Khac Chuyen]] in [[Nha Trang]] generated substantial contemporary news coverage in the [[Green Beret Affair]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-11-17/news/agent-provocative/1 |title=Agent Provocative |work=[[SF Weekly]] |access-date=May 2, 2009 |last=Isaacs |first=Matt |date=November 17, 1999 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612061248/http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-11-17/news/agent-provocative/1 |archive-date=June 12, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>}}

==Early life and career==
Poshepny was born September 18, 1924, in [[Long Beach, California]], to John Charles and Isabel M. ({{nee}} Veriziano) Poshepny. His father was a [[United States Navy]] officer whose parents were immigrants from [[Bohemia]]. His mother was born in [[Guam]].<ref>US Census 1830, Vallejo, Solano Co., California, John C. Poshepny, Enumerator's District 48-49, Supervisor's District 5, Sheet 6B, line 86</ref> When he was eight years old, his nine-year-old brother John accidentally shot him in the stomach with the family rifle, and he nearly bled to death.<ref>{{Cite book|title=A Great Place to Have a War: America in Laos and the Birth of a Military CIA|last=Kurlantzick|first=Joshua|publisher=Simon & Schuster|year=2016|isbn=978-1-4516-6789-9|location=New York|page=23}}</ref>

Shortly after turning 18, he enlisted in the [[United States Marine Corps]] during [[World War II]], serving in the 2nd [[Paramarine|Marine Parachute]] Battalion and fighting in the [[5th Marine Division]] on [[Iwo Jima]].<ref name="Leary">{{cite web|last=Leary|first=William L.|title=Death of a Legend|work=Air America Archive|url=http://www.air-america.org/in-rememberance-1/anthony-tony-poe-poshepny.html|access-date=2007-06-10}}</ref>

He received the [[Purple Heart]] twice and was a [[Sergeant#Marine Corps|Sergeant]] by the time he was [[Military discharge#Honorable discharge|honorably discharged]]. Returning to civilian life, he enrolled at [[Saint Mary's College of California|Saint Mary's College]], before transferring to what is now [[San Jose State University]]. He contemplated going to work for the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]]. Graduating in 1950, he instead joined the CIA, where he was part of the first recruit class to receive all of its training at the new [[Camp Peary]].<ref name="Leary" /> He was active in [[Korea]] during the [[Korean War]], training refugees for [[sabotage]] missions in the North. He also trained anti-Communist forces for missions against China.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

Following the Korean war, Poshepny joined the [[Bangkok]]-based CIA front company Overseas Southeast Asia Supply (SEA Supply), which provided military equipment to [[Kuomintang]] forces based in [[Burma]]. In 1958, Poshepny tried unsuccessfully to arrange a military uprising against [[Sukarno]], the president of [[Indonesia]]. From 1958 to 1960, he trained different groups, including [[Tibet]]an [[Kham]]pas and [[Hui people|Hui]] [[Muslims]] at [[Camp Hale]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://scroll.in/article/952141/how-the-dalai-lama-staged-a-dramatic-escape-from-tibet-to-india-in-1959|title = How the Dalai Lama staged a dramatic escape from Tibet to India in 1959| date=February 5, 2020 }}</ref> for anti-government operations inside [[China]]. Carole McGranahan quotes Poe from an interview that the Tibetans he trained "... were the best I ever worked with."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.iu.edu/~iaunrc/sites/default/files/podcasts/Sept%2012%202015%20Carole%20McGranahan.mp3|title="Love and Empire: The CIA, the Dalai Lama, and Arrested Histories of the Tibetan Resistance Army"|last=McGranahan|first=Carole|date=12 September 2014|website=Indiana University, Inner Asian & Uralic National Resource Center, School of Global and International Studies, Hosted by the Center for American and Global Security|format=mp3 audio recording at minute 24.00|access-date=|quote=" We don't talk about that. No comment, no comment, no fucking comment, but those Khampas were the best people I ever worked with."}}</ref>

==Laos==
The CIA awarded Poshepny the [[Intelligence Star]] in 1959. Two years later, working under [[James William Lair]], he was assigned with [[J. Vinton Lawrence]] to train [[Hmong people|Hmong]] hill tribes in Laos to fight against the [[North Vietnam]]ese forces and the [[Pathet Lao]]. Poshepny's practices were described as barbaric when they later came to light. He paid Hmong fighters to bring him the ears of dead enemy soldiers, and on at least one occasion mailed a bag of ears to the U.S. Embassy in [[Vientiane]] to verify his body counts.<ref name="NPR1">{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2017/01/23/511185078/america-in-laos-traces-the-militarization-of-the-cia|title='America In Laos' Traces The Militarization Of The CIA|date=23 January 2017|publisher=NPR|access-date=24 January 2017}}</ref> He dropped severed heads onto enemy locations twice in a grisly [[PSYOPS|psy-op]].<ref name="NPR1"/> The CIA eventually extracted Poshepny from Laos in 1970 and assigned him to a training camp in Thailand until his retirement in 1974. He received another [[Intelligence Star]] in 1975.

==Retirement and death==
After the United States withdrew from Vietnam, Poshepny remained in Thailand with his Hmong wife and four children. He moved the family to California in the 1990s. He frequently appeared at Hmong veterans' gatherings and helped veterans immigrate and settle in the US. He defended his controversial acts during the war to reporters and historians, claiming they were necessary response to fight the war.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}} He died in [[California]] on June 27, 2003, aged 78. Prior to his death, he had joined others in calling for a memorial to the Hmong who had fought in Laos; the memorial was ultimately established in [[Arlington National Cemetery]] in 2018. An exhibit about Poshepny is on display at the Patpong Museum in Bangkok, Thailand.<ref name="Discover"/>

A number of press stories have implied that Poshepny was the model for [[Walter E. Kurtz|Colonel Walter Kurtz]] in the film ''[[Apocalypse Now]]'',<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ehrlich |first1=Richard S |title=CIA operative stood out in 'secret war' in Laos |url=http://www.geocities.com/asia_correspondent/laos0307ciaposhepnybp.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027182725/http://www.geocities.com/asia_correspondent/laos0307ciaposhepnybp.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-10-27 |access-date=24 January 2017 |work=Bangkok Post |date=2003-07-08 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Isaacs|first=Matt|title=Agent Provocative|journal=SF Weekly|date=1999-11-17|url=http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-11-17/news/agent-provocative/|access-date=2007-06-10}}</ref> {{Better source needed|reason=Sources simply repeat unverified rumour.|date=November 2022}} though director [[Francis Ford Coppola]] has denied this, citing [[Robert B. Rheault]] as the actual inspiration.

==See also==
*[[Air America (airline)|Air America]]
*[[Hmong people]]
*[[Laos Memorial]]
*[[Royal Lao Army]]
*[[Kingdom of Laos]]
*[[Lao Veterans of America]]
*[[North Vietnamese invasion of Laos]]

== Notes==
{{Notefoot}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Declassified reading==
*[http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/1_CIA_AND_THE_GENERALS.pdf CIA and the Generals] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130313053051/http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/1_CIA_AND_THE_GENERALS.pdf |date=March 13, 2013 }}, Covert Support to Military Government in South Vietnam
*[http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/2_CIA_AND_THE_HOUSE_OF_NGO.pdf CIA and the House of Ngo], Covert Action in South Vietnam, 1954–63
*[http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/3_CIA_AND_RURAL_PACIFICATION.pdf CIA and Rural Pacification]
*[http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/4_GOOD_QUESTIONS_WRONG_ANSWERS.pdf Good Questions, Wrong Answers] CIA's Estimates of Arms Traffic through Sihanoukville, Cambodia, During the Vietnam War.
*[http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/5_THE_WAY_WE_DO_THINGS.pdf The Way We Do Things] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304055335/http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/5_THE_WAY_WE_DO_THINGS.pdf |date=March 4, 2016 }}, Black Entry Operations into Northern Vietnam
*[http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/default/files/document_conversions/48/6_UNDERCOVER_ARMIES.pdf Undercover Armies], CIA and Surrogate Warfare in Laos

==Further reading==
*{{cite book|last=Warner|first=Roger|title=Shooting at the Moon|year=1996|publisher=Steerforth Press |isbn=1-883642-36-1}}
* ''Vietnam'' Magazine, August 2006
* [https://www.travel-news-photos-stories.com/2022/08/patpong-museum-who-was-coppolas-real.html Tony Poe biography from Patpong Museum]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Poshepny, Anthony}}
[[Category:1924 births]]
[[Category:2003 deaths]]
[[Category:Saint Mary's College of California alumni]]
[[Category:San Jose State University alumni]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officers]]
[[Category:American military personnel of the Korean War]]
[[Category:CIA personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:People of the Laotian Civil War]]
[[Category:American expatriates in Laos]]
[[Category:American expatriates in Thailand]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Silver Star]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Intelligence Star]]

Ronnie Gaylord

2025-08-22T16:56:25Z

2A02:8012:227B:0:D40:9F97:653B:82E0:

{{short description|American singer, songwriter, pantomimer and comedian}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ronnie Gaylord
| image = The Gaylords 1960.JPG
| alt = Two men in suits and bowties smile and pose, with Ronnie Gaylord leaning above Burt Holiday. There is a small yellow box in the bottom corner identifying them as The Gaylords.
| caption = Gaylord (top) and partner Burt Holiday in 1960
| birth_name = Ronald L. Fredianelli
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1930|06|12}}
| birth_place = [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]], USA
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2004|01|25|1930|06|12}}
| death_place = [[Las Vegas]], [[Nevada]], USA
| other_names = Ronnie Vincent
| occupation =
| years_active = 1950s—2004
| known_for = [[The Gaylords (American vocal group)|The Gaylords]] [[Gaylord and Holiday]]
| notable_works =
}}

'''Ronnie Gaylord''' (born Ronald Fredianelli; June 12, 1930, [[Detroit]]—January 25, 2004, [[Las Vegas]]) was an Italian-American musician, songwriter, [[pantomime]]r, and comedian best known as a member of the band [[The Gaylords (American vocal group)|The Gaylords]] and the music/comedy duo [[Gaylord and Holiday]].<ref name=shane/><ref name=top>{{cite news|author=|date=1954-02-21|title=Old Italian song put Gaylords at the top|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/402177415/|work=Dayton Daily News|location=Dayton, OH|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Among their many hits are "[[Tell Me You're Mine]]", "[[From the Vine Came the Grape]]", and "[[The Little Shoemaker]]".<ref name=shane/><ref name=farnan>{{cite news|last=Farnan|first=Jackie|date=1976-06-10|title=Good blend of music, comedy|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/136946660/|work=Democrat and Chronicle|location=Rochester, NY|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=phillips/> He adopted the stage name Ronnie Gaylord in the 1950s after going by Ronnie Vincent for a brief period.<ref name=headline>{{cite news|author=|date=1953-12-12|title=Vocal group on TV show|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/98370605/|work=Detroit Free Press|location=Detroit, MI|access-date=2022-01-01|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

==Biography==
===Early life===
Gaylord was born Ronald L. "Ronnie" Fredianelli on June 12, 1930, in [[Detroit]] to Joseph and Florence (née Antico) Fredianelli.<ref name=hartman>{{cite news|last=Hartman|first=Forrest|date=2004-01-27|title=Nevada showroom singer dies at 73|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/149876213/|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=mother>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?dbid=60872&h=394600&indiv=try&o_vc=Record:OtherRecord&rhSource=9093|title=Florence Fredianelli in the Michigan, U.S., Death Records, 1867-1952|date=1932|publisher=Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics|via=ancestry.com|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref><ref name=quit/><ref name=bio>{{cite book|last=Betts|first=Graham|title=Motown Encyclopedia|url={{Google books|RG_LAwAAQBAJ|page=42|plainurl=yes}}|page=42}}</ref><ref name=death/> His mother died of [[pulmonary tuberculosis]] in 1932; his father remarried Frances (née Graziana) in 1937.<ref name=mother/><ref>{{cite news|author=|date=2000-02-04|title=Fredianelli|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/100087068/|work=Detroit Free Press|location=Detroit, MI|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=9093&h=1177859&ssrc=pt&tid=179965783&pid=192341965836&usePUB=true|title=Mr Joseph Fredianelli in the Michigan, U.S., Marriage Records, 1867-1952|date=1937|publisher=Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics|via=ancestry.com|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref> Gaylord is Italian on both sides:<ref name=shane>{{cite news|last=Shane|first=Maxine F.|date=1971-04-02|title=Reno-based comedy act may get major tv break|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/150665130/|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=farnan/><ref name=whacky/> his father was born in [[Villa Basilica|Boveglio]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/268512490:2238|title=Joseph Anthony Fredianelli in the U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947|date=1940|publisher=U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947|via=ancestry.com|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref> and his mother's parents were from [[Naples]].<ref name=mother/>

Gaylord grew up in the same east side Detroit neighborhood as [[Burt Holiday|Bonaldo Bonaldi]] (later known as Burt Holiday),<ref name=morgan/><ref name=phillips/> purportedly his cousin,<ref name=kleiner>{{cite news|last=Kleiner|first=Dick|date=1953-06-24|title=The Marquee|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/623619373/|work=The Pomona Progress Bulletin|location=Pomona, CA|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and they both attended the [[University of Detroit Mercy]] to study pre-law.<ref name=whacky>{{cite news|last=Blum|first=Walter|date=1963-12-22|title=The whacky songs of two paisanos|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/458713459/|work=The San Francisco Examiner|location=San Francisco, CA|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1947, while still students, Bonaldi and Gaylord (then still known as Fredianelli) formed a musical group called the Gay Lords with classmate [[Don Rea]].<ref name=phillips/><ref name=private/> They performed on campus and in clubs around Detroit; a newspaper misprinted their name from the Gay Lords to the Gaylords, which they took on.<ref name=private/><ref name=phillips>{{cite news|last=Phillips|first=Perry|date=1987-10-06|title=Night Sounds|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/758424278/|work=Oakland Tribune|location=Oakland, CA|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=morgan/> Gaylord finished two years of law school before quitting to tour with the band.<ref name=barnard>{{cite news|last=Barnard|first=Ken|date=1962-12-07|title=What's in a name? Not the Gaylords|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/98638657/|work=Detroit Free Press|location=Detroit, MI|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=quit/>

===Career===
The first hit by the Gaylords was "[[Tell Me You're Mine]]" which hit #2 on the music charts upon its release in 1952.<ref name=bio/> The record sold more than 1.2 million copies and was a [[Music recording certification|gold record]].<ref name=masullo/><ref name=blend>{{cite news|author=|date=1964-02-07|title=Gaylord & Holiday provide 'perfect blend' at Harvey's|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/151446792|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> This was an Italian love song, "Per un Bacio d'Amore", with English lyrics written by the band and "an upbeat chorus".<ref name=masullo/> Singing popular Italian songs in English, and popular English songs in Italian, continued to be a part of the Gaylords' style throughout their career.<ref name=phillips/><ref name=blend/><ref>{{cite news|author=|date=1961-06-16|title=Six acts featured at Wagon Wheel, Tahoe|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/149781060/|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

Not long after, Gaylord was drafted into the [[Korean War]]; he finished [[Recruit training|basic]] at [[Camp Atterbury]] and was subsequently assigned to the [[Special Services (entertainment)|Special Services]].<ref name=shane/><ref name=hartman/><ref name=harveys/><ref name=death/> He sang with the military band, did a number of singing commercials, and continued to produce music as a solo artist for [[Mercury Records]].<ref name=death/><ref name=hartman/><ref name=private/><ref name=whacky/> His hit song "Cuddle Me" was in the ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'' Top 20 Singles between March and May 1954.<ref>{{cite book|last=McAleer|first=Dave|title=The Book of Hit Singles: Top 20 Charts from 1954 to the Present Day|url={{Google books|Li2Aili31pcC|plainurl=yes}}}}</ref><ref name=hartman/> He guest starred on the Army-sponsored radio show ''Club 31'' and, in addition to "Cuddle Me", recorded "Coquette" and "Tell Me You Love Me Tonight".<ref name=private>{{cite news|last=Freers|first=Jackie|date=1953-06-24|title=Pvt. Ronnie Gaylord waxes hits on passes|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/311419077/|work=The Indianapolis News|location=Indianapolis, IN|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Green|first=Ann|date=1953-06-29|title=Entirely Personal|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/129005573/|work=The Republic|location=Columbus, IN|access-date=2022-01-01|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

He was discharged from the military in 1958 and returned to the Gaylords, where he had been temporarily replaced by [[Billy Christ]].<ref name=top/><ref name=kleiner/><ref name=death/> After a brief split between Gaylord and Holiday, they reunited and began rebuilding the band to its success before the war.<ref name=kleiner/><ref name=shane/><ref name=harveys/><ref name=hartman/> The following year, Bonaldi and Gaylord moved to Nevada together to work on the lounge circuit, a gig that was quite popular at the time.<ref name=kohn/><ref name=spencer>{{cite news|last=Spencer|first=Harry|date=2004-01-30|title=Memory|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/149885221|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=phillips/> In the 1960s, they began billing as both a music and comedy duo.<ref name=morgan/> Their sets variously included poking fun at the city (when they were traveling); taking up stereotypical Italian personas and putting them in improbable situations; and impressions of other musicians, including [[The Mills Brothers]], [[Elvis Presley]], and [[Sonny and Cher]].<ref name=shane/><ref>{{cite news|author=|date=1961-06-02|title=Six groups featured at Wagon Wheel|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/149731396/|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=masullo/><ref name=morgan>{{cite news|last=Morgan|first=Cynthia L.|date=1975-08-09|title=Comedy duo drawing on area humor|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/676727050/|work=The Kansas City Times|location=Kansas City, MO|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> Gaylord wrote "I'll Trade You Laughter For Love" for fellow lounge circuit performer [[Don Rickles]], who eventually used the song as his "theme song".<ref name=phillips/> In 1966, they performed at [[Frank Sinatra|Frank Sinatra's]] wedding to [[Mia Farrow]].<ref name=sinatra>{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2003/jan/14/lords-of-las-vegas-with-more-than-50-years-of-expe/|title=Lords of Las Vegas: With more than 50 years of experience, Gaylords have seen it all|date=2003-01-14|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=2022-01-01}}</ref> Rea, who had been an accompanying part of the Gaylords for several years, officially left the band in 1975.<ref name=bio/>

In the 1960s and 1970s, Gaylord appeared on a number of [[variety show]]s while the genre was at its peak, most of the time with Holiday but at times on his own.<ref name=masullo>{{cite news|last=Masullo|first=Robert|date=1986-06-23|title=Movie project, tape put spotlight on Gaylords|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/622539807/|work=The Sacramento Bee|location=Sacramento, CA|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> These appearances include ''[[The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour]]'',<ref name=farnan/> ''[[The Hollywood Palace]]'',<ref name=harveys/> ''Moving Wheels'',<ref name=shane/> ''[[The Johnny Carson Show]]'',<ref name=harveys/> ''[[Headline Hunters (American TV series)|Headline Hunters]]'',<ref name=headline/> ''Melodies and Money'',<ref name=masullo/> ''[[The Flip Wilson Show]]'',<ref name=kohn>{{cite news|last=Kohn|first=Martin F.|date=1999-05-18|title='Sunshine Boys' really live the part|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/100057564/|work=Detroit Free Press|location=Detroit, MI|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> ''[[Jukebox Jury (TV series)|Jukebox Jury]]'',<ref>{{cite news|author=|date=1954-03-13|title=TV Magie|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/580405059/|work=Valley Times|location=North Hollywood, CA|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and ''[[The Ford Show]]''.<ref name=barnard/> In 1965, the two were working on a pilot for their own TV show, but it never came to fruition.<ref name=harveys>{{cite news|author=|date=1965-11-12|title=Gaylord and Holiday at Harvey's Pavilion|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/148258385|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>
In 1985, they created ''Famiglia'', described by Holiday as "an Italian ''Fiddler on the Roof''", written by Gaylord.<ref name=masullo/> The film was eventually converted into a musical for stage.<ref name=pinchot>{{cite web|url=http://www2.sharonherald.com/localnews/recentnews/9807/ln072398i.html|title=Gaylord's autobiographical show is really a musical 'Famiglia' affair|date=1998-07-23|publisher=The Herald|last=Pinchot|first=Joe|access-date=2021-12-31}}</ref> It follows the lives of a three-generation Italian family, starring Gaylord as the middle generation; Holiday as his father; and Gaylord's son Tony as his son.<ref name=pinchot/> His wife Terry and son Ron Jr. also appear.<ref name=pinchot/>

In addition to playing guitar, violin, bass, banjo, and mandolin, Gaylord was a talented songwriter who wrote a number of hits,<ref name=shane/><ref name=death/> including "Cuddle Me" (performed by Gaylord);<ref name=copyright>{{cite book|author= Library of Congress. Copyright Office|title=Catalog of Copyright Entries|url={{Google books|hTUhAQAAIAAJ|page=92|plainurl=yes}}|page=92}}</ref> "Oh, Am I Lonely?" (performed by Gaylord);<ref name=copyright/> "I'll Trade You Laughter For Love" (performed by [[Don Rickles]]);<ref name=phillips/> "[[Glen Travis Campbell (album)|I Will Never Pass This Way Again]]" (performed by [[Glen Campbell]]),<ref name=pinchot/> and "Wondering!" (performed by [[The Gaylords (American vocal group)|The Gaylords]]).<ref>{{cite news|last=Trulock|first=Harold|date=1953-10-22|title=Mariners set sail with 'Mama'|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/311445174|work=The Indianapolis News|location=Indianapolis, IN|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

Gaylord continued performing until the end; his last gig was in Michigan just four months before his death in January 2004.<ref name=hartman/>

===Personal life===
Gaylord stayed in the [[Las Vegas]]/[[Reno, Nevada|Reno]] area from the time he and Holiday moved there in 1959 until his death.<ref name=masullo/><ref name=kohn/><ref name=barnard/><ref name=morgan/> He had two children, Ronald Jr. (1956-2022) and Melissa, with his first wife, Teena,<ref name=quit>{{cite news|author=|title=Popular singer trains at camp|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/95909209/|work=The Franklin Evening Star|location=Franklin, IN|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|author=|title=A membership luncheon|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/79040219/|work=Nevada State Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and three, Christopher (1967-2025), Anthony, and Tiffany, with his second wife, Terry (1942-2023), who he was with for 35 years.<ref name=kohn/><ref name=hartman/><ref name=sinatra/>

Four of five children are or were involved in show business.<ref name=pinchot/> Tony was the guitarist for [[Third Eye Blind]] until 2010<ref name=death/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/third-eye-blind-ordered-pay-650001/|title=Third Eye Blind Ordered to Pay $448K to Former Guitarist|last=Gardner|first=Eriq|date=2013-10-22|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2021-12-31}}</ref> and previously played with heavy metal band [[Apocrypha (band)|Apocrypha]] and cover band [[Loveshack (cover band)|Loveshack]];<ref name=hartman/><ref name=pinchot/> Tiffany sang at [[Texas Station]] with [[Loveshack (cover band)|Loveshack]] and at [[MGM Grand Las Vegas]] with [[Venus (American band)|Venus]];<ref name=death/> Ron Jr. filled his father's role in Gaylord and Holiday;<ref>{{cite news|last=Jackson|first=Dana|date=2006-11-05|title=The Gaylords do music, comedy|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/363456571/|work=Detroit Free Press|location=Detroit, MI|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=bio/> and Chris is a musician.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://lasvegasweekly.com/ae/2008/jul/10/sparkle-dim-and-fade-black/|title=SPARKLE … DIM … AND FADE TO BLACK|last=Seabaugh|date=2012-01-07|publisher=Las Vegas Weekly|access-date=2021-01-01}}</ref> Chris died of cancer in April 2025; Melissa, his eldest daughter, is a teacher.<ref>{{cite news|author=|date=2000-05-28|title=Runners-up|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/149403460/|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2022-01-01|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> He was also survived by his grandchildren Jaime Fredianelli-Lessig<ref>{{cite news|author=|date=2002-04-21|title=Marriage licenses|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/150317906/|work=Reno Gazette-Journal|location=Reno, NV|access-date=2022-01-01|via=newspapers.com}}</ref> and Joseph Fredianelli, and great-grandchildren Jared Phillips and Kaylee Lessig.<ref name=hartman/>

When not performing, Gaylord enjoyed painting, sketching, sculpting, and collecting cars.<ref name=hartman/><ref>{{cite news|last=Wasserman|first=Jack|date=1963-06-26|title=Reporter's notebook|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/491919494/|work=The Vancouver Sun|location=Vancouver, BC|access-date=2021-12-31|via=newspapers.com}}</ref>

Gaylord died on January 25, 2004, in his Las Vegas home following an eight-year battle with cancer.<ref name=spencer/><ref name=death>{{cite web|url=https://lasvegassun.com/news/2004/jan/28/fredianelli-founder-of-gaylords-dies/|title=Fredianelli, founder of Gaylords, dies|last1=Rawlyk|first1=Heather|last2=Koch|first2=Ed|date=2004-01-28|publisher=Las Vegas Sun|access-date=2021-12-31}}</ref><ref name=hartman/> He hid his diagnosis from everyone, including his wife Terry and partner Burt, for as long as he could so he could continue performing.<ref name=hartman/>

==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gaylord, Ronnie}}
[[Category:1930 births]]
[[Category:2004 deaths]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American male pop singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:20th-century American male singers]]
[[Category:Singers from Detroit]]
[[Category:Comedians from Detroit]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Detroit]]
[[Category:Comedians from Las Vegas]]
[[Category:Musicians from Las Vegas]]
[[Category:Musicians from Reno, Nevada]]
[[Category:Pseudonymous comedians]]
[[Category:American male comedians]]
[[Category:Comedians from Nevada]]
[[Category:20th-century American comedians]]
[[Category:American comedy musicians]]
[[Category:American sketch comedians]]
[[Category:American military personnel of the Korean War]]