Al Caiola

In the early 1970s he continued on the Avalanche Recordings label, producing similar work including the album Theme From the 'Magnificent 7 Ride' '73. Later, on other labels, came some ethnic-themed instrumental albums such as In a Spanish Mood in 1982, and Italian instrumentals.

Caiola played on such hits as Paul Anka's "Put Your Head on My Shoulder," Neil Sedaka's "Calendar Girl," Bobby Darin's "Mack the Knife" and "Splish-Splash," Simon & Garfunkel's "Mrs. Robinson," Johnny Mathis' "Chances Are," Del Shannon's "Runaway" and Ben E. King's "Stand by Me." Caiola's version of the theme song from the NBC Western Bonanza reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 list, and his take on the Magnificent Seven theme, from the 1960 film known for its Elmer Bernstein score, got as high as No. 35. Both were instrumentals released in 1961. He also played on the Experiment in Terror theme written by Henry Mancini's for the 1962 Blake Edwards thriller that starred Lee Remick and Glenn Ford. Caiola worked with fledgling star Barbra Streisand in a Columbia Records session and also played alongside Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tony Bennett, Buddy Holly, Sarah Vaughan, Rosemary Clooney, Petula Clark and Glen Campbell. He toured with Sinatra in 1991 and had a decades-long association with Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme.

He released some minor records under his own name in that decade. In addition, he performed under the musical direction of John Serry Sr. on an album for Dot Records in 1956 (Squeeze Play).

Caiola was a studio musician in the 1950s in New York City.

Al Caiola was born on September 7, 1920 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA as Alexander Emil Caiola. He was married to Rosalie Fiocco.