Louis Vincent Albano — 1933 – 2009 — R.I.P.
Professional wrestling has lost one of its true legends, Captain Lou Albano. As with many wrestling fans I was introduced to Lou Albano during the Rock-n-Wrestling days of the WWF (now WWE) as well as his appearances in Cindi Lauper music videos and managing the British Bulldogs. Unfortunately I never had the opportunity to watch him much before that era when he was managing such wrestlers the Wild Samoans (Afa & Sika), Don Muraco and “the Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff much less when he was one half of the tag team known as The Sicilians with Tony Altimore. However even though none of the syndicated wrestling programs in the areas I lived as a kid ever showed anything of Albano’s I was aware of him and his unique appearance via various wrestling magazines I purchased starting in the late 60s. One interesting fact I learned while reading various news reports of his death was that Albano played college football on a scholarship at the University of Tennessee.
Lou Albano was definitely one of a kind. A phrase often used in wrestling promos comes to mind: “Often imitated but never duplicated.” I don’t know of the origin of that phrase but it definitely fit Lou Albano perfectly.
My prayers and condolences go out to the family and friends of Captain Lou Albano.
