When I was but a wee lad growing up in Yonkers, New York, my father
said that Mr. Piantadosi, the song writer, lived next door.  I never
forgot his remark, but only this year, while looking through my older
piano rolls, did the name come up again as composer of several rolls.
Now, some seventy years later, it was time for me to research Al
Piantadosi.  The best internet source I found was http://ragpiano.com/ 

It turns out that Al Piantadosi did not live next door -- his brother
George did.  While also working in real estate, George managed brother
Al's music publishing business in New York at the height of Tin Pan
Alley.  From 1906 into the 1930's, hits such as "The Curse of an Aching
Heart", "I Didn't Raise My Son to Be a Soldier", and "Pal of My Cradle
Days" were composed by Al with collaborators.

Wikipedia states that five of his hits sold "over one million copies"
each (perhaps sheet music).  I have rolls of his "Cow Bells", "We Must
Have a Song to Remember", and "I Want My Man".  Al was also a charter
member of ASCAP, the American Society of Composers, Authors, and
Publishers, begun in 1914.

During the 1940's, I knew (Winthrop) Win Brookhouse to occupy the home
next door.  And I've lately learned of his musical connection (and
perhaps friendship) with the Piantadosis.  Mr. Brookhouse (as I knew
him) worked for Columbia Records.  He would bring home surplus
pressings for my older sister to play on her 78 rpm phonograph.  The
musical "Red Mill" (1945) was one of them, I recall.

While he and Frank Davis composed "All Aboard for Chinatown",
Brookhouse also got together with Al for "Cumberland", a march.  It is
available on National Jukebox as played by the Victor Military Band.

A nephew, Arthur Piantadosi, distinguished himself as a sound engineer
in the movies.  He won a Best Sound award at the Oscars for his work on
the 1976 film "All the President's Men" and was nominated for six more.
He also won a BAFTA award for Best Sound on the film "Cabaret".

A casual remark by my father has led me to some interesting revelations
about the music industry early on.

Tom Sendall
Piney River, Virginia