Early life Gaylord was born Ronald L. Fredianelli on June 12, 1930, in
Detroit to Joseph and Florence (née Antico) Fredianelli. Gaylord was Italian on both sides: and his mother's parents were from
Naples. They both attended the
University of Detroit Mercy to study pre-law. 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. This was an Italian love song, "Per un Bacio d'Amore", with English lyrics written by the band and "an upbeat chorus". Not long after, Gaylord was drafted into the
Korean War; he finished
basic at
Camp Atterbury and was subsequently assigned to the
Special Services. He was discharged from the military in 1958 and returned to the Gaylords, where he had been temporarily replaced by
Billy Christ. 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". Rea, who had been an accompanying part of the Gaylords for several years, officially left the band in 1975. These appearances include
The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour,
Jukebox Jury, and
The Ford Show. In 1985, they created
Famiglia, described by Holiday as "an Italian
Fiddler on the Roof", written by Gaylord. 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. "Oh, Am I Lonely?" (performed by Gaylord); Gaylord continued performing until the end; his last gig was in Michigan just four months before his death in January 2004. and three, Christopher (1967-2025), Anthony, and Tiffany, with his second wife, Terry (1942-2023), who he was with for 35 years. and previously played with heavy metal band
Apocrypha and cover band
Loveshack; Melissa, his eldest daughter, is a teacher. ==Later years and death==