Festa Italiana picks Phil Vassar as headliner

CREATED Jul. 9, 2012 - UPDATED: Jul. 9, 2012

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MILWAUKEE - On the day following the end of Summerfest, Festa Italiana announced its main headliner for the 2012 festival.

Phil Vassar was announced as the headliner.

He has 19 singles including two-number one Billboard hits.

"We love Milwaukee.  It's a great place," said Vassar, who has performed several times at Summerfest.

The last time a festival announced a secret music act in Milwaukee, it was for Harley-Davidson's 100th Anniversary celebration, and Elton John was the now-often criticized performer.

"We're way better than Elton John!" Vassar kidded.  More seriously, the singer-pianist said "I love Elton John."

Festa Italiana is set to run between July 19th and 22nd on the Summerfest Grounds.