Joseph Gallo, also referred to as "Crazy Joe", was a notoriously infamous Italian-American mobster and Caporegime of the Colombo crime family in New York City, having been born on April 7, 1929. His life, unfortunately, was forever marred by the diagnosis of schizophrenia that he received following an arrest in his youth. Nevertheless, despite this significant personal challenge, Gallo went on to become a formidable enforcer in the Profaci crime family, ultimately forming his own crew, which included his brothers, Larry and Albert.
In the year 1957, a pivotal and intriguing request was made by Joe Profaci, reportedly to Gallo and his associates, in which he allegedly implored them to carry out a heinous and illicit act, specifically the murder of Albert Anastasia, the notorious and powerful leader of the Gambino crime family.
Concurrently, Anastasia, a man of great notoriety and influence within the criminal underworld, met his untimely demise on October 25, 1957, at a seemingly ordinary barber shop, situated in the heart of midtown Manhattan, amidst the bustling streets of New York City.
This fateful event, marked by violence and betrayal, would have far-reaching and profound implications for the delicate and often treacherous landscape of organized crime, forever altering the dynamics of power and influence within the criminal underworld.
In the year 1961, the Gallo brothers, driven by a desire to improve their financial situation, resorted to extreme measures by taking four of Profaci's most trusted associates, namely Joseph Magliocco, Frank Profaci, Salvatore Musacchia, and John Scimone, into custody.
As the days turned into weeks, a series of tense negotiations ensued between the Gallos and Profaci, with the latter's consigliere, Charles "the Sidge" LoCicero, playing a pivotal role in the discussions.
Ultimately, Profaci and LoCicero agreed to a compromise, which led to the peaceful release of the hostages.
However, this dramatic event had far-reaching consequences, giving rise to the First Colombo War, a period of intense violence and power struggles within the Colombo crime family.
Joseph Gallo's life was characterized by a intricate network of strategic partnerships, intense rivalries, and brutal confrontations that would ultimately culminate in his demise on the seventh day of April, 1972.
