Victor Giardino’s passion for music began in the 1950s after seeing Elvis Presley perform on The Ed Sullivan Show when he was just five or six years old. That moment inspired a lifelong dedication to the guitar. By age 10 or 11, Victor began formal lessons at the Labriola Music School, but after few months an uninspiring early experience, he temporarily put his instrument aside. At 14, realizing that music—not simply socializing—was his true calling, he committed himself fully to becoming a serious guitarist.

Victor studied under Frank Malz (The stage name was Ed Murphy ), a highly respected professional guitarist who performed with the RKO NBC Orchestra during the 1930s live radio programming and worked alongside singer Rudy Vallee. Under this mentorship, Victor practiced relentlessly—four hours a day without missing a day for over two years. His progress was so rapid that within four months, his parents were advised that he needed a professional-grade guitar.

By 1965, Victor was already performing professionally, playing paid engagements at VFW halls, Knights of Columbus events, and restaurants. In 1967, his band The Early 4 became the house band for the summer at the Gold Star Go-Go Bar. As members later left for college and military service, Victor continued performing with evolving lineups.

In 1969, he helped form The Gift Shoppe, a high-energy band featuring a brass section. The group opened shows for major national acts including Chicago Transit Authority, Genya Ravan with Ten Wheel Drive, Rhinoceros, and Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels, Ex-Blues Project member  Tommy Flanders and recorded original material for Mercury Records. As typical musicians egos got in the way, the band eventually disbanded.

Throughout the mid 1970s, Victor remained active as a professional musician, performing extensively at weddings and banquets. Although financially successful, he eventually stepped away from performing after relocating to Florida.

In 1991,  he did nothing for 2 years, Through a chance connection in 1993, he was invited to rehearse with The Five Boroughs, a nationally recognized doo-wop group. Following a single rehearsal, bandleader Frankie Iovino invited him to join. Within a week, Victor was performing at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, sharing the stage with legends such as The Drifters and The Coasters. The Five Boroughs both opened for and served as the backing band for national touring acts, leading to over 25 years of performances across Las Vegas, Southern California, and Beverly Hills.

In the late 1990s, Victor also performed internationally in Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia on vacation. Today, he continues to perform, bringing to life the music and spirit of legendary artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Santana and The Ventures Always willing to jam.