Spinelli, real name 'Philip Spallino' or "Big Mike" as he was known, was born in Agropoli, Italy. After his arrival in the U.S. he settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where he took up residence at 267 Braddock Avenue, Turtle Creek. He became involved in the American Mafia as an enforcer for the Pittsburgh crime family under Mafia boss John Bazzano, with whom he allied himself in an effort to dominate the regions criminal operations.