~Jerry Vale Biography~
 BORN: July 8, 1932, New York, NY [The Bronx

Celebrated for his light Italian baritone, singer Jerry Vale was

among the most successful pop stylists of the late 1950s and early 1960s. Born Genaro Louis Vitaliano in the Bronx, New York on July 8, 1932, Vale studied the piano and worked as a shoeshine boy during his school years; after graduating, he accepted a job in an electrical component factory, and sang in his spare hours.

Upon winning a talent contest at the famed Clubdel Rio, he enjoyed a year-long residency at the nightspot, which led to a stint at New York City's Enchanted Room; there Vale was discovered by Guy Mitchell, who recommended him to Columbia Records A&R chief Mitch Miller. His first hit for the label was 1953's "You Can Never Give Me Back My Heart," on which Vale was backed by Percy Faith and His Orchestra; a series of smash singles followed over the remainder of the decade, among them "Two Purple Shadows," "I Live Each Day," "Innamorata" and  "You Don't Know Me." 

Even as rock & roll began to enjoy nearly complete chart dominance, Vale continued to score hits well into the 1960s with singles like his 1961 signature song "Al Di La" and 1964's "Have You Looked Into Your Heart?" 

He also notched a half-dozen charting LPs between 1963 and 1966. In the years to  follow he moved into television and the club circuit, regularlyperforming Las Vegas.

~ Jason Ankeny, All-Music Guide ~