Jerry Vale: A Singer's Life

by Richard Gruden, Buddy Hackett (foreword)

It's Jerry Vale's wondrous story of his life as a kid from teeming Bronx streets of the 1940s to his legendary appearances in the great theatrical venues of America, and his triumphant Carnegie Hall concerts, and appearances at New York's Cocacabana and Las Vegas Hotels and nightclubs whose magnificent voice has beautifully interpreted the 20th century's most beautiful songs for his millions of fans. This is also the story of the rejections, the panic, the victories, the backstage portraits, the big break, the heartbreak, the heights and the depths, and all the other complexities that make up the unique profession called show business. There are the relationships to the great and the near Sinatra, Rickles, Hackett, Dean Martin, Jimmy Durante, Mickey Mantle, Pete Rose, Jayne Mansfield, Robert Goulet, Al Martino, and the great Joe DiMaggio. His story is illuminating and insightful, without complaint of regret, a charming an refreshing glimpse of a sturdy, passionate, music-loving, vital hitmaker, who is still working at his craft. This is the book Jerry Vale fans have been waiting for.

199 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2000