Jerry Vale

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Jerry Vale (b. July 8, 1932) is an American singer.

He was born Gennaro Luigi Vitaliano in the borough of The Bronx in New York City. In high school, in order to make some money, he took a job shining shoes in a barbershop in New York City. He sang while he shined shoes, and his boss liked the sound so well that he paid for music lessons for the boy. Enjoying the lessons, Jerry started singing in high school musicals and at a local club. This led to additional club dates, including one that lasted for three years at a club in the suburb of Yonkers, New York, just north of the city. When Paul Insetta, (who was a road manager for Guy Mitchell and a hit songwriter) heard him there, he signed him to a management contract, changed his name, and further coached his singing voice. He then arranged for Jerry Vale to record some demonstration records of songs that he had written, and brought these demos to Columbia Records. Jerry Vale then signed a contract with Columbia Records and Paul Insetta managed his career for many years.

Jerry and Rita, his wife of 41 years, reside in Los Angeles. His autobiography, A Singer's Life, was published in 2000 by Celebrity Profiles, Long Island, New York.