- Born
- DiedApril 20, 2002 · Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA (cardiac arrest after long hospitalization with an infection)
- Birth nameAldo Sigismondi
- The man many consider to have possessed the greatest voice ever in popular music, Alan Dale had a career that spanned three decades and 16 record labels. At age 17 he was a big-band vocalist, first with Carmen Cavallaro, then George Paxton. In 1948 he achieved stardom via CBS' musical quiz show Sing It Again (1950) (this is the program referred to in the James Stewart film Pot o' Gold (1941))). His own The Alan Dale Show (1948) (Dumont and CBS) was the first television program kinescoped for showing in other parts of the country.
By 1951 Dale was one of the hottest singers around. Then fate dealt him a terrible blow. Overwork, combined with unhappy events in his private life, aggravated an ulcer condition, and he collapsed during one of his live TV shows. By the time he had recovered his health he had lost all of his shows. His climb back began with old friend Bob Thiele, then A&R chief of Coral Records. Previously, Thiele had produced many of Alan's hits, and proceeded to do so again with "Oh, Marie", "I'm Sorry", "Cherry Pink", "Sweet and Gentle" and "Rockin the Cha Cha". The success of the latter led to Dale's starring in the 1957 film Don't Knock the Rock (1956). Unfortunately, the dark and seamy side of show business eventually caused Alan to become disillusioned (as detailed in his autobiography "The Spider and the Marionettes") and, quite deliberately, he gradually faded from the spotlight. Which is our loss, because Alan Dale was one of the very best (Mel Tormé mentioned him in his book "My Singing Teachers"), and he deserves to be rediscovered, just as Tony Bennett has been.- IMDb Mini Biography By: <frasuer@yahoo.com> (qv's & corrections by A. Nonymous)
- SpouseHedy Bachtinger Dale(? - April 20, 2002) (his death)
- In 1955 he was approached by producers who were planning a film on the life of legendary crooner Russ Columbo, who was a major romantic idol in the early 1930s. Columbo was in the midst of a well publicized romance with Carole Lombard (which her studio was said to be strongly against) when he was killed in a bizarre shooting "accident" at the age of 26. Dale's voice had a quality reminiscent of the ill-fated singer's, and in view of the dramatic facts of Columbo's life, a picture about him seemed a good bet. For some unknown reason the project never materialized.
- In 1953 gossip columns reported that Universal Pictures was floating the idea of teaming Dale with his pal Buddy Hackett, as its answer to Paramount's box-office sensations Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis. Nothing came of the idea because Dale preferred to remain a solo act.
- One of Dale's great allies was record producer (and husband of singer Teresa Brewer) Bob Thiele. In his book, "What a Wonderful World: A Lifetime of Recordings", Thiele writes admiringly about Dale, and offers his theory of why his career crashed. He said that Dale was adamant in refusing to accept "help" from mobsters, who not only owned a large number of nightclubs but also influenced record sales through their control of the jukebox industry, among other means. Thiele lists several other Italian singers who had hit records partly due to mob influence. Dale was not only stubbornly independent, but outspoken in his disrespect toward these would-be mentors. Thiele claims that a 1960 incident at the Latin Quarter nightclub in which Dale was attacked by an unknown assailant,and sent hurtling through the club's plate-glass window, was no accident. Fortunately, Dale's reflexes were quick; he raised his hands over his face and was spared more serious injury]. However, this headlined incident sent a message to all the other nightclubs: To avoid trouble, stay away from Alan Dale.
- Only child of Agatha and father Aristide, who was a comedian in Italian theaters in New York.
- Started his career at age 9 when he ran up on stage to sing when open invitation to audience was offered.
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