Died On This Date (May 18, 2014) Jerry Vale / Popular ’50s Crooner
themusicsover Jerry Vale (Born Genaro Vitaliano)
July 8, 1930 – May 18, 2014
Jerry Vale was a world-famous Italian-American singer who found his sizable audience by performing romantic ballads in a beautiful high tenor voice throughout the ’50s and early ’60s. Born in the Bronx, New York, Vale was working as a shoe shine boy in a barber shop when his boss, impressed with his voice, paid for him to have music lessons. That education along with his talent lead to performances in high school musicals and at local nightclubs. Before long, he caught the ear of a manager who ultimately landed him a recording contract with Columbia Records. Over the course of his career, Vale released over two dozen albums which included such charting hits as “You Don’t Know Me” and “Have You Looked Into Your Heart,” as well as his signature Italian classics, “O Solo Mia,” “Al Di La,” and “Volare.” His version of “The Star Spangled Banner” was played at major league baseball games for many years. Although his record sales dwindled by the late ’60s, he continued to be a very popular nightclub draw until his retirement. He also made memorable cameos in Goodfellas, Casino, and The Sopranos. Jerry Vale was 83 when he passed away on May 18, 2013.
Thanks to Harold Lepidus at Bob Dylan Examiner for the assist.
What You Should Own
Perhaps best known for bringing the Alien creature to life for the film of the same name, H.R. Giger also made a considerable contribution to pop music as well. A surrealist painter born in Graubünden, Switzerland, Giger grew up to be one of the most revered if not controversial artists of his time. He was awarded an Academy Award for Best Achievement for Visual Effects as part of the team who created 1979’s Alien. Throughout his career, Giger also created some of the most visually stimulating album covers in rock history – the kind you couldn’t take your eyes off of as you listened to the album. That list includes Emerson, Lake & Palmer‘s Brain Salad Surgery, Deborah Harry‘s Koo Koo, Danzig‘s Danzig III: How The Gods Kill, Triptykon‘s Melana Chamata, as well as the notorious poster inside the Dead Kennedy‘s Frankenchrist which lead to an obscenity trial. He was also commissioned to design an occasional microphone stand and guitar based on his artwork. H.R. Giger was 74 when he died while being hospitalized after falling down the stairs in his home. Cause of death was not immediately released.
Jesse Winchester was an American singer-songwriter who made his biggest mark on popular music during the early ’70s. Born and raised in Memphis, TN, Winchester moved to Montreal in 1967 in order to avoid being drafted into the Vietnam War. It was while in Canada that he launched his career in music thanks to early encouragement and support from the Band’s Robbie Robertson. Winchester released his debut self-titled album in 1970 and continued to record acclaimed albums on and off over the next 40 years. Since he couldn’t tour the U.S. as a draft resister during the peak years of his output, Winchester became better known as a songwriter than a live performer and recording artist. The long list of those who recorded his songs includes Elvis Costello, George Strait, Jimmy Buffet, Joan Baez, the Everly Brothers, and Wynona Judd. In 1976, President Jimmy Carter pardoned many so-called draft dodgers, so Winchester was allowed back into the US. His first show back on US soil was in April of 1977, a performance that prompted Rolling Stone magazine to declare him “the Greatest Voice of the Decade.” He permanently relocated back to America in 2002 and continued to record and tour throughout the remainder of his life. Jesse Winchester died of cancer on April 11, 2014. He was 69.
Dave Brockie is best remembered as lead singer for the popular theatrical shock metal band, GWAR. Going under the stage name, Oderus Urungus, Brockie co-formed the band in 1984. GWAR went on to build a legion of fans due in part to their over-the-top sci-fi inspired costumes and comic book violence that ran through their lyrics and live shows. They released their debut album, Hell-O, in 1988 and 11 more leading up to the 2013 release of, Battle Maximus. 2014 found the band touring in celebration of their 30th anniversary. Dave Brockie was 50 when he was found dead in his home on March 23, 2014. Cause of death was not immediately released. GWAR band mate, 
Scott Asheton was the drummer for Detroit group the Stooges, a garage band lead by the wildly charismatic Iggy Pop. With the Stooges, Asheton was considered by many as ground zero for what would become known as punk rock some ten years later. Born in Washington DC, Asheton was 14 when his family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan where he eventually co-founded the Stooges with brother, 