Alan Dale, the vocalist often touted as possessing the most extraordinary voice in the realm of popular music, embarked upon a truly remarkable and illustrious career that spanned a staggering period of over three decades, with his artistic endeavors being released across a total of sixteen distinct record labels.
The year 1948 proved to be a pivotal moment in the illustrious career of Dale, as his captivating presence on the CBS musical quiz show, Sing It Again, effectively solidified his status as a star. Interestingly, this notable television appearance would later be referenced in the esteemed James Stewart film, Un Sacco d'oro, which was initially released in 1941.
Furthermore, Dale's own television program, The Alan Dale Show, debuted in 1948 and aired on both Dumont and CBS networks. What's more, this groundbreaking series holds the distinction of being the first to be kinescoped for national broadcast, a testament to its innovative production and distribution methods.
By the dawn of 1951, Dale had risen to the pinnacle of fame, his captivating voice and captivating stage presence rendering him the most in-demand singer in the industry, with a reputation that preceded him wherever he went.
However, his remarkable career was subsequently beset by a string of unfortunate and calamitous events that would ultimately take a devastating toll on his personal and professional life.
The relentless grind of constant performances, coupled with the mounting pressures of personal turmoil, had taken a dire toll on his health, manifesting in the form of an ulcer condition that had been quietly festering in the background.
As if the cumulative weight of these factors was not enough, Dale's fragile state of being was cruelly tested during a live television performance, where he suffered a dramatic and humiliating collapse, his usually robust voice reduced to a mere whisper as he struggled to stay upright on stage.
The aftermath of this public humiliation was nothing short of devastating, as Dale's once-thriving career came to a grinding halt, leaving him without a single show to his name, marking the beginning of a precipitous downward spiral that would test his resolve and resilience like never before.
Dale's remarkable resurgence in popularity was skillfully facilitated by his old acquaintance, Bob Thiele, the esteemed A&R chief of Coral Records. Thiele, who had previously collaborated with Dale on many of his chart-topping hits, worked with him once more on a string of successful singles, including the notable tracks "Oh, Marie", "I'm Sorry", "Cherry Pink", "Sweet and Gentle", and "Rockin' the Cha Cha". The phenomenal success of "Rockin' the Cha Cha" led to Dale's starring role in the 1957 film "I frenetici", a cinematic endeavor that premiered in 1956.
Dale's illustrious career, marked by unrelenting success, ultimately gave rise to a profound sense of disillusionment with the seedy underbelly of the entertainment industry, as poignantly chronicled in his candid autobiography, "The Spyder and the Marionettes".
As his star began to wane, Dale made a conscious decision to step away from the limelight, allowing his remarkable legacy to gradually fade into obscurity, often overlooked and underappreciated by the very industry that had once celebrated his talents.
Notwithstanding this diminished recognition, Mel Tormé, in his own memoir, "My Singing Teachers", paid tribute to Dale's exceptional musical prowess, lamenting the fact that he has yet to be rediscovered by a new generation of music lovers, much like the iconic Tony Bennett, whose enduring popularity serves as a poignant reminder of the transience of fame.
