Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Gene Viale of the Cleveland Singers Dies

Joseph Middleton of the Golden Era Gospel Blog just informed TBGB that Minister Gene Viale died.

Viale, from the Bay Area and of Puerto Rican descent, was a member of the Cleveland Singers during the 1960s.  It's his voice leading "Heartaches" for the Cleveland Singers, a group he once referred to as "his life." Viale also toured with the Caravans, recorded solo albums for Checker and other labels, and wrote his memoirs in a book called I Remember Gospel and I Keep On Singing.

I had the very good fortune to interview Gene on "Gospel Memories" some years ago and enjoyed seeing him every year at the Gospel Music Workshop of America. He was a wonderful man who will be sadly missed by me and so many others.

Read more here: Gene Viale.

2 comments:

Linwood Heath said...

Such sad news to hear of Gene's passing. It was Gene who encouraged me in 2006 when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Gene merely said "Linwood look at it as a new adventure and God will see you through this" Those words have stayed with me and it's so true. Rest in Peace my friend.

Bob Marovich said...

Great story, Linwood. Thanks for sharing it here!