Vic Dana (born August 26, 1940, Buffalo, New York) is an American dancer and singer.
Discovered by Sammy Davis, Jr.,
His album of the same title made it into the Top Twenty. Preceding this success as a solo artist, Dana was the lead singer of The Fleetwoods (for live performances only), replacing original vocalist Gary Troxel when Troxel went into the U.S. Navy.
Other hit recordings on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the 1960s: "Little Altar Boy", "I Will", "More", "Shangri-La", "I Love You Drops", and "If I Never Knew Your Name." "I Love You Drops" was written and recorded by country singer Bill Anderson, and was popular enough to be recorded by others including Don Cherry and Teresa Brewer.
Vic scored a chart record in 1970 with Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine," years before it was turned into a number one hit by UB40. His last nationally charted record was Larry Weiss' "Lay Me Down (Roll Me Out To Sea)" on the Casino label, which hit the top 20 on Billboard's "Easy Listening" survey. Dana had recorded for two labels: Dolton (where he did most of his songs) and finally, Liberty Records.
Throughout the constant schedule of appearances, acting opportunities, and touring, Vic's first love remained vocal performance. "I loved recording. I loved walking into the studio with a big band and watching them light up. It didn't matter how many takes we did. I'd always say, 'Let's do it again!'"
Show business was heavy work, however, and a constant grind. "I don't have a showbiz personality. I never had the drive and focus that said I had to make it. I got married and had kids, and that life is tough on marriage. My two boys grew up early without me, and the marriage ended. Later on, I had another son. I decided that when he got to be five years old, I was getting off the road and staying in one place. I had a friend, Joe Connor, who lived in Paducah.
Previously he'd owned some clubs in Ohio, and I had worked those clubs. I remember one phone call, and he said, 'I'm in Paducah, KY.' I said, 'Paducah, KY? What are you doing there?' He was managing the Country Club. He said, 'If you don't know what you're going to do, why don't you come here and settle down. You can sing at the club on the weekends.' And I liked it here."
Vic received invitations to go back out on the road, but he declined them all. "I really wanted to be here until my youngest was through high school. I could have stayed out there. But my wife and I talked about it, and we wanted to stay settled down."
Vic remains very humble about his successes and past as an internationally known singer. Many who encounter him day to day have no idea, and he doesn't speak of it often. But his influence is still there and needs no words. He once received a clipping of an interview of Michael Buble from a friend. "It was the best musical compliment I've received. Michael talked about how his grandfather brought a Vic Dana album home, and he said that he used to sing along with it. That was part of the start for him. That's the greatest compliment I've been paid."
Vic seems content at whatever he does. He enjoyed singing and traveling the world, and he just as much enjoys his life now away from the spotlight. And he's been very content to call Paducah home
(Compiled and edited from Wikipedia and an article by J.T.Crawford @ Puducah Life)
