Jidge Carroll(1921-2005)

Born Vincent (Vincenzo) Riccio, In Belleville, New Jersey, Jidge Carroll began his career by winning numerous times on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Show. He was the featured male singer with Les Brown's Band of Renown in the 1940s where he traveled and performed all over the US with Les, the band, and then female lead singer Doris Day. Jidge (under the name of Jack Carroll) also sang with the bands of Tex Beneke and Sammy Kaye. After serving in WWII with the US Army, Jidge returned to become a popular night club entertainer and sought after demo singer. He performed in clubs up and down the East Coast and recorded demos for both Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra as well as for many Broadway musicals. He co-starred in Sam Fuller's Forty Guns with Barbara Stanwyck and Gene Barry and was also in Seven Days Leave with Lucille Ball and Victor Mature. Jidge was the featured singer in commercial spots for Progresso Soup; Burger King, Kodak, and Perrier. Jidge's career spanned nearly 6 decades and he enjoyed making an occasional demo until he was in his 80s. Married for 60+ years to Frances Riccio, Jidge resided in New Jersey until his death at age 83.