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Joseph A. Vasile born: September 11, 1936 Hackensack, NJ died: February 6, 2007 Pequannock ,NJ Early Life Joe was born on Friday September 11,1936 in Hackensack, NJ. He grew up along the riverfront. He attended Hackensack Public Schools. He was given the nickname 'The Sheik' for his striking resemblance to Rudolf Valentino. Vasile's cousin is Henry Mancini. In 1953, at age 16 , Joe had to leave school to help at home. It was during this time that he formed his first singing group. 'Rhythm and Blues', later to be known as 'Doowop' music was on the rise in the U.S. In 1954, Vasile ,Jerry Coletta, and Nunzio De Fabrio debuted to rave reviews as The Three Crowns. After 2 years of playing local clubs in and around New York City, they added another tenor. In 1956, they became known as The Four Saints. On August 12, 1957 they recorded their only known record at Frank Conklin Studios in Little Ferry, NJ. It was a 10 inch record with 2 cuts on one side and blank on the other. The first song was an original collaboration entitled "Cold, Cold Feelings",which became a minor hit. The second was Joe Vasile performing a cover of "Bee-Bop". In 1958 Joe's rising music career came to a halt when he was drafted. For the next 6 years Joe's time was spent guarding the homeland. In 1960, There was a brief stint with Joey Dee and The Starlighters, but contract talks weren't satisfactory and Vasile opted to leave the group.

Married Years By 1961, Joe was engaged to Paulina Wirth. The couple was wed on May 11, 1963 in Passaic ,NJ. During the next 20 years Joe's music career was dormant as he and his wife raised a family in scenic Warren county ,NJ. Later Years In 1982, after divoring his wife, Joe moved back to Hackensack and rekindled his career. In 1983, he reunited with longtime friend and former groupmate, Phil Cenacola. Cenacola helped produce Vasile in his new type of music, Country. As a running gag, Cenacola would introduce Joe at public functions as " Sal La Rosa - The Mayor Of Hackensack".