Dana Valery

Dana Valery Catalano (born Fausta Dana Galli; July 15, 1944, Codogno) is an Italian-born South African-reared singer, actress, and television performer who started her career in the entertainment industry at the age of 16 in Johannesburg, South Africa where her family emigrated from Italy in 1947.

The Codogno-born singer has performed on television, radio, Broadway and in live concert performances worldwide, including major cities such as New York, London, Monte Carlo, Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Johannesburg.

She is the sister of singer and actor Sergio Franchi.

She appeared on several different television shows in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s.

One such appearance was as a panellist on the episode of the television game show, What's My Line? (on which she was a recurring panelist), that featured then-Governor of Georgia, Jimmy Carter, as a contestant.

Dana Catalano made a career change later in life to become a healer.

Her areas of expertise include Reiki and hypnotherapy.

Her main practice is based in New York.

She is married to Peter Catalano who has worked both as a musician, trained at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and as an architect.

The couple founded a company dedicating its efforts to good health and meaningful relationships.

They have hosted the New York radio talk show, Natural Harmony which is dedicated to these ideals.

Valery's first USA album was an RCA collaboration album with Al Hirt and Boots Randolph titled Horns Of Plenty.

In Johannesburg, Dana won two SARIE awards in (1964 and 1965) for Best Female Vocalist.

In 1965, she appeared on the British television series called Ladybirds for ITV Southern England.

In the programme, interviewers Shaw Taylor and Terence Carroll attempt to find out about the individual behind the image.

Valery starred in three productions of the South African musical revue Wait A Minim!: The Original 1962 South African production; The 1964 London production; and the Broadway production which ran for 456 performances at the John Golden Theatre from 7 March 1966 – 15 April 1967.

Miss Valery recorded Original Cast Albums of all three productions.

Valery recorded a version of the Paul Simon song "You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies" and released it as a single in January 1967, well before Simon & Garfunkel released their version in July 1967 as the B-side to "Fakin' It".

Valery's version became a massive song on the Northern Soul scene, having been a popular spin at Wigan Casino.

Her solo debut album in the United States was called Not The Flower, But The Root on the Brunswick label in 1972.

The Not The Flower But The Root album has been reissued on CD in Japan with one bonus track.

Her follow up was Dana Valery in 1975.

The cover artwork shows her wearing black against a black background, resulting in a cameo-like effect.

This album can still be found on Internet record stores and auction sites.

This album was issued on RCA's custom label – Phantom and was produced by Leslie West of Mountain.

She recorded ten LP albums, two EPs, and a number of singles in South Africa prior to going abroad.