Singer Frankie Laine dead at 93

latimes.com ^ | February 6, 2007 | Claudia Luther

[lunarbicep]

Frankie Laine, the singer with the booming voice who hit it big with such songs as "That Lucky Old Sun," "Mule Train," "Cool Water," "I Believe," "Granada" and "Moonlight Gambler," died today at Mercy Hospital in San Diego. He was 93.

Laine entered the hospital over the weekend for hip replacement surgery but suffered complications from the operation, said his friend A.C. Lyles, the longtime producer at Paramount Pictures.

In all, Laine sold well over 100 million records and was hugely popular not only in the United States but in Britain and Australia.

Even after his popularity crested after the rise of rock 'n' roll, Laine was heard for many years singing the theme to the TV series "Rawhide," which featured a young Clint Eastwood and ran until 1966.

Most of those who remember Laine for his biggest hits would hardly know that his body of work included "Baby That Ain't Right," "Rosetta" and many other songs that were more in the style of what Laine considered his roots -- jazz and blues.

[mikeus_maximus]

Rollin' rollin' rollin'...

[Tanniker Smith]

This my sound sad to say to his fans, but I remember him mostly for two songs, both theme songs:

"Blazing Sadles" and "Sherrif Lobo", both of which were a bit on the silly side. But, c'mon, how inspired is a lyric like "He made his Blazing Saddle a torch to light the way!" It makes no sense and yet it sounds like a proud anthem!

[proudofthesouth]

Didn't he also sing "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" or do I have him confused with someone else?

[gas0linealley]

Your voice pleased my ear, Frankie, thanks and so long.

[mwyounce]

That was Gene Pitney.

[PzLdr]

GHene Pitney. And the song was written by Burt Bacarach and Hal David.

[bruin66]

You have, of course, about the "Rawhide" bra?

Get 'm up and move 'm out!

[pgkdan]

I love Frankie Laine. He was one of the giants! Now he's like that lucky old sun...got nothin' to do but roll around heaven all day.

[GoldCountryRedneck]

Happy Trails - RIP

[television is just wrong]

thanks for the music, God bless you.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I do not have a CD by him, I need to find a best songs CD by him.

Cool Water was one of my favorites!

[Gay State Conservative]

Frankie Lane was one of my Mom's and Dad's favorites and I used to hear his songs often when I was a kid.His music brings back happy memories for me.

[Enterprise]

R.I.P. - Enjoyed his music.

[johnny7]

His music brings back happy memories for me.

Yup...

[hinckley buzzard]

You don't remember "Moonlight Gambler?" You missed a true golden oldie.

[good old days]

Our family is saddened to hear this. We love Frankie Laine and his music! RIP, Frankie.

[FReepapalooza]

"That Lucky Old Sun" was one of my favorites. RIP

[good old days]

[Wiggins]

Same here. I remember the song "Rawhide" playing when my mom and dad and all of us for that matter used to watch the t.v. show "Rawhide" with Clint Eastwood. My parents had all his records.