Singer Gene Pitney Dies at 65

AP via Yahoo! News ^ | 04/05/2006

[GeneD]

LONDON - Gene Pitney, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame whose hits included "Town Without Pity" and "Only Love Can Break a Heart," died Wednesday at a hotel in Wales after playing a show, his agent said. He was 65.

Pitney was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. Police said the death did not appear suspicious.

"We don't have a cause of death at the moment but looks like it was a very peaceful passing," said Pitney's tour manager, James Kelly.

"He was found fully clothed, on his back, as if he had gone for a lie down. It looks as if there was no pain whatsoever."

He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the show."

Born in Hartford, Conn., on Feb. 17, 1941, Pitney had his first success as a songwriter with "Rubber Ball," a Top 10 hit for Bobby Vee in 1961. Later that year, Ricky Nelson had a hit with Pitney's "Hello Mary Lou."

As a performer, Pitney had his first success that same year with "Love My Life Away."

But Burt Bacharach and Hal David provided the songs that put Pitney in the Top 10: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Only Love Can Break a Heart."

"Only Love Can Break a Heart" was Pitney's biggest U.S. hit, peaking at No. 2 on the charts in 1962. The No. 1 song at the time was The Crystals' "He's a Rebel," written by Pitney.

He had more than a dozen Top 40 hits and even contributed to an early Rolling Stones recording session.

Pitney waited until 1990 for his first British No. 1 — he rerecorded "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" with Marc Almond.

Pitney also had some success as a country singer, pairing with George Jones to record "I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night" and "Louisiana Man."

He recorded in Italian and Spanish, and twice took second place at the San Remo Song Festival in Italy. He also had a regional hit with "Nessuno Mi Puo' Giudicare."

Pitney was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.

___

On the Net:

http://www.allmusic.com

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I read a Rolling Stone piece about him in the late 1980s. It was a "where are they now" and most every star from music and TV wasn't making a dime off of their earlier work except him. Pitney had what amounts to a modern contract where royalties and residuals are concerned, so he wasn't hurting for money.

[Ditto]

Healthy performer completes concert, lies down for a nap, dies.

It happens. Stroke, coronary, aneurysm. I have known a couple people younger than he who went that way with absolutely no warning.

RIP.

[uncleshag]

Many thanks for pointing that out, my FRiend.
Great to know. Bugged me for a long time.
Changing file names now.

[beachn4fun]

Oh WOW. He was still young. Thanks for the songs, Unc.

[Liberty Valance]

But Burt Bacharach and Hal David provided the songs that put Pitney in the Top 10: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Only Love Can Break a Heart."

Gene Pitney is dead and i'm not feelin' so good myself.
RIP Gene.

[originalbuckeye]

He was a music staple of my pre-teen years. He was the first rock musician that my British husband ever saw in concert. I was surprised to learn that Pitney had played Britain so long ago! His songs hit right at your heart, explaining a lot of the feelings you had. Very sad to see him go. He was a keeper.

Note to queenkathy-Thanks for the lyrics. I always thought he was singing 'greying granite planet'. Funny.

[happygrl]

Thanks for your post.

His was a unique voice.

Sounds like he had a wonderful life.

R.I.P. Mr. Pitney.

[arasina]

He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the show."

What a wonderful way to go. RIP Gene Pitney. Thanks for sharing your songs and voice with us.

[tutstar]

Oh, sad!

[Liberty Valance]

bump

[uncleshag]

Hey there, beachn.

Sad news and great musical memories for all ages.

[Mike Bates]

The man who shot Liberty Valance is one of my favorite songs and movies. I wonder why it wasn't in the movie?

I've read it was because of - surprise, surprise - a legal dispute.

Great singer, great songs, great memories. May he rest in peace.

[nutmeg]

Connecticut ping!

Some excerpts from post #56, highlighting Gene Pitney's Connecticut roots:

Gene Francis Alan Pitney was born in Hartford, Connecticut in 1941, but spent most of his youth in Rockville, Connecticut. Pitney studied piano, guitar, and drums while at Rockville High School while performing with his group, "The Genials" and had written and published some songs....

*snip*

...As the year 2000 rolled around, Gene was living in Connecticut, not far from where he was raised, in a big rambling Dutch Colonial house set in an old apple orchard, with his wife, Lynne, whom he married in 1966. Gene divides his time between touring, mostly overseas and his business interests, which include the Crystal Lake Beach and Boat Club in Connecticut where he worked as a youth...

Please Freepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent Connecticut ping list.

[Fiji Hill]

My favorite Pitney tunes are Half Heaven, Half Heartache and Mecca, both from 1963.

[N. Theknow]

The man who shot Liberty Valance is one of my favorite songs and movies. I wonder why it wasn't in the movie?

Didn't it come out after the movie was made?

Like Battle of New Orleans, North to Alaska and Sink the Bismarck?

[Pondman88]

Crystal Lake--Wow, Gene was really a local guy!!!

[#1CTYankee]

Hey, I beat ya here!

[NRA1995]

He was the first live act I saw in Pittsburgh. One of KQV's deejays was hosting a CYO dance at our church and brought Gene Pitney, who happened to be in town, as a guest. He sang "Twnety Four Hours From Tulsa" and "Only Love Can Break A Heart." Rest in peace, Gene.

[speedy]

Thanks so much for that ping, uncleshag.

[speedy]

"Looking Through the Eyes of Love" is probably my favorite Gene Pitney song.

SuziQ, I can remember him singing a duet with Lesley Gore on that song. I think it was on "Shindig."