Posted on 04/05/2006 7:12:25 AM PDT by FlyingA
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 "(I Wanna) 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," "Only Love Can Break a Heart" and "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa." "Only Love Can Break a Heart" was Pitney's biggest U.S. hit, peaking at No. 2 on the charts in 1962.
(Excerpt) Read more at boston.com ...
We've got a thread going over here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1609505/posts
"Town Without Pity" - Now it Town Without Pitney
"The Rockville Rocket"
Rockville, CT
Never heard of him.
He was great. I had no idea he was only 65 - he was just a kid when he hit it big!
I remember, he did a song called "Mecca".
This was one of those "thought he died long ago" things..
Also did:"The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance", "It Hurts To Be In Love", '24 Hours from Tulsa". Also wrote "He's A Rebel"
I saw him open for Dion about 10 years ago. Put on a GREAT show!! A real performer, a real gentleman, a real loss.
Kinda like the Branson experience.
Has anyone heard the rumor that he had a child with Marianne Faithfull ?
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