Posted on 04/05/2006 5:41:25 AM PDT by 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.
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Wasn't the song "Town Without Pity" the theme song in a movie of the same name?
It Hurts To Be In Love.....my fav Pitney song!
Thanks.
Excellent description. Yes, I can remember listening to "True Love Never Runs Smooth" in the summer of 1963 on a Silvertone Six transistor. Around the same time as "Be My Baby" and "Little Deuce Coupe" and "And Then He Kissed Me."
ping
It appears that Lynne and Gene Pitney (married in 1966) had a long marriage themselves. Ah, young love!
Pitney's agent said his wife Lynne had been told of his death. Pitney is also survived by three sons: David, Todd and Chris.
A friend of mine who has interviewed rock stars told me that Gene had a child with Marianne Faithfull. Has anyone heard this story ?
Marianne, Pitney & The Stones toured and did studio work together around the same time. Marianne was Mick's girl at the time. Never heard that a child, by anybody, was the result of those sessions!
it seems there was a movie titled Town Without Pity but it was in 1961. I don't think that song was written before that...gotta check that one...
You're welcome :)
Hard to believe - he still sounded great.
Distinctive and a great demonstration of how to work with what you have.
he does not ring a bell. Maybe I am too young.
I live on the West side, she lives on the East side of the stree-ee-eet
And though they say that East is East and West is West
And never the twain shall meet
Each morning I face her window and pray that our love can be
'Cause that brownstone house where my baby lives
Is Mecca (Mecca, Mecca, Mecca) Mecca (Mecca, Mecca) to me-e-e-e-e-e.
Oh she's my dream goddess and her ruby lips are so div-i-ine
And though her folks say we're too young to know of love
I worship at her shrine
Each morning I face her window and pray that our love can be
'Cause that brownstone house where my baby lives
Is Mecca (Mecca, Mecca, Mecca) Mecca (Mecca, Mecca) to me-e-e-e-e-e.
Each morning I face her window and pray that our love can be
'Cause that brownstone house where my baby lives
Is Mecca (Mecca, Mecca, Mecca) Mecca (Mecca, Mecca) to me-e-e-e-e-e.
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Now, THAT is melodramatic !!!
Bump
Died doing what he enjoyed best. May he rest in peace.
Post #56 mentions a "brief fling" between Faithfull and Pitney.
One of the very best pop writer/performers in history. RIP Mr. Pitney
Thank you! I never could figure out what kind of goddess she was! I thought it was "Queen Goddess" which didn't make sense...
We all do (he says, confidently).
dam...saw him a few years back
Prayers
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