Gene Pitney
Birth name	Gene Francis Alan Pitney
Born	February 17, 1940(1940-02-17) Hartford, Connecticut, United States
Died	April 5, 2006 Hilton Hotel, Cardiff, Wales UK
Other name(s)	Gene Pitney
Years active	1960s – 2006

Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940 – April 5, 2006) was an American singer and songwriter. is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... When used by itself in a sentence, the term Hartford can refer to one of several places in the United States. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport[3] Largest metro area Hartford Metro Area[2] Area  Ranked 48th  - Total 5,543[4] sq mi (14,356 km²)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Wales_2. ... This article is about the country. ... See also: 2006 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2006 Record labels established in 2006 Ti // January – James Nicholl, drummer of Pay*Ola became ill and was admitted to hospital. ... is the 48th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1940 (MCMXL) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full 1940 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Singer (disambiguation). ... A songwriter is someone who writes the lyrics to songs, the musical composition or melody to songs, or both. ...

Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed considerable success on both sides of the Atlantic, and charted more than 20 Top 40 hit singles. He was also an accomplished guitarist, pianist, drummer, and skilled sound engineer. In 2002, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. // A record chart, also known as a music chart, is a method of ranking music according to popularity during a given period of time. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... A short grand piano, with the top up. ... For the comic book character, see Drummer (comics). ... Audio engineering is the branch of engineering dealing with the production of sound through mechanical means. ... See also: 2002 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 2002 Record labels established in 2002 // 2002 was marked by significant trends in rock music. ... The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at sunset. ...

Biography

Pitney was born in Hartford, Connecticut. In his youth, he lived primarily in Rockville, now part of the town of Vernon. His early musical influences were Clyde McPhatter and Doo Wop groups like The Crows. He attended Rockville High School from which he earned the name "The Rockville Rocket," and where he formed his first band called "Gene & the Genials." He also made a couple of records as part of a duo called "Jamie and Jane" with a lady called Ginny Arnell (who later had a solo hit of her own, "Dumbhead") and then released a single as Billy Bryan. Nickname: Location in Hartford County, Connecticut Coordinates: , Country State NECTA Hartford Region Capitol Region Named 1637 Incorporated (city) 1784 Consolidated 1896 Government  - Type Mayor-council  - Mayor Eddie Perez Area  - City  18. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport[3] Largest metro area Hartford Metro Area[2] Area  Ranked 48th  - Total 5,543[4] sq mi (14,356 km²)  - Width 70 miles (113 km)  - Length 110 miles (177 km)  - % water 12. ... Rockville is a census-designated place and part of the town of Vernon, Connecticut located in Tolland County, Connecticut. ... Motto: The Crossroads for Opportunity Government Country  State   County United States  Connecticut   Tolland Incorporated 1808 Mayor Dr. Ellen Marmer (D) Geographical characteristics Area    - City 46. ... Rockville High School is a public secondary school located in Vernon, Connecticut. ...

In 1961, Gene Pitney released his first solo single, "(I Wanna) Love My Life Away," on which he played several instruments and multi-tracked the vocals. This was followed by his first big hit, "Town Without Pity", that same year. This song, from the film of the same name, won the Golden Globe Award for "Best Song in a Motion Picture" and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. Pitney was the first pop singer to perform at the Oscars, singing "Town Without Pity" at the 34th Annual Academy Awards on April 9, 1962. See also: 1960 in music, other events of 1961, 1962 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // Events January 15 - Motown Records signs The Supremes January 20 - Francis Poulencs Gloria is premiered in Boston February 12 - The Miracles Shop Around becomes Motowns first... The Tascam 85 16B analogue tape recorder can record 16 tracks of audio on 1 inch (2. ... Town Without Pity is a 1961 film starring Kirk Douglas as Major Steve Garrett. ... The Golden Globe Award The Golden Globe Awards are American awards for motion pictures and television programs, given out each year during a formal dinner. ... The Academy Award for Best Song is one of the awards given to people working in the motion picture industry by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; nominations are made by Academy members who are songwriters and composers. ...

Pitney helped his musical career by writing hit songs for others. Notable songs include "He's a Rebel" for The Crystals, Vikki Carr and Elkie Brooks, "Today's Teardrops" for Roy Orbison, "Rubber Ball" for Bobby Vee and "Hello Mary Lou" for Ricky Nelson (Nelson is often inaccurately credited as the songwriter). The Crystals' "He's A Rebel" kept Pitney's highest peaking Hot 100 record "Only Love Can Break A Heart" from being atop that chart on November 3, 1962. The Crystals were one of the most successful girl groups of the 1960s. ... Vikki Carr (born July 19, 1941 in El Paso, Texas as Florencia Bisenta de Casillas Martinez Cardona) is an American singer who has sung in a variety of music genres, including jazz, pop and country, but has enjoyed her greatest success singing in Spanish Her first hit was Hes... Elkie Brooks (born Elaine Bookbinder, 25 February 1945, in Salford) is a British singer, formerly a vocalist with Vinegar Joe, and later a solo artist. ... Roy Kelton Orbison (April 23, 1936 – December 6, 1988), nicknamed The Big O, was an influential American singer-songwriter, guitarist and a pioneer of rock and roll whose recording career spanned more than four decades. ... Bobby Vee (born April 30, 1943) is an American pop music singer. ... Hello Mary Lou is a song written by American singer Gene Pitney, and performed by Ricky Nelson in 1961. ... This article needs additional references or sources for verification. ... The Crystals were one of the most successful girl groups of the 1960s. ...

Pitney is also well remembered for The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, which is often believed to be associated with the 1962 John Ford film starring Jimmy Stewart, John Wayne, Vera Miles, and Lee Marvin. Pitney gave a strong and distinctive vocal performance of the song, penned by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Although it was a certified Top 10 hit for Pitney, it was never used in the movie due to a publishing squabble between Famous Music and Paramount Pictures. A theatrical trailer included with a DVD release mentions a forthcoming title track, but not by name. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance is a classic Western movie made in 1962, starring James Stewart, John Wayne and Lee Marvin, and directed by John Ford. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other persons named John Ford, see John Ford (disambiguation). ... Jimmy Stewart, photographed by Carl Van Vechten, 1934 James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American film actor beloved for his persona as an average guy who faces adversity and tries to do the right thing, an image which was largely reflected in his own... For other persons named John Wayne, see John Wayne (disambiguation). ... Vera Miles (born August 23, 1929 or 1930[1]) is an American actress. ... Lee Marvin (February 19, 1924 – August 29, 1987) was an Academy Award-winning American film actor. ...

His 1963 hit, "Mecca," is considered by some to be a precursor to psychedelia in its use of Indian musical influences, two years before The Beatles began incorporating these influences. The use of exotic musical instruments became something of a Pitney trademark, judging by the Mariachi trumpets employed in "Lonely Drifters," the ukuleles in "Hawaii," and the gypsy fiddle in "Golden Earrings." The Mick Jagger-Keith Richards song, "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday," which became a hit for him, was the first Rolling Stones song to be a success in the United States, and it was partly Pitney's endorsement of the group which helped them to find favor in America. He was in the studio in England with the Stones on some of their earlier recording sessions, including those which resulted in both sides of their first Top 10 single "Not Fade Away" and their debut album, apparently playing piano, though the extent to which his contributions and those of "Uncle" Phil Spector were used is uncertain. His ongoing popularity in the UK market was ensured by the chart success of "Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa" at the end of 1963/beginning of 1964, when in January the Bacharach and Davids' song peaked at #4. "Tulsa" was also a big hit in the US and would become Pitney's signature tune. Along with the great Roy Orbison before him, Gene had toured the UK on a regular basis. He was actually preparing his next UK tour at the time of his passing. See also: 1962 in music, other events of 1963, 1964 in music, 1960s in music and the list of years in music // January 1 - The Beatles start a 5 day tour in Scotland to support the release of their new single, Love Me Do. January 4 - At Cortina dAmpezzo... Psychedelia is a term describing a category of music, visual art, fashion, and culture that is associated originally with the high 1960s, hippies, and the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood of San Francisco, California. ... The White Album, see The Beatles (album). ... Michael Phillip Mick Jagger CBE (born July 26, 1943) is an English rock musician, actor, songwriter, record and film producer and businessman. ... Keith Richards (born 18 December 1943) is an English guitarist, songwriter, singer and a founding member of The Rolling Stones in 1962. ... This article is about the rock band. ...

Pitney released an unbroken string of hit singles in the early 1960s, with the unrequited love classic "It Hurts To Be in Love" and "I'm Gonna Be Strong" in 1964, and "Nobody Needs Your Love" in 1966 (the first two were top 10 in the US; the last two peaked at No. 2 in the UK). He and Orbison were practically the only American soloists to withstand the British Invasion, both displaying an astounding vocal range. Pitney maintained a successful career in Britain and the rest of Europe. Pitney decided to spend six months of each year on the road, and the remainder with the Rockville sweetheart he married, and his three young sons. One of the few star performers to have survived the 1960s unscathed, his fitness regime built the stamina he required for his singularly dithyrambic stage act. Pitney's last American top 40 hit was "She's a Heartbreaker" (1968). Pitney last hit the UK charts after an absence of fifteen years with 1989's duet with Marc Almond, a new version of "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart," a song by British writers Roger Cook and Roger Greenaway, which had originally been a No. 5 solo hit for Pitney in 1967, and which belatedly brought him his first UK Number 1 hit, staying there for four weeks. Sales were boosted particularly by the two vocalists' appearance on the Terry Wogan TV show as it was climbing the charts. Pitney's US record company declined to issue the record in America on the grounds that buyers would mistake it for a vocal duet by two gay men, Almond being leather-clad as usual, and Pitney dressed in a white tuxedo. Unrequited love is love that is not reciprocated, even though reciprocation is usually deeply desired. ... For other uses, see British Invasion (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... The dithyramb was originally an ancient Greek hymn sung to the god Dionysus. ... // January 4 - Guitarist Jimi Hendrix is jailed by Stockholm police, after trashing a hotel room during a drunken fist fight with bassist Noel Redding. ... See also: 1989 in music (UK) Musical groups established in 1989 Record labels established in 1989 // January 7 - Genesis 88 and Sunrise/Back to the Future stage large-scale illegal Acid House party in London January 14 - Paul McCartney releases Снова в СССР exclusively in Russia. ... Marc Almond (born Peter Mark Sinclair Almond on 9 July 1957 in Southport, Lancashire, England) is a popular English singer, songwriter and recording artist, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell. ... Somethings Gotten Hold of My Heart is a popular song written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. ... Roger Cook may be: Roger Cook, songwriter Roger Cook, investigative journalist This is a disambiguation page: a list of articles associated with the same title. ... Roger John Greenaway (born August 23, 1938, Fishponds, Bristol, England), is a popular British songwriter, best remembered for his collaborations with Roger Cook. ... Sir Michael Terence Wogan, KBE DL (born August 3rd 1938, in Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland), more commonly known as Terry Wogan, is a radio and television broadcaster who has worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in the United Kingdom (UK) for most of his career. ...

Pitney also recorded songs in Italian and Spanish, and twice finished second in the Sanremo Music Festival, where his strong vibrato may have reminded older listeners of the Italian tenor Caruso. He had a regional hit with "Nessuno Mi Puo' Giudicare." [1] Sanremo Music Festival (Festival della canzone italiana), running since 1951, is an Italian popular song contest held annually (first part of March) in Sanremo. ...

In 1965, he recorded two successful albums with country legend George Jones. They were voted the most promising C & W Duo of that year.

Pitney died on April 5, 2006 at the age of 66. He was found dead by his tour manager in the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, Wales in the middle of a UK tour. His Final Show at Cardiff's St David's Hall was deemed a huge success, with a standing ovation, ending the show with his 1962 hit "Town Without Pity". An autopsy confirmed the singer died of natural causes. [2] He was laid to rest on April 13th, 2006 at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers Connecticut. is the 95th day of the year (96th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2006 (MMVI) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the capital city of Wales. ... This article is about the country. ... This article is being considered for deletion in accordance with Wikipedias deletion policy. ...

In tribute to Gene, Marc Almond has recorded Backstage (I'm Lonely) for his forthcoming album Stardom Road. Marc Almond (born Peter Mark Sinclair Almond on 9 July 1957 in Southport, Lancashire, England) is a popular English singer, songwriter and recording artist, who originally found fame as half of the seminal synthpop/New Wave duo Soft Cell. ...

On September 20th, 2007, Gene Pitney was honored in his hometown of Rockville Connecticut where a Plaque was unveiled at the Town Hall. Members of the Pitney family were in attendance.

Selected songs written or performed by Pitney

• "(I Wanna) Love My Life Away"
• "Louisiana Mama"
• "Every Breath I Take"
• "Town Without Pity" [often misprinted on Continental covers as "Down"]
• "Hello Mary Lou"
• "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance"
• "Only Love Can Break a Heart"
• "If I Didn't Have a Dime (To Play the Jukebox)"
• "Half Heaven - Half Heartache"
• "Mecca"
• "Tower Tall"
• "True Love Never Runs Smooth"
• "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa" - #3 Australia, #17 USA
• "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday"
• "It Hurts to Be in Love"
• "Lips Were Redder on You"
• "I'm Gonna Be Strong"
• "I Must Be Seeing Things"
• "Last Chance to Turn Around"
• "Looking Through the Eyes of Love"
• " There's No Livin' Without Your Lovin'"
• "Princess in Rags"
• "Backstage (I'm Lonely)"
• "Nobody Needs Your Love"
• "Just One Smile"
• "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart"
• "She's a Heartbreaker"
• "She Lets Her Hair Down"
• "Yours Until Tomorrow"
• "24 Sycamore"
• "Blue Angel"
• "Oceans Away"
• "It's Over, It's Over"

Town Without Pity is a 1961 film starring Kirk Douglas as Major Steve Garrett. ... Hello Mary Lou is a song written by American singer Gene Pitney, and performed by Ricky Nelson in 1961. ... Im Gonna Be Strong is a song written by the famed songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. ... Somethings Gotten Hold of My Heart is a popular song written by Roger Greenaway and Roger Cook. ...

For the First Time! Two Great Singers

Released June 1965 Gene Pitney & George Jones

1. I've got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night
2. Sweeter Than the Flower
3. My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You
4. Wreck on the Highway
5. I've got a New Heartache
6. One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)
7. Don't Rob another Man's Castle
8. I'm a Fool to Care
9. Born to Lose
10. I Really Don't Want to Know
11. Mockin' Bird Hill
12. As Long as I Live
13. Y'all Come
14. Someday (You'll Want Me to Want You)
15. Louisiana Mama
16. Big Job
17. Your Old Standby
18. Why Baby Why
19. That's All It Took
20. I Can't Stop Loving You
21. Love Bug
22. I'm Gonna Listen to Me
23. She Thinks I Still Care
24. Drinking from the Well of Your Love
25. For Me This Is Happy
26. Thousand Arms (Five Hundred Hearts)
27. More I Saw of Her (The Blinder I Became)
28. Life to Go
29. I'm Up to My Neck in I.O.U.'s
30. Won't Take Long
31. I'd like to See Me Stop You

I Really Dont Want to Know is a popular song. ... Mockin Bird Hill is a popular song. ... Someday (Youll Want Me to Want You) is a popular song. ... I Cant Stop Loving You was an international smash for legendary musician Ray Charles in 1962. ...

Young and Warm and Wonderful

Released: February 1967

1. Young, Warm & Wonderful
2. Golden Earrings
3. Serenade of the Bells
4. Where Is Your Heart?
5. Silver Bracelets
6. (I'd Like to Get You on a) Slow Boat to China
7. Far Away Places
8. Hey There
9. South of the Border
10. Till the End of Time
11. I'll Be Seeing You
12. Two Sleepy People
13. Just One Smile
14. Where Did the Magic Go
15. Leave My Laurie Alone
16. Losing Control
17. (In the) Cold Light of Day
18. Lonely Drifter
19. Comedian
20. Rising Tide of Love
21. 24 Sycamore
22. Another Page
23. In Love Again
24. She Believes in Me
25. Ask Me How Much I Love You
26. Boss's Daughter
27. Flower Girl
28. Tremblin'

Young And Warm And Wonderful is a popular song with music by Lou Singer and lyrics by Hy Zaret, published in 1958. ... Serenade of the Bells is a popular song. ... (Id Like to Get You on a) Slow Boat to China is a popular song by Frank Loesser, published in 1947. ... Far Away Places is a popular song. ... Hey There is a popular song. ... Till the End of Time is a popular song. ... Ill Be Seeing You is a popular song. ... Two Sleepy People is a song written on September 10, 1938 by Hoagy Carmichael with lyrics by Frank Loesser. ...

External links

• A site created to honor Gene in his hometown of Rockville, CT
• A site created to celebrate Gene Pitneys life by two U.K. fans.
• Large fansite in honor of Gene and his career with fotos, reviews and much more.
• Gene Pitney Virtual Book of Condolencies
• Unofficial Gene Pitney website and tribute forum
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Report of Pitney's death from BBC News
• BBC Obituary
• Obituary from the The Guardian
• Fan's Final Chat with Gene Pitney
• Correction on Pitney's year of birth: 1940 not 1941
• Interview with Gene Pitney in International Songwriters Association's "Songwriter Magazine", concentrating on his songwriting career
• Gene Pitney Memorial/FanSite by Rockville Resident/Fan