Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013

Subject: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Bettynh
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 11:12 AM

From the BBC:

Slim Whitman, US country singer, dies at 90

He reached number one in the UK singles chart with the 1955 track Rose Marie
Slim Whitman, the American country singer known for his yodelling abilities has died at the age of 90.

His son-in-law confirmed he died of heart failure overnight on Wednesday at Orange Park Medical Centre in Jacksonville, Florida.

Whitman had a string of hits in the 1950s and through the 1970s.

His 1955 song, Rose Marie, held the record for the longest reigning number one single in the UK until Bryan Adams broke the record in 1991.

Born in Tampa, Florida, in 1924, Whitman spent time in the Navy before embarking on a music career, which began after he was approached by Elvis' manager, Colonel Tom Parker, who heard him singing on the radio.

Signed to RCA Records, he released his first single, I'm Casting My Lasso Towards the Sky, in 1948.

His breakthrough hit came in 1952 with his cover of Bob Nolan's Love Song of the Waterfall, which peaked at number 10 in the US country chart.

While considered to have been more popular in Europe and particularly the UK than his native America, Whitman's 1952 track Indian Love Call and 1954 song Secret Love, both reached number two on the US Billboard country chart.

He had a further two top five hits in the US that same year.

Whitman was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry following the success of Rose Marie, which spent 11 weeks at the top of the UK singles chart. It reached number four in the US.

Known for his mellow, romantic melodies, he became the first country singer to play the London Palladium in 1956.

He followed the appearance with a string of hits in the UK including Tumbling Tumbleweeds, Unchain My Heart, and I'll Take You Home Again Kathleen in 1957, another UK top 10 hit.

He also appeared in the rock and roll film musical Jamboree in 1957, along with a host of other music stars, including Carl Perkins and Fats Domino.

During the 1960s, Whitman had a series of minor country hits in the US, including More Than Yesterday in 1965, Rainbows Are Back in Style in 1968 and Tomorrow Never Comes released in 1970.

He continued to record in the early 1970s and was a guest on Wolfman Jack's popular TV music show on NBC, The Midnight Special.

He was introduced to a much younger audience when his rendition of Indian Love Call was featured in the 1996 film Mars Attacks!

In 2003, Rob Zombie used Whitman's song I Remember You in his directorial debut, House of 1000 Corpses.

Whitman released his latest album, Twilight on the Trail, in 2012 - his first new studio record in 26 years.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 11:39 AM

R I P !! 90 is a pretty good innings !

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Ebbie
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 11:40 AM

He had a good long life and brought pleasure to many. Can't ask for much more than that.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 11:47 AM

I never knew anything about him except all of the commercials selling his recordings. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3C9ygie2lQ

Available on cassette, 8-track, or LP!

SRS

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 12:01 PM

If you have a good USENET server/account, you can find loads of Slim posted in the Country Music groups.(There will probably be more in commemeration.) I listened to some great stuff when learning about yodeling.

He gave us some wonderful music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Pete Jennings
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 12:02 PM

Made an album aged 89? What a star! RIP.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Bill D
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 12:19 PM

I shall load a bunch of his stuff in my player today when I am at the computer and let "a sweet song from yesterday wash over me" starting with "I'll Do As Much for You Someday"

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: GUEST,Musket sans cookie
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 12:24 PM

My step father loved his music. Living under his roof from the ages of 14 to 18, Slim Whitman on the stereogram was a rather constant feature, unless my Mum could sneak in her Jim Reeves albums.

My favourite trick at the time was to put my Black Sabbath album in a Slim Whitman sleeve, knowing he didn't always have his glasses on.

Happy days!


RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 12:38 PM

Another legend gone! RIP!

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: fat B****rd
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 03:44 PM

A big favourite of my dear old Dad.
RIP Mr. Whitman.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 04:23 PM

Another of those folks I didn't know were still alive after all these years until he passed. I did (and do through the miracle of LPs) enjoy his music and surmise he is now yodeling for the angels.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: catspaw49
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 06:01 PM

Sadly though, his TV ads made him the butt of many jokes among those who never knew who he was before. Thanks for it all.


Spaw

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: GUEST,kendall
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 07:32 PM

Certainly one of the best voices in country music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Suzy Sock Puppet
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 08:02 PM

I'm hearing about it right now on NPR. I never realized how popular he was in the UK.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 01:54 AM

Another OBIT, with three Video clips (2 Whitman and one Johnny Carson) at:

Singer, yodeler Slim Whitman dies at 90

I had forgotten about:

"He was even more successful with his next song, "Indian Love Call," which highlighted Whitman's soaring falsetto and his impressive yodeling talents. In the 1996 comedy "Mars Attacks!", that song was used to make the Martian attackers' heads explode, saving Earth."

Carson's jokes were well known, and Slim was guy who knew how to take a joke!

John

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: JennieG
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 07:22 AM

And don't forget "China Doll"!

I'm tired of crying, and all your lying,
That's why I'm buying a China doll.....

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: GUEST,Arkie
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 05:03 PM

The ghost of Slim Whitman must have hit 'submit' before I was ready. As I remember, Slim was the first to discover that the tv ads could put him back into business when commercial country radio lost interest. While there were many jokes at his expense, I suspect that endorsing the checks from the phenomenal sales eased the pain a bit. One of the true 'greats' from my favorite era of country music.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 06:22 PM

RIP ...

One of my earliest guitar related memories was working out the chords to "China Doll" ...was I ever proud of myself ...

Slim Whitman was a true legend ...that yodel was just amazing ...

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: framus
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 06:29 PM

Congratulations on the chords! I understand that, left handed, he played a conventionally tuned guitar - ie, upside down!

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: goatfell
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 09:05 AM

RIP SLIM, and it was good to see you perform in Glasgow.
He will live for ever.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: olddude
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 10:20 AM

My Dad loved his music. I like his music except for Indian love Call
that made me crazy for some reason ...

Slim was adored by many many people. I am very sad to hear of his passing. He will be missed

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: olddude
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 10:24 AM

I remember you is a beautiful song

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: Art Thieme
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 12:19 PM

Many memorable melodies. Sugary though.

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: voyager
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 01:06 PM

I confess to surviving a few lonesome holiday seasons listening to the Slim Whitman 'I'll Be Home for Christman' LP. Now we play it every year along with 'Sing Along With Mitch - Christmas Carols' and the John Fahey Xmas recordings.

I also liked this anecdote from the biographies being posted -

Elvis Presley, in his first professional appearance in Memphis in 1954, opened for Mr. Whitman. Mistakenly billed as Ellis, he was paid $50; Mr. Whitman got $500. Mr. Whitman later let Presley borrow his trademark white rhinestone jacket.

Must have been a great jacket!

Thanks Slim
voyager

Subject: RE: Obit: Slim Whitman, June 19, 2013
From: freespiritceol1
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 02:40 PM

saw him on the Liverpool empire many moons ago. a great memory. RIP