Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006

Subject: Obit Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/200
From: Rasener
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 07:00 AM

Just been announced on TV

It happened at a Cardiff Hotel

RIP

Subject: RE: Obit Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/200
From: GUEST,Scooby
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 07:10 AM

At The Hilton in Cardiff City center,its not far from the ice rink.
I live 10 miles from Cardiff.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Obit Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/200
From: pavane
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 07:33 AM

Sad news. I saw him in Cardiff a couple of years ago, and he was in good voice, looked fit and well.

I remember giving a (lovely redheaded) girl his album "Gene Pitney's Big 16" for a birthday present in the mid-60's - I still remember her birthday too.

Didn't get me anywhere though. Never got a date with her, but I don't blame him.

Subject: RE: Obit Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/200
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 07:39 AM

Something Gotten Hold of His Heart

I guess.

He had Hepatitis in the 70's (or was it late 60's) and that was not trivial as I remember.

Subject: RE: Obit Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/200
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 07:43 AM

He was aged 65.
Scooby

Subject: RE: Obit Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/200
From: bobad
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 08:30 AM

I always enjoyed his singing.

Subject: RE: Obit Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/200
From: rich-joy
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 08:39 AM

yes, FABulous strong emotive voice and great singable 60s songs - a BIG part of my teenage years!!!

Vale, Gene.




R-J

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: GUEST,south west fan
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 09:03 AM

and he was only 24 hours from Bristol


http://www.colstonhall.org/boxoffice/whatson/Event147

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: Purple Foxx
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 09:35 AM

This guy had the singing voice I would have wished for myself.
Simply years ahead of his time.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: GUEST,SunnySister
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 10:54 AM

This is sad news.

The BBC reported that they found him passed away in his bed. I hope he just went gently to sleep and didn't feel any pain.

I love the song [The Man who Shot] Liberty Valance among others that he sang or wrote.

Thanks for letting us all know.

--SunnySister

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: SINSULL
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:08 AM

Town Without Pity.
RIP

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:23 AM

The first two records I bought were 'I feel fine' by the Beatles and 'I'm gonna be strong' by Gene Pitney. I know it was 1964 and I guess it was Christmas because I must have had some money given me:-) The note that Gene held at the end of that song always blew me away - I still don't know how he held it so long but still kept that power in his voice! A fantastic singer and great loss.

Anyone remember seeing him on a chat show recently with Alice Cooper - They swaped roles and while Alice made a reasonable job of Mr Clean Cut Gene did a much better one of the demon rocker:-)

RIP.

Dave the Gnome

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: number 6
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:40 AM

Yes Sinsull ... Town without Pity.

May he find eternal peace.

sIx

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: Brakn
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:42 AM

A great singer.

I think he appeared on the first Stones album and also was famous for missing his cue on the "This Morning" (Richard and Judy), a live broadcast.

I had an aunt who lived in Tulsa who had never heard of the song!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: jojofolkagogo
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:53 AM

Well, its a sad fact that we all gotta go some time - hope it was peaceful.


24 hours and Gonna be Strong were among my faves in 60's too

Jo-Jo

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5/4/2006
From: Cobble
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 12:21 PM

I saw Gene at Batley Varieties Club, dont remember when (long time ago), superb voice, he will always be in my memories of those days past.

       Sad Loss Cobble.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 02:19 PM

CNN obit.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Linda Kelly
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 02:34 PM

he was a reat songwriter too.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Desdemona
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 02:43 PM

Presumably he's gone to...

Mecca

Artist: Gene Pitney (peak Billboard position # 12 in 1963)
Words and Music by Neval Nader and John Gluck, Jr.

(opening instrumental--chiefly Indian fakir's flute)

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.

(instrumental interlude-chiefly guitar)

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.

(ending instrumental-chiefly Indian fakir's flute)

A great favourite of my eldest brother, who himself passed away in 1980.

~D

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: fat B****rd
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 03:06 PM

A great shame. I love "Tulsa", "I'm Gonna Be Strong" and especially "Love My Life Away" RIP Mr. Pitney.
BTW I believe he wrote "Hello Mary Lou" for Ricky Nelson.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Chris in Wheaton
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 04:15 PM

"town without pity" was based on the true story of Larry Pusateri's legal work - RIP, Gene and Larry. see http://www.isba.org/association/dec05bn/29.htm
Chris

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Allan C.
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 04:16 PM

Desdemona mentioned my all time favorite of Gene's, "Mecca." It wasn't until years later that I realized he might have been referring to a part of NYC while pretending to mean the one in the East.

As I understand it, Gene got tired of the the grind involved with being a performer and gave it up for the most part. Instead, he became a record producer, dealing with, (if I remember correctly,) Peter and Gordon, among others.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: GUEST,Lanfranc the Cookieless
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 06:53 PM

Way to go!

Sad, though. Another of my heroes gone.

Must find that CD and play it.

Alan

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Beer
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 07:11 PM

Another legend gone.
Beer

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: GUEST,Texas Guest
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 08:13 PM

I'm very comfortable with my voice; however, if I were allowed to
clone one for my very own it just might be Gene Pitney's - a simply wonderful voice. All those songs you all have mentioned are great tunes. I recently bought a CD of his with "Liberty Valance" on it so I could learn it - guess I'll have to get to work on it in a week or two. RIP Gene, you'll be missed in Texas.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: GUEST,Allen in Australia
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 10:26 PM

Gene Pitney did indeed write " Hello Mary Lou" ( Words and music)

AD1943

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: GUEST,punkfolkrocker
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 10:46 PM

i never knew until i read CNN obit today that he wrote

Bobby Vee's "Rubber Ball" !!!


Gene Pitney will forever be elevated even higher in my humble estimation !


"Rubber Ball." is one of most perfect pure classic pop hits ever recorded..!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Alba
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:00 PM

Great Voice, Great Songwriter.

Rest Peacefully and Thank You Mr.Pitney

Jude

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: GUEST
Date: 05 Apr 06 - 11:59 PM

RIP Gene Pitney, you're were a great man.

Tom

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Rasener
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 12:22 AM

I preferrd Marty Wilde's version of "Rubber Ball"

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Metchosin
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 01:34 AM

RIP and thank you Mr. Pitney, with every breath I take, you will forever be a fondly remembered part of my emotionally charged adolescence.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Leadfingers
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 07:13 AM

Harvey Andrews said last night "Thats the way to go - A standing ovation , back to the hotel , and die in your sleep !"

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: GUEST,Chris B (Born Again Scouser)
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 07:17 AM

Unforgettable. But 65? How did that happen?

Another good man gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 07:51 AM

He provided part of the soundtrack to my teen years.

Especially liked "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Town Without Pity".

Didn't realize until I read the obit how many songs he wrote for other artists -- including "He's A Rebel" recorded by The Crystals which I'm still prone to break into upon occasion.

Linn

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: pavane
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 10:45 AM

And yes, he was on the Stones first LP, as 'Uncle Gene', playing piano while 'Uncle Phil' Spector played maraccas. I think the track was the instrumental 'Now I've got a witness'

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: clueless don
Date: 06 Apr 06 - 11:56 AM

Enjoyed Gene Pitney's music very much. Didn't know about his songwriting!

One particular favorite, which I don't think anyone else has mentioned yet, was "Last Exit to Brooklyn".

RIP

Don

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: GUEST,I am Gene's Biggest Fan
Date: 14 Apr 06 - 03:49 AM

Name any song he did, I can recite every word. When I saw him in San Diego at Humphries By The Bay during the 80's, Gene read a letter from a fan who thought Gene had died from a brain tumor. Gene had a good laugh. He was music's greatest. Here is to the "Prince Of Pain" - your music lives forever!

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Bonnie Shaljean
Date: 14 Apr 06 - 10:35 AM

What DID he die of? Anybody ever shed any light on it?

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: jacqui.c
Date: 14 Apr 06 - 10:54 AM

Just found this thread. Like many others here Mr Pitney was a big influence on my teenage years - in particular with 'Town Without Pity' and 'Twenty-four Hours From Tulsa'.

Rest easy Gene.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Acorn4
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 12:39 PM

I always liked one of his less well known tracks - "Only Love can Break a Heart" - coincidentally the same title as the Neil Young song.

Subject: RE: Obit: Gene Pitney has passed away 5 Apr 2006
From: Suegorgeous
Date: 12 Nov 09 - 04:13 PM

No - Young's song is - Only love can break your heart.