Obit: Ersel Hickey

Subject: Obit: Ersel Hickey
From: Cool Beans
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 04:52 PM

This just in...

    NEW YORK (AP) _ Ersel Hickey, a rockabilly singer best known for ``Bluebirds Over The Mountain,'' has died at age 70, according to a longtime friend.
    Hickey had been hospitalized at NYU Medical Center after surgery to have his bladder removed because of a tumor, according to Johnny Vallis, a friend and sometime publicist for the singer. He died after coming down with an infection, Vallis said.
    Hickey, a native of Brighton, N.Y., started singing in his teens, as a solo act and also with R&B groups. His first record, released in the late 1950s, was ``Then I'll Be Happy/Baby You're No Good.'' But he is best known for his 1958 hit ``Bluebirds Over The Mountain,'' which he also co-wrote. It was re-recorded by The Beach Boys a decade later.
    He also wrote songs for other artists, including Jackie Wilson's ``The Millionaire'' and LaVern Baker's ``A Little Bird Told Me So.''
    Hickey had no survivors, according to Vallis.

Subject: RE: Obit: Ersel Hickey
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Jul 04 - 05:04 PM

Sorry to hear that. I have a mint condition 45 rpm of Bluebirds Over the Mountains, which still sounds great to my ears. The song was also historic in that it was the shortest recording ever to hit the top 40. Or so I've read.

Jerry

Subject: RE: Obit: Ersel Hickey
From: GUEST,Bob Ayres
Date: 15 Jul 04 - 01:58 PM

Anyone happen to know what tv shows he was on. I think
I saw him twice. Maybe a latenight type format or bandstand?
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