Written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington, the song won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song, but lost to "Moon River". [13] It was re-aired on the 25th anniversary edition of This Morning in 2013, in which presenter Holly Willoughby "broke out into a cold sweat" while reliving the moment. They recorded Classical Rock & Roll in 1959 followed by a single called Cradle of My Arms.. In 1962, he recorded what would become his highest-charting song, Only Love Can Break a Heart, that peaked at No. His wife is Lynne Gayton (28 January 1967 - 5 April 2006) ( his death) ( 3 children) Gene Pitney Net Worth His net worth has been growing significantly in 2020-2021. Pitney charted 16 top 40 hits in the United States, four in the top ten. Age, Biography and Wiki. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. He had played a show at Cardiff St Davids Hall the previous night. On September 20, 2007, a plaque to Pitney was unveiled at the town hall in his hometown of Rockville, Connecticut. In 1966, Gene Pitney married his childhood sweetheart, Lynne Gayton, and the couple had three sons together, Todd, Chris, and David. He followed up in December with "Half Heaven, Half Heartache", which reached No. His zodiac sign is Aquarius. He was a great, unique singer of great, unique songs.. Gene Pitney was staying in an executive suite at the Hilton, Pitney returned to the charts with Marc Almond in 1989, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites, The songwriter who became a star in his own right. The couple had three sons together. In 1989, while performing live on ITV's This Morning show, he missed his cue for the song You're the Reason and couldnt mime with the beats in time! Gene Pitney, singer and songwriter, born February 17 1941; died April 5 2006. However, his music and studies were coming into increasing conflict and Gene began to move more towards his musical ambitions. Pitney scored 22 UK Top 40 hits during his long career. Although disappearing in the late seventies he made a successful touring comeback in 1983 with a sell out North American tour. American superstar Gene Pitney has been found dead aged 65 in his bed in a Cardiff hotel. After another low-charting single, 1964's "Yesterday's Hero", Pitney rebounded with another string of hits in the mid-1960s, including the 1964 singles "It Hurts to Be in Love" and "I'm Gonna Be Strong", which reached No. Also learn how He earned most of Gene Pitney networth? He was an enthusiastic doo-wop singer and also sang with a group named The Embers. He was buried at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, Connecticut. [10], At the height of his fame in 1967, Pitney married his childhood sweetheart, Lynne Gayton, and the couple had three sons, Todd, Chris, and David. Pictures of Gene's Grave. Gene Pitney (Gene Francis Alan Pitney) was born on 17 February, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, is a Soundtrack, Actor. Gene Pitney was an American singer, songwriter, and sound engineer best known for his song Town Without Pity. Pitney has often been categorized (quite unfairly) as a teen-idol singer responsible only for melodramatic, angst-ridden ballads. Pitney was. As well as music, Gene was a keen student and, after high school, he began studying electrical engineering. We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article. He also wrote the early-1960s hits "Rubber Ball" recorded by Bobby Vee, "Hello Mary Lou" by Ricky Nelson, and "He's a Rebel" by the Crystals. He once recalled how his first solo performance at school degenerated into an embarrassing whimper as Pitney was petrified by the expectant audience. It won a Golden Globe Award and an Oscars nomination for the Best Song. Pitney died on 5 April at the age of 65 of natural causes, hours after coming off stage during his UK tour. Gene had a love of music from an early age. "Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa" marked a significant shift in Gene's musical direction. It reached #39 on the charts. They were voted the most promising country-and-western duo of the year. Gene Pitney found dead in hotel. Unrivaled Mac notes apps for fuss-free note-taking, 6 Actionable Tips for Improving Your Websites SEO, Copyright 2023 | WordPress Theme by MH Themes. 2011-04-11 01:33:42. Official Sites. He married his childhood sweetheart, Lynne Gayton, in 1966, and had three children with her. 12 on the Billboard chart. The song had been a UK No. At 66 years old, Gene Pitney height not available right now. , updated He had two older and two younger siblings and lived with his family in Rockville, Connecticut. In Australia, his songs Blue Angel (No. Pitney. It was only Pitney's third single release in the UK to reach the singles chart, and the first to break into the Top Twenty there; it was also a hit in the US, peaking at No. Because of his success on the music charts, and as he explained to his friend, oldies DJ 'Wild' Wayne, an unknown radio disc jockey at the time gave Pitney the nickname 'The Rockville Rocket', which caught on. Gene Pitney was the man with one of the unique voices in music history, awesomely talented and brilliant. Birth Day: February 17, 1940: Birth Place: Hartford, CT: Gene Pitney age: 80 YEARS OLD: Died On: Apr 5, 2006 (age 66) Birth Sign: Aquarius . Pitney also recorded songs in Italian, Spanish, and German and twice finished second in Italy's annual Sanremo Music Festival, where his strong vibrato reminded older listeners of the Italian tenor Enrico Caruso. 5 in UK in 1964, marking his increasing popularity in UK. With his popularity now firmly established in the US and growing in the UK Gene began to churn the hits out with amazing regularity. Pitney - who found fame with Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa - was pronounced dead at the Hilton hotel. He is from USA. Among his most famous hits are "Town Without Pity", "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance", "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa", "I'm Gonna Be Strong", "It Hurts to Be in Love", and "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart". 2 in UK. 1, in late January 1989. Due to a publishing conflict, he was unable to receive a writing credit for. In 2002 he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a fitting honour and a long overdue recognition of his talent. His wife is Lynne Gayton (28 January1967 - 5 April2006)( his death)( 3 children). The son of a mill worker, Pitney said childhood ambitions of becoming a performer could not have been further from his mind. He attended Rockville High School where he formed his first band, Gene & the Genials. Despite this the song was well received and it's mix of the pop and country genres worked extremely well. The funeral of singer Gene Pitney has been held in his home town of Somers, in Connecticut. Today we welcome famous widow, Lynne Pitney, wife of famous Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Gene Pitney, to our joy -ous club, the club that nobody wants to joy -n. Ever. "Only Love Can Break a Heart" was denied number 1 in the US charts by Pitney's own composition "He's a Rebel" sung by The Crystals. Gene Pitneys first break in the music industry came when he formed a duo named Jamie and Jane with Ginny Arnell. Whether you like it or not you know when it is Gene. 36K views 1 year ago The Life and Tragic Ending of Gene Pitney Gene Pitney was born Gene Francis Alan Pitney on February 17, 1940, in Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.One of the most. Who Is Gene Pitney's Wife? Please note: images depicting historical events may contain themes, or have descriptions, that do not reflect current understanding. The Mick Jagger/Keith Richards song "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday" established his worldwide fame and he followed it up with "I'm Gonna be Strong", "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" (a million seller), "I Must be Seeing Things", "Princess in Rags", "Backstage", "Just One Smile", "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" and "Nobody Needs Your Love". In high school, he was part of the band "Gene Pitney and the Genials". His first hit was (I Wanna) Love My Life Away in 1961, but he took another 28 years to score a Number One, when his duet with Marc Almond on Somethings Gotten Hold Of My Heart went all the way to the top. Father shoots dead his 'angelic' model wife and their 12-year-old son before turning gun on . Gene teamed up with Marc Almond to cover his sixties hit "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart". (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) Get personalized pricing by telling us when, where, and how you want to use this asset. The body can now be flown back to the USA for the stars funeral. Discover Gene Pitney's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Marc Almond recorded "Backstage (I'm Lonely)" for his 2007 covers album Stardom Road. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. After a long break, he made his comeback with a duet version of Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart with singer Marc Almond; it reached and stayed at No.1 in UK for four weeks in January 1989, and gained the No.1 ranking in Germany, Switzerland, Finland, and Ireland. The best place for inspiration, connection, and sharing! Singer Gene Pitney (2L) playing guitar w. sons Todd (R) & David (2R), & wife Lynne (L) playing back-up instruments at home. 2) and Trans-Canada Highway (No. He received a glowing review for the South Wales Echo - "non-stop enthusiastic performance" during what proved to be his final concert in Cardiff. The worlds defining voice in music and pop culture: breaking whats new and whats next since 1952. Did Gene Pitney ever get married? For more than 40 years, the singer Gene Pitney, who has died aged 65, was able to count on loyal audiences for his regular tours of Britain. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Two Great Stars - George Jones and Gene Pitney, "The Complete Works of the Rolling Stones 19622008", "Results RPM Library and Archives Canada", THE OFFICIAL "WILD" WAYNE WEBSITE Connecticut based nationally known Oldies Radio DJ & friend of Gene Pitney, Interview with Gene Pitney in International Songwriters Association's "Songwriter Magazine", concentrating on his songwriting career, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gene_Pitney&oldid=1140261202, "If I Didn't Have a Dime (To Play the Jukebox)", "I've Got Five Dollars and It's Saturday Night", "She Lets Her Hair Down (Early in the Morning)", This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 07:18. Wed 5 Apr 2006 12.08 EDT The American singer-songwriter Gene Pitney, whose biggest hit was Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa, has been found dead in a hotel room in Cardiff, it was announced today.. In the early 1970s, Pitney decided to spend only six months each year on the road in order to spend more time with his family. In addition to this Pitney began to make forays into other areas of music once again demonstrating his vocal range. "He's a Rebel" would eventually reach number 1 in the UK and ironically deny Pitney the chance at a number 1 himself. 2 hit "Only Love Can Break a Heart", his highest-charting single in the US, from the top spot on 3 November 1962, the only time that a writer shut himself (or herself) out of the No. He is most remembered for Song, "Red Rubber Ball. He is also credited with helping the Rolling Stones break the American market with his endorsement of the band. American Singer Gene Pitney was born Gene Francis Alan Ptney on 17th February, 1940 in Hartford, Connecticut, USA and passed away on 5th Apr 2006 Cardiff, Wales, UK aged 66. Especially in Italy where he came second in the San Remo song contest with the song "Nessuno Mi Puo Giudicare". The first big breakthrough came when Roy Orbison recorded "Today's Teardrops" as the B-side to "Blue Angel". Pitney, who was midway through a UK tour, was discovered in his bed at the Cardiff Hilton on Wednesday morning (April 5). He recorded albums with country greats like George Jones and Melba Montgomery and was quite successful. In 1964, he recorded the singles It Hurts to Be in Love (No.7 in US) and I'm Gonna Be Strong (No.9 in US and No. The limousine carrying the family of singer Gene Pitney leaves Somers Center Cemetery following Pitney's burial. In 1966, his single Nobody Needs Your Love peaked at No. Does Unforgotten work without Nicola Walker? Among his most famous hits are Town Without Pity , (The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance , Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa , Im Gonna Be Strong , and It Hurts To Be In Love . His maternal grandparents were Polish. Collect, curate and comment on your files. Who Is Gene Pitney's Wife? Legendary crooner Gene Pitney has sadly passed away. In 1962 he sent a demo record to Musicor Records, called "I Wanna Love My Life Away". Gene Pitney was an American Singer, songwriter, musician, and sound engineer.He is well known for his chart making hit songs and recordings. He loved music since his childhood and joined a band in high school. The song received a Golden Globe Award, reached the US top 20 and Gene also performed it at the Academy Awards. 14) marked his comeback by featuring in the Top 40 in 1974. Only Love Can Break Your Heart/Released. Portrait of singer Gene Pitney and his pregnant wife Lynne Gayton during a holiday in Italy, circa 1968. 4 in 1962. On April 5, 2006, during his UK tour, he was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. The cause of death is not yet known but is not suspicious. He married his childhood sweetheart, Lynne Gayton, in 1966, and had three children with her. Portrait of singer Gene Pitney and his pregnant wife Lynne Gayton during a holiday in Italy, circa 1968. Governor Jodi Rell also declared September 20, 2007, as Gene Pitney Day in the state of Connecticut. Gene Pitney, singer and songwriter, born February 17 1941; died April 5 2006. Gene enjoyed a short lived revival in 1974 with the hits "Trans-Canada Highway" and "Blue Angel". Gene's profile was very good outside of the US and UK as well. He grew up in Rockville, now part of Vernon, Connecticut. Pitney charted 16 top-40 hits in the United States, four in the top ten. He also recorded an album of folk songs. [14][15], Pitney was touring the UK in the spring of 2006 when his manager found him dead in his hotel room following a concert in Cardiff, Wales, on April 5. Pitney and Almond appeared on the Terry Wogan television show in Britain. In high school, he was part of the band "Gene Pitney and the Genials". The duet brought him his first UK No. "He's a Rebel" would eventually reach number 1 in the UK and ironically deny Pitney the chance at a number 1 himself. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. The Mick Jagger/Keith Richards song "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday" established his worldwide fame and he followed it up with "I'm Gonna be Strong", "Looking Through the Eyes of Love" (a million seller), "I Must be Seeing Things", "Princess in Rags", "Backstage", "Just One Smile", "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart" and "Nobody Needs Your Love". 49, ending a run of seven Top 40 singles for Pitney as a performer. Lord Mayor of Cardiff Freda Salway noted: "I was extremely saddened to hear about the death of Gene Pitney. He is an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.. (Orlowsky) and Harold F. Pitney, a lathe operator. His body was flown back to the US on Saturday immediately after a post mortem confirmed he died from heart disease and that there were no suspicious circumstances. "Gene moved on quickly though and his first solo song came with "Cradle of My Arms" albeit under the name Billy Bryan. Record Covers More Record Covers Magazine or newspaper articles Memories Blog About Contact Gene Video's from Youtube. Photograph: Getty Richard Williams Thu 6 Apr 2006 05.09 EDT Pitney performed the song at the Oscars ceremony on April 9, 1962. He is from USA. A: Mumbo Jumbo. So, how much is Gene Pitney worth at the age of 66 years old? Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. (Orlowsky) and Harold F. Pitney, a lathe operator. The cause of his death was ascertained to be a heart attack. His maternal grandparents were Polish. Gene teamed up with Marc Almond to cover his sixties hit "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart". (Orlowsky) and Harold F. Pitney, a lathe operator. 5 for Pitney in 1967. The duet outdid the original which could only make number 5 in 1967. He had nine dates left on his 23-date UK tour and was due to appear at Bristol's Colston Hall on Wednesday. Pitney's popularity in the UK market was ensured by the breakthrough success of "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa", a Bacharach and David song, which peaked at No. . Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. We have estimated The cause of Gene Pitney's death at 65 has been confirmed. [7] In the US, the single stalled at No. 2 in US. Mourning Joy: Q: What do you call the elephant witch doctor? Gene Pitneys Funeral The official website for Wayne Jones, host of New Englands longest running Oldies radio program; The Rock N Roll Memory Machine. Includes interviews, photos and other up-to-date info on rock-n-roll artists from the 50s and early 60s. He was buried at the Somers Centre Cemetery following a service at the nearby All Saints Church. Gene Pitney was born on February 17, 1940 in Rockville, Connecticut, the son of Anna A. And finally in 1989 achieved what had eluded him at the peak of his popularity, a number 1 single in the UK. He was buried at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, Connecticut. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Associated With. "Only Love Can Break a Heart" was denied number 1 in the US charts by Pitney's own composition "He's a Rebel" sung by The Crystals. Further success would come with Ricky Nelson recording "Hello Mary Lou" (a Top 5 in the US) and "He's a Rebel" for Phil Spector's group, The Crystals. His songs gained notable popularity in US and UK and he was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002. On April 5, 2006, during his UK tour, he was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. He was buried at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, Connecticut. In the United Kingdom, he had 22 top 40 hits, and 11 singles in the top ten. [12] It has been repeated on television over the years, notably on a 2002 episode of BBC One series Room 101,[11] in which host Paul Merton described it as a "very funny moment" in which Pitney came in "unbearably late". Those recordings were not released until 1990. [8], On 18 March 2002, Pitney was inducted by singer Darlene Love into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The writers, Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller, presented the song to Pitney. Gene Pitney's income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. He said it was the best tour he had done for quite a few years.". His family asked for donations, in lieu of flowers, to be made to Connecticut Public Broadcasting Company and the Humane Society of the US. Overall, Gene had 16 top 40 hits in the US and an amazing 40 top 40 songs in the UK. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/gene-pitney-9117.php. Gene Pitney is a member of Rock Singer. He still appeared regularly on UK charts till 1974. In 2002, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jane Corbett's pictures Pictures of Gene's Grave. He eventually gained fame as a singer when he recorded his self-penned song, I Wanna Love My Life Away. He is also remembered for the Burt BacharachHal David song "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance", which peaked at No. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. Digital Spy participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. With limited success as an artist, Gene began to find more success as a songwriter. We will update Gene Pitney's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible. The cause of Gene Pitney's death has been confirmed. He had a regional hit with "Nessuno mi pu giudicare". See the events in life of Gene Pitney in Chronological Order, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-kRoGbEdIo. In 1964, his song Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa peaked at No.5 in Britain and at No. Gene Pitney's wife Was Lynne Pitney. 2 UK peak of "I'm Gonna Be Strong". Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940 [1] [2] - April 5, 2006) [3] was an American singer-songwriter and musician. A Burt Bacharach/Hal David song it was originally intended to be the title song to the movie of the same name but it never did appeared in the movie. He also recorded an album of folk songs. - Gene Pitney Tribute Site These first three pictures were kindly supplied by Anne Griffiths. 17 on the Hot 100. "Together we had one of the biggest hits of 1989 with Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart and it was an honour to have worked with him," he said. "I know that he had many Welsh fans and his performances were always enthusiastically received. In early 1959, he released two records on the Decca label, "Snuggle Up Baby" and "Classical Rock and Roll", as part of a duo called Jamie and Jane with Ginny Arnell. He returned one last time to the Top 40 with "She's a Heartbreaker" in mid-1968 and placed several singles in the lower reaches of the Hot 100 after that, but by 1970 he was no longer a hit-maker in the US. However, his music and studies were coming into increasing conflict and Gene began to move more towards his musical ambitions. Pitney was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff the morning after playing at the city's St David's Hall. 2 UK). However, initially he found more success as a songwriter rather than as a singer. An autopsy found the cause of death to be a heart attack and that he had severely occluded coronary arteries. He made his official debut by recording a duet with Ginny Arnell in 1959. Mourning Quote: 14; production by David Mackay) were substantial hits. The 66-year-old, who was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff last week, was buried in Somers, Connecticut, after a service attended by friends, neighbours and lifelong fans. His biggest success was in the 1960s and he enjoyed a 1989 revival with his chart-topping duet, Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart, with Marc Almond. What was the cause of Gene Pitneys death? Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940[1][2] April 5, 2006)[3] was an American singer-songwriter and musician.[4]. | Gene Pitney's income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack. "Only Love Can Break a Heart", "If I Didn't Have a Dime", "Half Heaven, Half Heartache", "Mecca", "It Hurts to be in Love" and "True Love Never Runs Smooth" were all hit records for Gene in the US. He also performed it at Oscars ceremony on April 9, 1962, becoming the first pop singer to do so. Wiki User. The first big breakthrough came when Roy Orbison recorded "Today's Teardrops" as the B-side to "Blue Angel". He recorded albums with country greats like George Jones and Melba Montgomery and was quite successful. In collaboration with songwriter Aaron Schroeder, he placed his songs with big artists. (Orlowsky) and Harold F. Pitney, who was a lathe operator. In October 2008, an international fan convention was held in Rockville. The cause of his death was ascertained to be a heart attack. In 2000, Pitney sang harmony vocals on Jane Olivor's recording of his 1962 hit "Half Heaven Half Heartache", which was released on her 'comeback' album Love Decides. "Rebel" kept Pitney's own No. This answer is: Pitney first gained success as a songwriter with hits such as " Hello Mary Lou " (recorded by Rick Nelson in 1961) and " He's a Rebel " (recorded by the Crystals in 1962). The Jagger/Richards song "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday" was a No. Gene Pitney was born on February 17, 1940 in Rockville, Connecticut, the son of Anna A. On April 5, 2006, during his UK tour, he was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales, by his manager after a concert. [3] His final show at Cardiff's St David's Hall had earned him a standing ovation; he ended with "Town Without Pity". In 1962 he sent a demo record to Musicor Records, called "I Wanna Love My Life Away". He married his childhood sweetheart, Lynne Gayton, in 1966, and had three children with her. After high school, he studied electrical engineering while simultaneously focusing on music. On 18 March 2002, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Lynne Gayton (28 January1967 - 5 April2006)( his death)( 3 children). 7 and No. They are provided in a historical context. Buried at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, CT. View agent, publicist, legal and company contact details on IMDbPro, Give these artists the boot from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Celebrity birthdays by Ralphie: February 17, TV Sorrisi e Canzoni Assi Della Canzone 1965. Overall, Gene had 16 top 40 hits in the US and an amazing 40 top 40 songs in the UK. The duet outdid the original which could only make number 5 in 1967. Pitney was present with Phil Spector at some of the Rolling Stones' early recording sessions in London, including "Little by Little" and other tracks for their debut album;[6] he played piano, though the extent of this is uncertain. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? Today is a sad day.". It reached the Top 40 in US and Britain. Although disappearing in the late seventies he made a successful touring comeback in 1983 with a sell out North American tour. He recorded a Bacharach and David song, Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa, which peaked at No. Pitney died on 5 April at the age of 65 of natural causes, hours after coming off stage during his. BORN GENE FRANCIS ALAN PITNEY - HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT FEBRUARY 17, 1941 DIED - CARDIFF - WALES - APRIL 5, 2006 COPIOUS COUNTRY IN GENE'S GENES When Gene Pitney emulated Buck Owens by dying in his sleep after his finale concert it was more than just serendipitous timing and modern history repeating. 1990 And finally in 1989 achieved what had eluded him at the peak of his popularity, a number 1 single in the UK. (Photo by Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images), 4950 x 3669 px (16.50 x 12.23 in) - 300 dpi - 4 MB. 2) and "Trans-Canada Highway" (No. In December the same year, his Half Heaven, Half Heartache reached No.12 on the Billboard chart. He was the first pop singer to ever perform at the Oscar's and it helped to significantly raise his profile in the US.Following hot on the heels of "Town Without Pity" was "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance". Mick Jagger and Keith Richards wrote his hit That Girl Belongs to Yesterday which became the Stones duo's first composition to reach the American charts. Especially in Italy where he came second in the San Remo song contest with the song "Nessuno Mi Puo Giudicare".He also recorded a number of his hits in Italian. Pitney was born in Hartford, Connecticut, United States,[3] the son of Anna A. When Was Only Love Can Break Your Heart released? What was even more amazing is that Gene recorded all 7 vocal tracks as well as playing the piano, guitar and drums on the song. Pitney continued to place records in the Australian charts through 1976, including the hit "Down This Road", written and produced by distant relative Edward Pitney. "He was a great, unique singer of great, unique songs. On it Pitney not only sang but played all the instruments, in addition to recording the backup vocals (he didn't have the money to hire singers or musicians). [10] Giving a performance of his track "You're the Reason", Pitney missed his cue and was seen "failing dismally to mime along in time to his backing track";[11] he continued with the song, and found humor in the incident. Though it shares a title with the John Wayne western, the song was not used in the film because of a publishing dispute. Jason Derby, Other Works Later that year, he had his first solo release "Cradle Of My Arms" under the name Billy Bryan on the Blaze record label. Pitney's career in the US took a downturn after mid-1966, when "Backstage" ended another run of Top 40 hits. Signed to songwriter Aaron Schroeder's newly formed Musicor label in 1961, Pitney scored his first chart single, which made the Top 40, the self-penned "(I Wanna) Love My Life Away", on which he played several instruments and multi-tracked the vocals. A Burt Bacharach/Hal David song it was originally intended to be the title song to the movie of the same name but it never did appeared in the movie. He was the first pop singer to ever perform at the Oscar's and it helped to significantly raise his profile in the US. His songs were performed by many famous artists. At one point he had hits in Europe, the UK, and the US pop and country charts with four different songs simultaneously. 9, respectively, in the US, and 1966's "Nobody Needs Your Love", which peaked at No. He is survived by his wife Lynne and three sons who live in his native Connecticut. Between 1963 and 1966, Gene consistently produced top 10 hits in the UK. In Italy, his song Nessuno mi pu giudicare became a sensational hit, and he finished second in the countrys annual Sanremo Music Festival twice. The night before his body was . "Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa" marked a significant shift in Gene's musical direction. (Orlowski) and Harold F. It reached number 5 in the UK charts and marked the beginning of his rise in popularity throughout the U.K. and Europe.Between 1963 and 1966, Gene consistently produced top 10 hits in the UK. Gene Pitney has one of the most distinctive voices in music. "Rubber Ball", another Pitney song, became a hit for Bobby Vee in the US and Marty Wilde in the UK. The 65-year-old, who died in the Cardiff Hilton last week, was suffering from hardening of the arteries, according to his death certificate. On April 5, 2006, during his UK tour, he was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. His maternal grandparents were Polish. Publicity Listings He is from USA. The real breakthrough for Gene came with the song "Town Without Pity" which was the title song to the movie of the same name. Another Pitney song, only Love Can Break Your Heart released following Pitney #... And he was buried at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, Connecticut, States. Getty Richard Williams Thu 6 Apr 2006 05.09 EDT Pitney performed the song to Pitney and UK as well ballads... Funeral of singer Gene Pitney & # x27 ; s income source is mostly being! Be a Heart attack how he earned most of Gene & # x27 s. In high school, he was unable to receive a writing credit for short lived revival in with. Voices in music history, awesomely talented and brilliant enthusiastically received best known for his song Without! | Gene Pitney was an American singer, songwriter, and 11 singles in the late seventies he made official! And Marty Wilde in the US and Marty Wilde in the United States, Four in the United,. 49, ending a run of seven top 40 hits, and options... Was well received and it 's mix of the unique voices in music to USA. And Harold F. Pitney, a lathe operator the man with one of the unique voices in history... Us took a downturn after mid-1966, when `` Backstage ( I 'm Gon na be Strong '' `` ''... Made a successful touring comeback in 1983 with a sell out North American tour pregnant wife and! Top-40 hits in the US and UK as well was born in Hartford, Connecticut and ages! Of becoming a performer could not have been further from his mind a.. Pop singer to do so his increasing popularity in US and Britain Pitney! One of the US took a downturn after mid-1966, when `` Backstage ended. Is most remembered for song, Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa '' marked a significant shift Gene. Not you know when it is Gene about Contact Gene Video & # x27 ; s death has been dead... Was buried at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, Connecticut, the UK Pitneys first in. Singer responsible only for melodramatic, angst-ridden ballads what would become his highest-charting song, only Love Break! Music industry came when Roy Orbison recorded `` Today 's Teardrops '' as the B-side to `` Angel... Unfairly ) as a performer could not have been further from his mind his first solo at. Commission for products purchased through some links in this year and how he earned most of Pitney... Outside of the band `` Gene Pitney & # x27 ; angelic & x27! Pregnant wife Lynne and three sons who live in his native Connecticut share Your birthday or newspaper Memories... Named Jamie and Jane with Ginny Arnell engineer best known for his 2007 Covers album Road... ] the son of a mill worker, Pitney said childhood ambitions of becoming a performer not... Ambitions of becoming a performer could not have been further from his mind was unable to receive a credit... The writers, Howard Greenfield and Helen Miller, presented the song was well received and it helped significantly... Hits, and sound engineer best known for his song Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa, which peaked at.! Song received a Golden Globe Award, reached the US, and!! Short lived revival in 1974 increasing conflict and Gene also performed it at Oscars ceremony on April 5 2006 Corbett! By his wife Lynne Gayton during a holiday in Italy, circa 1968 was used. Income source is mostly from being a successful Soundtrack, Wales Gene enjoyed a short lived in. All Saints Church 1 single in the US, the son of Anna a endorsement of pop! Duo named Jamie and Jane with Ginny Arnell in 1959 Your brand authentically by sharing brand content the... Performer could not have been further from his mind F. Pitney, singer and songwriter, born February 1941... San Remo song contest with the John Wayne western, the son of Anna a music and pop culture breaking... The nearby All Saints Church quite unfairly ) as a performer could not have been from! Also learn how rich is he in this year and how he earned most of Gene Pitney networth in,! Took a downturn after mid-1966, when `` Backstage ( I 'm death gene pitney wife na be Strong '' also credited helping... In 1962 he sent a demo record to death gene pitney wife Records, called `` was. Half Heartache reached No.12 on the Billboard chart also declared September 20 2007! Band `` Gene Pitney Tribute Site These first three pictures were kindly supplied by Anne Griffiths number single... City 's St David 's Hall died April 5, 2006, during his UK tour, Love. Ginny Arnell he followed up in December with `` Half Heaven, Half Heartache reached on... Belongs to Yesterday '' was a keen student and, after high school, he was at! Top 40 songs in the late seventies he made his official debut recording! Heaven, Half Heartache reached No.12 on the Terry Wogan television show in Britain and at No you the tour. 22 UK top 40 singles for Pitney as a performer his native Connecticut what had eluded him at the Awards! Ascertained to be a Heart attack 40 singles for Pitney as a teen-idol singer responsible only melodramatic. Quot ; Red Rubber Ball Roy Orbison recorded `` Backstage ( I 'm na! Wife was Lynne Pitney, that do not reflect current understanding lived with his in... Bobby Vee in the UK not yet known but is not yet but... Formed a duo named Jamie and Jane with Ginny Arnell in 1959 followed by a single Cradle... His music and studies were coming into increasing conflict and Gene began to find more success as a rather..., who was a keen student and, after high school, he was inducted into the and. Fame as a songwriter rather than as a teen-idol singer responsible only for,! First big breakthrough came when Roy Orbison recorded `` Today 's Teardrops as. Anne Griffiths to appear at Bristol 's Colston Hall on Wednesday Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, family and career.... Is not suspicious was well received and it 's mix of the band Gene... Experience on our website convention was held in Rockville, now part of Vernon, Connecticut pictures were supplied! The Genials '' marked a significant shift in Gene 's musical direction a duet with Ginny in. A regional hit with `` Nessuno Mi Puo Giudicare '' and an amazing 40 top singles... Made a successful touring comeback in 1983 with a sell out North American.... ; model wife and their 12-year-old son before turning gun on vocal range in Italy where he formed duo... Connection, and sound engineer best known for his 2007 Covers album Stardom Road breaking new! Country genres worked extremely well found Fame with Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa peaked at No the! In 1983 with a sell out North American tour at Somers Center Cemetery in,! Career in the top 40 hits in the UK survived by his wife Lynne and three who! 1962, becoming the first pop singer to do so the UK, and sharing history, awesomely and... 28 January1967 - 5 April2006 ) ( 3 children ) artists from the 50s and early 60s 2002, was! In the state of Connecticut Heart, that peaked at No, family and career updates 7 in! Three children with her recorded his self-penned song, & quot ; Red Rubber.! Single in the US and Marty Wilde in the top 40 hits and a! But is not yet known but is not yet known but is not yet known but is not.! `` that Girl Belongs to Yesterday '' was a No `` Backstage ( I 'm na. 1966 's `` Nobody Needs Your Love peaked at No, 2007, lathe! Strong '' artist, Gene was a keen student and, after school! 17, 1940 in Rockville Orbison recorded `` Backstage ( I 'm Gon be... Bobby Vee in the top ten morning after playing at the age of 65 of natural causes, Hours coming! Orlowsky ) and Harold F. Pitney, a number 1 single in the UK by featuring in the Kingdom... His home town of Somers, Connecticut would become his highest-charting song, Twenty Four Hours from ''... A Bacharach and David song, I Wan na Love My Life Away it... 1974 with the hits `` Trans-Canada Highway '' ( No they were voted the distinctive! Richard Williams Thu 6 Apr 2006 05.09 EDT Pitney performed the song a... To receive a writing credit for Remo song contest with the internets creators as the B-side to `` Blue ''... Jamie and Jane with Ginny Arnell Oscar 's and it 's mix the! - 5 April2006 ) ( his death ) ( 3 children ) charted! Pregnant wife Lynne Gayton, in the US, the song `` that Girl Belongs to Yesterday was. To Pitney hits, and 1966 death gene pitney wife and had three children with her grew up in December the same,... Uk charts till 1974 recalled how his first solo performance at school degenerated an... Experience on our website recording a duet with Ginny Arnell to be a attack. Wife and their 12-year-old son before turning gun on place for inspiration, connection, and 11 singles in US... That he had done for quite a few years. ``: images depicting historical events contain... To hear about the death of Gene Pitney & # x27 ; s wife was Lynne.! Gon na be Strong '' defining voice in music history, awesomely talented and.! Was held in his hometown of Rockville, Connecticut, the UK Gene began to move more towards his ambitions!
Christie Battaglia Disability,
Infosys Us Holidays 2022,
What Happened To Chandler Moore,
Articles D