Difference between revisions of "Gene Pitney"
(New page: Gene Francis Alan Pitney was born on February 17, 1940, in Hartford, Connecticut. An accomplished song writer, drummer, guitarist and pianist, he formed a band while in high school and in...) |
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| − | Gene Francis Alan Pitney was born on February 17, 1940, | + | '''Gene Francis Alan Pitney''' was born on February 17, 1940, |
in Hartford, Connecticut. | in Hartford, Connecticut. | ||
| − | An accomplished song writer, drummer, guitarist and pianist, | + | An accomplished [[song writer]], [[drummer]], [[guitarist]] and [[pianist]], |
| − | he formed a band while in high school and in 1961 as a solo artist | + | he formed a band while in high school and in 1961 as a [[solo artist]] |
had his first hit, “I Wanna Love My Life Away”, followed by | had his first hit, “I Wanna Love My Life Away”, followed by | ||
| − | “Town Without Pity” that won a Golden Globe Award for Best | + | “Town Without Pity” that won a [[Golden Globe Award]] for Best |
| − | Song in a Motion Picture and was nominated for an Academy Award. | + | Song in a Motion Picture and was nominated for an [[Academy Award]]. |
In 1962 Gene Pitney had two top ten hits, “Liberty Valance” and | In 1962 Gene Pitney had two top ten hits, “Liberty Valance” and | ||
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and “Hello Mary Lou” for Ricky Nelson. | and “Hello Mary Lou” for Ricky Nelson. | ||
| − | In 2002 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. | + | In 2002 he was inducted into the [[Rock and Roll Hall of Fame]]. |
While on tour in England, Gene Pitney died on April 5, 2006. | While on tour in England, Gene Pitney died on April 5, 2006. | ||
He was 65 years of age. | He was 65 years of age. | ||
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| + | {{DEFAULTSORT:Pitney, Gene}} | ||
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| + | [[Category:Musicians]] | ||
Latest revision as of 06:55, April 16, 2008
Gene Francis Alan Pitney was born on February 17, 1940, in Hartford, Connecticut.
An accomplished song writer, drummer, guitarist and pianist, he formed a band while in high school and in 1961 as a solo artist had his first hit, âI Wanna Love My Life Awayâ, followed by âTown Without Pityâ that won a Golden Globe Award for Best Song in a Motion Picture and was nominated for an Academy Award.
In 1962 Gene Pitney had two top ten hits, âLiberty Valanceâ and âOnly Love Can Break a Heartâ. In 1964 his âIt Hurts to be in Loveâ and âIâm Gonna Be Strongâ also charted in the top ten. Among his other hits were, âEvery Breath I Takeâ, âHalf Heaven â Half Heartacheâ, âMeccaâ, âTrue Love Never Runs Smoothâ, âTwenty Four Hours from Tulsaâ, âLast Chance to Turn Aroundâ, âLooking Through the Eyes of Loveâ and âSheâs A Heartbreakerâ.
Gene Pitney toured internationally, recording in English, Spanish and Italian and wrote several hit songs for others, including âHeâs a Rebelâ for the Crystals, âRubber Ballâ for Bobby Vee, and âHello Mary Louâ for Ricky Nelson.
In 2002 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
While on tour in England, Gene Pitney died on April 5, 2006. He was 65 years of age.