Gene Pitney has died - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Penny Lane · 04-05-2006, 09:55 AM

He had many hit songs in the early 60's.

Town Without Pity
Only Love Can Break A heart
The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
24 Hours From Tulsa
It Hurts To Be In Love
I'm Gonna Be Strong
Mecca
Looking Through The Eyes Of Love

RIP Gene!

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Gene Pitney, the singer and songwriter known for 1960s hits such as "Town Without Pity" and "24 Hours from Tulsa," has died while on a UK concern tour, his agent said.

Pitney, 65, was found dead just after 10 a.m. Wednesday (0500 ET) at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, Wales.

His agent, Jene Levy, told Reuters Pitney died on Wednesday morning after given a concert in the Welsh capital the previous day.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death. Friends said he was in apparent good health and his death came as a shock.

"We don't have a cause of death at the moment but looks like it was a very peaceful passing," said Pitney's tour manager, James Kelly, according to The Associated Press.

"He was found fully clothed, on his back, as if he had gone for a lie down. It looks as if there was no pain whatsoever."

South Wales police said they had been called to a hotel at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday morning and that the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Pitney was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on February 17, 1941.

His 40-year career included hits such as "It Hurts to Be in Love," "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance," "Every Breath I Take," "Town Without Pity," "Only Love Can Break a Heart" and the operatic "I'm Gonna Be Strong." His last U.S. hit was "She's a Heartbreaker" in 1968.

Pitney was also a highly regarded songwriter -- he wrote the Crystals' No. 1 hit, "He's a Rebel," Rick Nelson's smash "Hello Mary Lou" and Bobby Vee's "Rubber Ball." Some of his own hits, though -- "Only Love," "Liberty Valance" and "Tulsa" -- were written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

He was an early subject of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound -- Spector produced Pitney's version of Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Every Breath I Take" as well as the Crystals' "He's a Rebel" -- and an early supporter of British bands such as the Rolling Stones.

Pitney recorded Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday" and attended the session at which the Stones recorded "Not Fade Away," according to Allmusic.com.

Pitney was introduced to a new generation of fans in 1989 when he recorded "Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart" as a duet with Marc Almond, the UK's Press Association reported.

The single gave Pitney his first UK No. 1 -- 22 years after its first release, PA added.

In 2002 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Pitney's agent told Reuters that his wife, Lynne, had been told of his death. Pitney also leaves three sons, David, Todd and Chris.

gilligan fanatic · 04-05-2006, 05:31 PM

this is sad. I wasn't the biggest fan of his but I loved him singing "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence". It is one of the few songs I actually no all the words too.

Sharop · 04-05-2006, 05:54 PM

Yes, I read it on the news. I was very taken aback and saddened. I'd only read an interview with him a few weeks ago. And like the reports have said, he was absolutely fine, there was nothing wrong with him. It's horrible when someone dies suddenly, unexpectedly. It's just so weird.

I really like the song "24 Hours From Tulsa."

RIP Mr Pitney.

80sTrivia · 04-05-2006, 06:12 PM

Very sad to hear about Mr. Pitney's passing...

Cactus Jack · 04-05-2006, 06:36 PM

RIP

Stormtracker TF · 04-05-2006, 06:43 PM

Wow, R.I.P. I definetly know who he is. He wasn't all that old, either.

staypuftman2004 · 04-05-2006, 07:05 PM

Cactus Jack · 04-05-2006, 07:55 PM

This article should be called A Town Without Pitney ... if you donb get it, you live under a rock

jamier42 · 04-06-2006, 04:40 PM

That is sad I liked his music alot. He was a great singer.

dawsongirl · 04-06-2006, 05:10 PM

My mom loves his stuff, as do I. And to just...die...with no cause. eek.

Let's all sing "It Hurts to be in Love."

dawsongirl · 04-06-2006, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack: Texas Smurftractor

This article should be called A Town Without Pitney ... if you donb get it, you live under a rock

True that.

Nighthawk76 · 04-06-2006, 05:35 PM

Cactus Jack · 04-06-2006, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawsongirl

True that.

Fleet · 04-07-2006, 12:29 AM

Too bad. These days, 65 years old is almost young.
My favorite of his songs is "Only Love Can Break A Heart" (1962).

James · 04-08-2006, 09:56 PM

Wow, I never heard about this!

I listen to the hourly news on the radio every day, but I did not hear of this at all. R. I. P. to a great singer!

04-05-2006, 09:55 AM	#1
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 51,261	Gene Pitney has died He had many hit songs in the early 60's. Town Without Pity Only Love Can Break A heart The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 24 Hours From Tulsa It Hurts To Be In Love I'm Gonna Be Strong Mecca Looking Through The Eyes Of Love RIP Gene! LONDON, England (CNN) -- Gene Pitney, the singer and songwriter known for 1960s hits such as "Town Without Pity" and "24 Hours from Tulsa," has died while on a UK concern tour, his agent said. Pitney, 65, was found dead just after 10 a.m. Wednesday (0500 ET) at the Hilton Hotel in Cardiff, Wales. His agent, Jene Levy, told Reuters Pitney died on Wednesday morning after given a concert in the Welsh capital the previous day. There was no immediate word on the cause of death. Friends said he was in apparent good health and his death came as a shock. "We don't have a cause of death at the moment but looks like it was a very peaceful passing," said Pitney's tour manager, James Kelly, according to The Associated Press. "He was found fully clothed, on his back, as if he had gone for a lie down. It looks as if there was no pain whatsoever." South Wales police said they had been called to a hotel at 9:50 a.m. on Wednesday morning and that the death was not being treated as suspicious. Pitney was born in Hartford, Connecticut, on February 17, 1941. His 40-year career included hits such as "It Hurts to Be in Love," "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance," "Every Breath I Take," "Town Without Pity," "Only Love Can Break a Heart" and the operatic "I'm Gonna Be Strong." His last U.S. hit was "She's a Heartbreaker" in 1968. Pitney was also a highly regarded songwriter -- he wrote the Crystals' No. 1 hit, "He's a Rebel," Rick Nelson's smash "Hello Mary Lou" and Bobby Vee's "Rubber Ball." Some of his own hits, though -- "Only Love," "Liberty Valance" and "Tulsa" -- were written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. He was an early subject of Phil Spector's Wall of Sound -- Spector produced Pitney's version of Carole King and Gerry Goffin's "Every Breath I Take" as well as the Crystals' "He's a Rebel" -- and an early supporter of British bands such as the Rolling Stones. Pitney recorded Mick Jagger and Keith Richards' "That Girl Belongs to Yesterday" and attended the session at which the Stones recorded "Not Fade Away," according to Allmusic.com. Pitney was introduced to a new generation of fans in 1989 when he recorded "Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart" as a duet with Marc Almond, the UK's Press Association reported. The single gave Pitney his first UK No. 1 -- 22 years after its first release, PA added. In 2002 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Pitney's agent told Reuters that his wife, Lynne, had been told of his death. Pitney also leaves three sons, David, Todd and Chris. Attached Images
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04-05-2006, 05:31 PM	#2
gilligan fanatic Born to Be Bad Forum Fanatic Join Date: May 06, 2001 Location: down by the Lagoon Posts: 9,954	this is sad. I wasn't the biggest fan of his but I loved him singing "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valence". It is one of the few songs I actually no all the words too.
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04-05-2006, 05:54 PM	#3
Sharop Andy Gibb aged 12 Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 03, 2004 Location: Courthouse Square, Hill Valley, beside the clocktower, 10:04 p.m., November 12th 1955 Posts: 3,912	Yes, I read it on the news. I was very taken aback and saddened. I'd only read an interview with him a few weeks ago. And like the reports have said, he was absolutely fine, there was nothing wrong with him. It's horrible when someone dies suddenly, unexpectedly. It's just so weird. I really like the song "24 Hours From Tulsa." RIP Mr Pitney.
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04-05-2006, 06:12 PM	#4
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,714	Very sad to hear about Mr. Pitney's passing...
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04-05-2006, 06:36 PM	#5
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	RIP
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04-05-2006, 06:43 PM	#6
Stormtracker TF Happy Easter! Moderator Forum Idol Join Date: Jul 19, 2002 Location: Detroit, Michigan Posts: 102,598	Wow, R.I.P. I definetly know who he is. He wasn't all that old, either.
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04-05-2006, 07:05 PM	#7
staypuftman2004 NWO-4-LIFE Senior Member Join Date: Sep 01, 2003 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,450
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04-05-2006, 07:55 PM	#8
Cactus Jack RonFingSwanson Forum Idol Join Date: Dec 09, 2001 Location: Santa Rosa Beach,FL Posts: 103,099	This article should be called A Town Without Pitney ... if you donb get it, you live under a rock

04-06-2006, 04:40 PM	#9
jamier42 Member Senior Member Join Date: Nov 09, 2000 Posts: 1,263	That is sad I liked his music alot. He was a great singer.

04-06-2006, 05:10 PM	#10
dawsongirl Member Forum Icon Join Date: Jan 04, 2001 Posts: 53,140	My mom loves his stuff, as do I. And to just...die...with no cause. eek. Let's all sing "It Hurts to be in Love."

04-06-2006, 05:35 PM	#12
Nighthawk76 Rachel Berry Forum Celebrity Join Date: Feb 28, 2003 Location: Illinois Posts: 23,254

04-07-2006, 12:29 AM	#14
Fleet Mansions, limousines & H-ween Forum Star Join Date: Jan 06, 2002 Location: Northridge/Porter Ranch, California Posts: 15,625	Too bad. These days, 65 years old is almost young. My favorite of his songs is "Only Love Can Break A Heart" (1962).
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04-08-2006, 09:56 PM	#15
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	Wow, I never heard about this! I listen to the hourly news on the radio every day, but I did not hear of this at all. R. I. P. to a great singer!