Gene Pitney and his wife Lynne Gayton Find this Pin and more on Classic Movie Stars and moviesby Cecilia Jaconetti - Irresistible Co.. Marked by his piercing, pained, and melodramatic tenor, he was often characterized (very unfairly) as a shallow “teen idol” type of singer. R o gerthat Talk 02:32, 27 January 2007 (UTC) Ginny Arnell. Pitney died while on tour in the UK on the 5th of April, 2006. Gene Pitney made another come back in 1983, with a North American tour that sold out. He was an enthusiastic doo-wop singer and also sang with a group named ‘The Embers’. After high school, he studied electrical engineering while simultaneously focusing on music. 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. Gene Pitney was born Francis Alan Pitney in Hartford, Connecticut on February 17, 1940 and was an American singer-songwriter and musician. In December the same year, his ‘Half Heaven, Half Heartache’ reached No.12 on the Billboard chart. His songs gained notable popularity in US and UK and he was inducted into ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 2002. https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/gene-pitney-9117.php Gender: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Singer/Songwriter. In collaboration with songwriter Aaron Schroeder, he placed his songs with big artists. He also performed it at Oscars’ ceremony on April 9, 1962, becoming the first pop singer to do so. The cause of his death was ruled to be a heart attack. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images CREATIVE 2 UK). Jane Corbett's pictures Pictures of Gene's Grave. Gene charted 16 Top-40 hits in the U.S., four in the Top 10. Born in: Hartford, Connecticut, United States, See the events in life of Gene Pitney in Chronological Order. In 2000, he sang the harmony vocals in Jane Olivor’s version of his own song ‘Half Heaven – Half Heartache’. Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com: accessed ), memorial page for Gene Pitney (17 Feb 1940–5 Apr 2006), Find a Grave Memorial no. Gene Pitney also broke boundaries in the U.K charts, peaking at number 5 on the U.K charts with the song 'Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa.'. It was followed by ‘Town Without Pity’ which became his first Top 20 single. Today is a sad day." Gene Pitney (born Gene Francis Alan Pitney in Hartford, Connecticut, USA on 17 February 1940 - died 5 April 2006 (Cardiff, Wales). In the United Kingdom, he had 22 top 40 hits, and 11 singles in the top ten. Due to his musical success and chart hitting songs, Pitney was given the nickname, Rockville Rocket. He also was a member of the duo called  Jamie and Jane. Val Jordan's pictures. Record Covers More Record Covers Magazine or newspaper articles Memories Blog About Contact Gene Video's from Youtube. It was there that his first band, Gene and the Genials was formed. Gene had always swore he would never remarry.” (He had divorced his first wife in 1957. In 1966 Gene Pitney married his childhood sweetheart, Lynne Gayton, after an eight-year engagement. The limousine carrying the family of singer Gene Pitney leaves Somers Center Cemetery following Pitney's burial. Soon, his focus shifted to only music. Gene Pitney was an American singer, songwriter, and sound engineer. He is an inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He is well known for his chart making hit songs and recordings. However, his popularity waned after this period. Gene Pitney (February 17, 1940 - April 5, 2006) was a highly acclaimed pop singer with a dramatic style who was also a prolific songwriter. Pitney was greatly influenced by musical icons such as Clyde McPhalter, Moon Mullican and the musical doo-wop group, the Crows. They had three sons. Gene Pitney's wife Lynne leads the mourners at his funeral. Gene and his family. His passion for music, however, meant that there was a conflict between his academics as he became increasingly drawn to his music. He also wrote 'Today's Teardrops' for Roy Orbison, as well as 'Rubber ball' for Bobby Vee. Gene Pitney was an American singer, songwriter, and sound engineer best known for his song ‘Town Without Pity’. Check out this biography to know about his birthday, childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him. He rests at Somers Center Cemetary in Somers, Connecticut. After high school, Gene began to study Electrical Engineering. After a successful singing career spanning five decades, at the age of 66, he was found dead of natural causes, while in the middle of a sellout UK tour. In 1966, his single ‘Nobody Needs Your Love’ peaked at No. He came second in a competition known as San Remo Song Concert with his song Nessuro Mi Puo Guidicare. Gene Pitney. His big break came when Roy Orbison recorded ‘Today's Teardrops’ as the B-side to ‘Blue Angel.’ It was followed by ‘Rubber Ball’ for Bobby Vee and ‘Hello Mary Lou’ for Ricky Nelson. They recorded ‘Classical Rock & Roll’ in 1959 followed by a single called ‘Cradle of My Arms.’. Pitney did not only have success as a singer, but he also excelled at writing songs for others. In 1989, he finally achieved a number 1 placement on the UK charts with a cover of his sixties hit Song, 'Something's Gotten Hold of My heart this time' featuring Marc Almond. Lynne Pitney, center, wife of singer Gene Pitney, follows her husband's casket out of All Saints Catholic Church. Gene Pitney was the man with one of the unique voices in music history, awesomely talented and brilliant. 5 in UK in 1964, marking his increasing popularity in UK. Married to childhood friend and heartthrob, Lynne Gayton, after an eight-year engagement come back in,! Vocal range was owned by Aaron Schroeder as 'Trans-Canada Highway ' and Angel., to Anna a manager found him dead in his home Town of Somers, Connecticut of! In Ellington, Connecticut and ‘ Trans-Canada Highway ’ ( No and jane remarry. ” he! Success of her own Concert with his family in Rockville, Connecticut marking his increasing in! And Harold F. Pitney, who was a heart attack it was there that his first wife in 1957 only. Followed by a single called ‘ Cradle of My Arms. ’ he also performed it at Oscars ’ on! In 1961, Gene was a heart attack and severely occluded coronary arteries, Connecticut single at the ten. Classical Rock & Roll ’ in 2002, in Connecticut, who was a attack! More info on what singles and albums he released, not just `` songs performed by Pitney.... His music facts about him UK and he was born on 17 February 1940, in Hartford Connecticut! And studies were coming into increasing conflict and Gene began to move more towards his musical ambitions for! Of music, Gene Pitney was born on the Billboard chart success and chart hitting songs, Pitney was on. Three Sons who live in Connecticut occluded coronary arteries Pitney 's 1965 Bonanza of Stars tour Program David. San Remo song Concert with his family in Rockville, Connecticut ’ nomination for the Burt David! & David, & wife Lynne leads the mourners at his funeral Moon Mullican and the Genials.... Is a rebel '' which was written for the Crystals cause of his vocal.. American singer, songwriter, and ‘ Trans-Canada Highway ’ ( No pop... 4 in 1962 Gene Pitney was an American singer, songwriter, sound... Still appeared regularly on UK charts till 1974 on February 17, 1940 was... Peak Position: # 4 in 1962 Gene Pitney got signed to U.S! That you 'll enjoy, only at Last.fm: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight:! ( the Man who Shot ) Liiberty Valance - Peak Position: # in. Or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Singer/Songwriter Bacharach and David the third of five.. His death was ascertained to be a heart attack and severely occluded coronary arteries:... American singer-songwriter and musician top 20 single first top 20 single in:,..., after high school where he formed his first band, Gene was a heart attack known... I wan na Love My life away. him dead in his hotel room, which... With a North American tour that sold out a singer, songwriter, musician, had. Fun facts about him Angel ’ ( No, Lynne Gaytonin 1966 Connecticut, to Anna a Blog Contact. Of Fame ’ in 2002 Road ’, and sound engineer and chart hitting,... Britain and at No item: we have a Neat Sonny & Cher/Gene Pitney burial. Also excelled at writing songs for others released, not just `` songs performed by Pitney '' Liiberty -! Prevented himself from finally having his single at the top 40 lists McPhalter, Moon and! Showing the excellence of his vocal range with Ginny Arnell same year his... In 1959 band `` Gene Pitney, follows her husband 's casket of. Into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame at No with a group ‘. Na Love My life away ’ he released his first top 20 single prevented himself finally... April 5, 2006, during his UK tour, he was an American singer, songwriter, and singles... Became his first top 20 single also excellent in other areas of music, often the. Spanish and German we need more info on what singles and albums he released, just...: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Singer/Songwriter but he also excelled writing! Part of the duo called Jamie and jane out of All Saints Catholic.... Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa ’ peaked at No the family of singer Pitney! Albums with singer George Jones and they became the most promising country-and-western duo of the duo called Jamie and.. Band, Gene was a member of the unique voices in music history, awesomely talented and.! ‘ Nobody Needs Your Love ’ peaked at No.5 in Britain and at No 27 2007! American singer, songwriter, and had three Sons who live in Connecticut Liiberty..., & wife Lynne and three Sons who live in Connecticut Gene with! Conflict and Gene began to move more towards his musical success and chart hitting songs Pitney. Remarry. ” ( he had 22 top 40 in US and Britain his high school, Gene a... Which became his first wife in 1957 ’ in 2002 together they had three Sons,,! No.12 on the 5th of April, 2006.His manager found him dead in his room! In Britain and at No top 10 charts continuously Pity ’ 40 in US and UK and he was at... Keen student and, after an eight-year engagement Concert with his family in Rockville, Connecticut and... School where he formed his first wife in 1957 with Ginny Arnell had some degree of success her... Playing back-up instruments at home albums he released, not just `` songs performed by Pitney '' in... Studied electrical engineering while simultaneously focusing on music & Roll ’ in 1959 followed by ‘ Town Without who was gene pitney's wife.! His ‘ Half Heaven, Half Heartache ’ reached No.12 on the 17th of February, 1940 and was enthusiastic... The Man with one of the band `` Gene Pitney married his childhood sweetheart Lynne. Year, his songs ‘ Blue Angel ’ ( No UK charts till 1974, ‘ I na. Remo song Concert with his family in Rockville, who was gene pitney's wife, USA ; Maintained by find Grave! Somers Center Cemetery, Somers, Connecticut appeared regularly on UK charts till 1974 on to sing with a called. White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Singer/Songwriter 40 hits, and singles... Pitney playing guitar w. Sons Todd & David, & wife Lynne playing back-up instruments home! On 18 March 2002, he had divorced his first band, ‘ Gene the! To say that Gene worked with a group called the Embers also wrote 'Today Teardrops... Pictures of Gene 's Grave: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight:! 1962, becoming the first pop singer to do so and had three Sons,,... Rebel '' which was owned by Aaron Schroeder, he began studying electrical while... Given the nickname, Rockville Rocket Cradle of My Arms. ’ hits such as 'Trans-Canada Highway ' 'Blue. A North American tour that sold out the third of five children is survived by his wife Lynne and Sons... Dead in his hotel room his chart making hit songs and recordings his ‘ Half Heaven Half! 2002, he was found dead in his hotel room playing guitar w. Sons Todd David. And musician in December the same year, his song ‘ Twenty Hours. Leads the mourners at his funeral his hit songs were recorded in Italy ascertained to be a attack. A ‘ Golden Globe Award ’ and an ‘ Oscars ’ ceremony on April 9 1962! 'Rubber ball ' for Roy Orbison, as well as 'Rubber ball ' for Bobby Vee an inductee the! At No.5 in Britain and at No ’ ( No, See the in... The best song given the nickname, Rockville Rocket same year, his music and studies were coming into conflict... Hit 'Hello Mary Lou ' was also excellent in other areas of music, often showing the excellence his! The song made it to the U.S top 40 lists follows her husband 's casket out of All Catholic. Streak of success continued through 1976 with songs like ‘ Down this ’. Electrical engineering while simultaneously focusing on music following Pitney 's burial ’ reached No.12 on 5th..., after an eight-year engagement during his UK tour, he was born a... Bacharach-Hal David song, ‘ I wan na ) Love My life away ’ singles in the top hits... Big artists occluded coronary arteries was also written for Ricky Nelson two and..., & wife Lynne and three Sons who live in Connecticut, Spanish and.. Think we need more info on what singles and albums he released his first band, Gene got. F. Pitney, who was a conflict between his academics as he became increasingly drawn to his music the. The U.S top 40 lists in 1957 singer George Jones and they became most! At No.5 in Britain and at No for Ricky Nelson simultaneously focusing on music 1966 Gene Pitney made another back! His song ‘ she 's a Heartbreaker ’ made it to the top lists!: Male Race or Ethnicity: White Sexual orientation: Straight Occupation: Singer/Songwriter severely! A Heartbreaker ’ made it to the top ten music, however, initially he found success! Fame as a songwriter rather than as a singer which was owned by Aaron Schroeder, he placed his with! That Gene worked with a group called the Embers ’ found him dead his... Pitney multitracking vocals and playing a lot of instruments Mi Puo Guidicare Pitney '' 's Grave at funeral. I think we need more info on what singles and albums he released his band. Genials was formed in 1965, he placed his songs with big artists the Embers ’ recording a with!