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Gene Pitney dead at 65

K

Kahuna

Guest
LONDON - Gene Pitney, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame whose hits included "Town Without Pity" and "Only Love Can Break a Heart," died Wednesday at a hotel in Wales after playing a show, his agent said. He was 65. Pitney was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. Police said the death did not appear suspicious. 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.

"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."

He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the show."
 
> LONDON - Gene Pitney, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall
> of Fame whose hits included "Town Without Pity" and "Only
> Love Can Break a Heart," died Wednesday at a hotel in Wales
> after playing a show, his agent said. He was 65. Pitney was
> found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. Police said
> the death did not appear suspicious. 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.
>
> "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."
>
> He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and
> most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was
> absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the
> show."
>

Very sad news. :(

I was just listening to WJMK HD-2 and they're doing a tribute.<P ID="signature">______________

</P>
 
Gene was truly one of the nicest artists I've ever had the
pleasure of knowing in my 40+ years in radio. Not only was he
a great performer, but he was a gentleman and an all around
nice guy, kind of like your best buddy. He always had time for
you whether you were with a big influential station or a small
rural operation. I, for one, will miss him greatly. Fortunately,
we have his music which will live on through the years.
My deepest sympathies go out to his wife and children in his
home state of Connecticut.
Chris "The Mighty" Quinn WIXY/WGAR/WMJI


> LONDON - Gene Pitney, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall
> of Fame whose hits included "Town Without Pity" and "Only
> Love Can Break a Heart," died Wednesday at a hotel in Wales
> after playing a show, his agent said. He was 65. Pitney was
> found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. Police said
> the death did not appear suspicious. 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.
>
> "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."
>
> He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and
> most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was
> absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the
> show."
>
 
> LONDON - Gene Pitney, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall
> of Fame whose hits included "Town Without Pity" and "Only
> Love Can Break a Heart," died Wednesday at a hotel in Wales
> after playing a show, his agent said. He was 65. Pitney was
> found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. Police said
> the death did not appear suspicious. 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.
>
> "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."
>
> He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and
> most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was
> absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the
> show."
>



That is very sad news, it is actually bringing tears to my eyes.

In 1985 I worked at a gold based Soft AC. One of the songs we played was "Only Love Can Break A Heart". I was a teenager at the time and had no idea who Gene Pitney was, but I LOVED that song, it blew me away how good it was. I then bought a greatest hits album and loved each and every Gene Pitney song.

In 1987 I saw Gene Pitney in concert at the oldies stage at Summerfest in Milwaukee. I really enjoyed that concert, I was in awe of Gene Pitney. I was his youngest fan at the time, I remember a lady next to me telling me how surprised she was that someone my age was such a big Gene Pitney fan, I was proud to tell her that Gene Pitney was one of my favorite artists of all time.
 
I am, also, a fan of Gene Pitney. One of my favoirte songs of all time is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. I have heard different stories about why it was not in the movie (over the credits) among them John Ford didn't want any rock n roll in his movies. Does anyone know the real story?
 
> I am, also, a fan of Gene Pitney. One of my favoirte songs
> of all time is The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. I have
> heard different stories about why it was not in the movie
> (over the credits) among them John Ford didn't want any rock
> n roll in his movies. Does anyone know the real story?
>


That was the real story. Both his movie themes were rejected plus Johnny Horton's "Sink The Bismark" back in the early 60's. The directors didn't like young artist or rock n'roll taking over the movie business.<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by apco25 on 04/06/06 06:44 AM.</FONT></P>
 
> > Iam so grateful that I got to see Gene in concert last September in Las Vegas, the show was very good. I have been a big Pitney fan for years and years. God Bless and RIP Gene, a true rock legend!!
 
Re: what a great artist he was. Too bad he's ignored on radio.

What a great artist he was. He was the first to record a Rolling Stones song before they became famous! He wrote other BIG top-40 hits.

Being born in '62, I had no idea who he was nor heard any of his songs until the late 80s when oldies stations - the ones that played REAL oldies- started appearing in more markets and syndicated oldies programs came on Saturday nights.

I first heard Pitney when Dick Bartley, when he had a great show, spotlighted Gene's hits. THen I bought a cassette of them, which included great overlooked songs such as BACKSTAGE and PRINCESS IN RAGS.

This artist is a good example of why oldies stations that only program to "demos" really miss the boat. I take music at face value. I don't give a rats *** if it wasn't in my era. Who cares. It's the music and the memories. With me, it was the music since I had no memories. Too bad the dopes running radio today know nothing of this and want to flood "oldies" stations with 70s junk.


> LONDON - Gene Pitney, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall
> of Fame whose hits included "Town Without Pity" and "Only
> Love Can Break a Heart," died Wednesday at a hotel in Wales
> after playing a show, his agent said. He was 65. Pitney was
> found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. Police said
> the death did not appear suspicious. 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.
>
> "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."
>
> He added: "Last night was generally one of the happiest and
> most exuberant performances we've seen out of him. He was
> absolutely on top of his game and was really happy with the
> show."
>
 
Re: Get over it... please.

> This artist is a good example of why oldies stations that
> only program to "demos" really miss the boat.

Stations program by the demo appeal to advertisers. Programming to demographics that advertisers do not ask for is like selling bags of ice in Nome... there is no need and no market.

> I take music
> at face value. I don't give a rats *** if it wasn't in my
> era. Who cares. It's the music and the memories. With me, it
> was the music since I had no memories.

In this, you are one of a small, small minority. Not enough to sustain a station playing this kind of music when the bulk of listeners would be in a non-sales demographic.

> Too bad the dopes

Thank you. On behalf of the ohter 115,000 or so dopes in radio, we appreciate your vote of confidence. Now, why don't you run along and buy some CDs or download some songs and leave us dopes alone? You don't like us, and you certainly can not expect us to like you...

> running radio today know nothing of this and want to flood
> "oldies" stations with 70s junk.

Very few people get attached to music from an era other than their own life... whether this be early 60's oldies or classical music or big bands. Again: Radio looks for ages that appeal to advertisers. Period. Get over it.
 
Re: Get over it... please.

> > This artist is a good example of why oldies stations that
> > only program to "demos" really miss the boat.
>
> Stations program by the demo appeal to advertisers.
> Programming to demographics that advertisers do not ask for
> is like selling bags of ice in Nome... there is no need and
> no market.
>
> > I take music
> > at face value. I don't give a rats *** if it wasn't in my
> > era. Who cares. It's the music and the memories. With me,
> it
> > was the music since I had no memories.
>
> In this, you are one of a small, small minority. Not enough
> to sustain a station playing this kind of music when the
> bulk of listeners would be in a non-sales demographic.
>
> > Too bad the dopes
>


NOW THAT WE HEARD FROM THE PEANUT GALLERY!
In all seriousness we have lost several others this year. Wilson Pickett and Lou Rawls were both first generation soulful soft rockers as well as Gene Pitney who have joined DJs Gene "By Golly" Barry and John Hall and have went up to that 50kw clear channel AM rocker in the sky.

> Thank you. On behalf of the ohter 115,000 or so dopes in
> radio, we appreciate your vote of confidence. Now, why don't
> you run along and buy some CDs or download some songs and
> leave us dopes alone? You don't like us, and you certainly
> can not expect us to like you...
>
> > running radio today know nothing of this and want to flood
>
> > "oldies" stations with 70s junk.
>
> Very few people get attached to music from an era other than
> their own life... whether this be early 60's oldies or
> classical music or big bands. Again: Radio looks for ages
> that appeal to advertisers. Period. Get over it.

Okay...granted the baby boomers are aging but we have NOT reached the Geritol and Depends stage of our latter years yet! Fewer stations exist that play our parents' 1940s/early 50s era music as well. Al Ham's Music of Your Life is also outta here,but please don't liken or stereotype our generation to theirs since WCTM,Eaton and WMLF,Indianapolis have moved on to new owners and formats.

Considering kids and grandkids who are cuious about how rock started in the 50s and 60s..there are some of those young people out there who want more than just Goo Goo Dolls and Green Day and want a rock education from not just the actor who also played Carl Denham in the Kong remake. Ask Joe Madigan at WJCU in Cleveland!
>
 
Re: Get over it... please.

>> >
> > Very few people get attached to music from an era other
> than
> > their own life... whether this be early 60's oldies or
> > classical music or big bands. Again: Radio looks for ages
> > that appeal to advertisers. Period. Get over it.

> Considering kids and grandkids who are cuious about how rock
> started in the 50s and 60s..there are some of those young
> people out there who want more than just Goo Goo Dolls and
> Green Day and want a rock education from not just the actor
> who also played Carl Denham in the Kong remake. Ask Joe
> Madigan at WJCU in Cleveland!

Even the best of the oldies stations show essentially no listeing in under-45 demos. Yes, there are a few people, but when one looks into it, they find that more out of core (under 45's) were listening because someone else controlled the radio than because they liked 60's oldies.

The fact is that there is a very narrow slice of the sales demos that can be attracted with oldies. There is real strength in 45-54, but it is waning as every year 10% more go into 55+. In 25-44, the listening is so light that an oldies station can not compete for buys with the tiny numbers.

Curiosity does not generated TSL... passion for a music style does.

(I presume the John Carroll station has some kind of oldies show? I always thought that little station was mostly rock with ethnic on Sunday.)
 
Re: Get over it... please.

First, Pitney's music is far from lame. Just another example of a dismissive attitude in radio these days.

I suppose you experts could defend wall to wall conservative talk radio here as well, using "research" and "test groups." Doesn't matter. The sound is lousy. I'm tired of most markets having one local host and everything else syndicated crap.

Satellite is running circles around FM oldies. Thank goodness. I will take my business there, thanks to such arrogant attitudes expressed by radio towards its customers. Oh, I forget. Listeners don't count.



> > This artist is a good example of why oldies stations that
> > only program to "demos" really miss the boat.
>
> Stations program by the demo appeal to advertisers.
> Programming to demographics that advertisers do not ask for
> is like selling bags of ice in Nome... there is no need and
> no market.
>
> > I take music
> > at face value. I don't give a rats *** if it wasn't in my
> > era. Who cares. It's the music and the memories. With me,
> it
> > was the music since I had no memories.
>
> In this, you are one of a small, small minority. Not enough
> to sustain a station playing this kind of music when the
> bulk of listeners would be in a non-sales demographic.
>
> > Too bad the dopes
>
> Thank you. On behalf of the ohter 115,000 or so dopes in
> radio, we appreciate your vote of confidence. Now, why don't
> you run along and buy some CDs or download some songs and
> leave us dopes alone? You don't like us, and you certainly
> can not expect us to like you...
>
> > running radio today know nothing of this and want to flood
>
> > "oldies" stations with 70s junk.
>
> Very few people get attached to music from an era other than
> their own life... whether this be early 60's oldies or
> classical music or big bands. Again: Radio looks for ages
> that appeal to advertisers. Period. Get over it.
>
 
Re: Get over it... please.

> First, Pitney's music is far from lame. Just another example
> of a dismissive attitude in radio these days.

It was, in my opinion, lame when it came out and soulds, mostly, fairly dated and bland today.

If I wanted to program it, I would dismiss my own opinion and ask the lsiteners. In any case, the music is too old to attract salable demos.
>
> I suppose you experts could defend wall to wall conservative
> talk radio here as well, using "research" and "test groups."
> Doesn't matter. The sound is lousy. I'm tired of most
> markets having one local host and everything else syndicated
> crap.

It's about cost in all but the biggest markets. Talk hosts are expensive. Good ones can not be kept on all but the biggest stations in the US, or in syndication.

The biggest defense of cunservative talk is the fact taht it gets huge numbers if put on a decent signal with decent hosts.
>
> Satellite is running circles around FM oldies.

As well I would excpect, since terrestrial raido, for the most part, can not afford to keep the format alive.

> Thank
> goodness. I will take my business there, thanks to such
> arrogant attitudes expressed by radio towards its customers.
> Oh, I forget. Listeners don't count.

Listeners over 55 are not wanted. That is because advertisers don't often want to reach them. So, if there is an alternative, go for it and leave the rest of us alone.
 
Re: Get over it... please.

Gene Pitney was a source of some local CT pride here. It's too bad people have to evoke the name of a recently departed singer and songwriter as the focus of an argument over radio programming.

Many of his songs didn't test that well even here in CT not too long ago, but there have been plenty of accomplished musicians ranging from Mel Torme to the Grateful Dead that didn't make the cut on most commercial radio stations. To characterize someone who wrote several major songs for others, had his own million seller and at least a couple of other moderately successful hits as "lame" seems a bit cold a week after he passed away. His death also shouldn't prompt a debate over playing his songs WE think SOUND GOOD and an attack on research. Gene may not merit heavier airplay on terrestrial radio today, but his legacy deserves some respect.

On the subject of conservative talk, it may not be your cup of tea but there are people out there who hang on Rush's every word. If they can find more competitive signals, maybe the liberals can get more ears, too. Both sides have the right to be heard, and if they can make money without always calling the other side a bunch of liars, all the better.
 
Re: Help Me From Writing Bad Checks!!

> Listeners over 55 are not wanted. That is because
> advertisers don't often want to reach them. So, if there is
> an alternative, go for it and leave the rest of us alone.
>

David, David, David, we all know You are The Defender of the Establishment in Corporate Radio and your opinions are respected by most of us. AND I agree with most of your opinions .... They are NOT a secret to any of the regulars here!!!
BUT it seems to me you just can't help yourself ... You ALWAYS have to jump in and counter the SAME OPINION voiced by many different people. Regurgitation of the same ol' same ol' is redundant. You should just copy and paste your responses. Makes ME wonder HOW you have the TIME to visit every board in the Radio-Info Universe .... Aren't you employed by someone OTHER than Radio-Info.com?? I think so, I wonder how you get your work done haha.

Stepping in here (because it seems you can't help yourself) into a thread about Gene Pitney's death seems Mr Spock-like. As CT Radio Guy said "To characterize someone who wrote several major songs for others, had his own million seller and at least a couple of other moderately successful hits as "lame" seems a bit cold a week after he passed away." Have you no shame, David?? It's obvious a few (just a few) of us actually appreciated the body of work put forth by Mr. Pitney and we wonder why you seem to want to indirectly disparage it. Why can't you in your own words above

leave the rest of us alone
leave the rest of us alone
 
Re: Help Me From Writing Bad Checks!!

> > Listeners over 55 are not wanted. That is because
> > advertisers don't often want to reach them. So, if there
> is
> > an alternative, go for it and leave the rest of us alone.
> >
>
> David, David, David, we all know You are The Defender of the
> Establishment in Corporate Radio and your opinions are
> respected by most of us. AND I agree with most of your
> opinions .... They are NOT a secret to any of the regulars
> here!!!

But they are new to some of the new posters, or those who just do not understand what drives commercial radio.

> BUT it seems to me you just can't help yourself ... You
> ALWAYS have to jump in and counter the SAME OPINION voiced
> by many different people.

And this proves the point. Every week or so there is a new person who does not udnerstand that advertisers... not agencies... not radio... determine the targets of ratings based ad campaigns. And that ratings are paid for by radio to give advertisers a metric. And that programmers try to get desirable demos so the station can make money.

> Regurgitation of the same ol'
> same ol' is redundant. You should just copy and paste your
> responses. Makes ME wonder HOW you have the TIME to visit
> every board in the Radio-Info Universe ....

I only visit the markets I work in. There is always lots of interesting stuff that makes it worth my while.

> Aren't you
> employed by someone OTHER than Radio-Info.com?? I think so,
> I wonder how you get your work done haha.

I spend lots of time in airports, hotels and stuff. Some guys go to "gentlemen's clubs" when they travel. I goof off on the web.

> Stepping in here (because it seems you can't help yourself)
> into a thread about Gene Pitney's death seems Mr Spock-like.

The fact is that I never much liked the music, and to make a hero out of an artist that was not "hero-sized" seems absurd, especially when even most oldies listeners don't want to hear the bigger Pitney songs. The original posts referred to som unknown songs, which is worse.

> As CT Radio Guy said "To characterize someone who wrote
> several major songs for others, had his own million seller
> and at least a couple of other moderately successful hits as
> "lame" seems a bit cold a week after he passed away." Have
> you no shame, David??

Honestly, dead or alive, Pitney was a minor luminary and a really GOOD example of why radio can not satisfy the obcessive core oldies addict... the one who thinks they know how to programm better than the PD.

> It's obvious a few (just a few) of us
> actually appreciated the body of work put forth by Mr.
> Pitney and we wonder why you seem to want to indirectly
> disparage it. Why can't you in your own words above
>
> leave the rest of us alone
> leave the rest of us alone

Why? Because this is a message board, and we can all post. Unfortunately, you do not seem to like to hear the truth, about radio, about oldies radio or about Pitney.
>
 
Who said Pitney is a Hero??

> The fact is that I never much liked the music, and to make a
> hero out of an artist that was not "hero-sized" seems
> absurd, especially when even most oldies listeners don't
> want to hear the bigger Pitney songs. The original posts
> referred to some unknown songs, which is worse.

NO ONE IS MAKING GENE PITNEY OUT TO BE A HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Man talk about a stretch, David!!

>
> Honestly, dead or alive, Pitney was a minor luminary and a
> really GOOD example of why radio can not satisfy the
> obcessive core oldies addict... the one who thinks they know
> how to program better than the PD.
>

Listen you OBVIOUSLY have a hard time accepting that some people like some artists while you do not. Can't you just give us THAT??? After all, you don't pee champagne do you?
Haha I ___KNOW___ most if not ALL Pitney songs do not test well at all, have no viable place on today's "Classic Hits" (oldies) radio etc etc.
YOU SHOULD realize that I know, because you are a smart guy and you've had many "discussions" with me before, NO????
So I'm passionate about an artist I like, so arrest me :>)

> Unfortunately, you do not seem to like to hear the truth,
> about radio, about oldies radio or about Pitney.

David, David, David, David again I AGREE WITH YOU about oldies radio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Guess what...It doesn't matter anymore to me because I get my oldies fix elsewhere, not from terrestrial radio. That DOESN'T mean that I dislike terrestrial radio or that I think it's going to become extinct, or that I think it's in BIG trouble because of satellite radio, David. I am in the business and my livelihood DEPENDS on terrestrial radio so I sure don't want that and I don't think it will become extinct.
Jeeeeeeeeeez I just don't like it when you dis my man Pitney that's all.

We've been down this road before and its a dead end.
 
Re: Who said Pitney is a Hero??

> > The fact is that I never much liked the music, and to make
> a
> > hero out of an artist that was not "hero-sized" seems
> > absurd, especially when even most oldies listeners don't
> > want to hear the bigger Pitney songs. The original posts
> > referred to some unknown songs, which is worse.
>
> NO ONE IS MAKING GENE PITNEY OUT TO BE A
> HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
> Man talk about a stretch, David!!

You are over-reacting. I said "hero sized" which would put Pitney in the category of the Superemes, Stones, Beatles, Beach Boys, etc. This is much ado about nothing.

Neither you nor I knew Pitney, I am qute sure. He may well have been a lovely person, and the death of any human being is a sad moment for those who knew them or appreciated their legacy.

But, in the same breath, I have to say that the original posts in which it was summised that the reason why oldies radio.. and, indeed, all radio, sucked had to do with not playing his songs is way beyond sympathy and borders on absurdity.
>
> Listen you OBVIOUSLY have a hard time accepting that some
> people like some artists while you do not.

First, the contention was that not playing Pitney any more has something to do with the state of radio today. That is reaching.

And whether I liked an artist or not, or like them now or not, is irrelevant. The fact is that listeners in the audience radio seeks do not seem to want to hear that artist any more.

> Can't you just
> give us THAT??? After all, you don't pee champagne do you?
> Haha I ___KNOW___ most if not ALL Pitney songs do not test
> well at all, have no viable place on today's "Classic Hits"
> (oldies) radio etc etc.

Which is the point. As I said, blaming radio's real or perceived problems on not playing "Town Without Pity" is hyperbole at its worst.

It's, in the end, not about Pitney. It is about how he was, unfortunately, linked to radio related topics of a more general nature.

Personally, I think radio is declining because nobody plays the MOnotone's "Book Of Love" from the original "fat" vinyl Argo pressing.
 
Re: Who said Pitney is a Hero??

David, you said:

"The fact is that I never much liked the music, and to make a hero out of an artist that was not "hero-sized" seems absurd,"

then you said ....
"I said "hero sized" which would put Pitney in the category of the Superemes, Stones, Beatles, Beach Boys, etc"

Your phrase "and to make a hero out of an artist..." means to me that you are saying that others were making Pitney out to be a hero ... THAT is why I countered with my opinion that no one is calling him a "hero" or "hero sized", but you have your perception and I have mine so we'll let it be....

I agree that some here got off on a tangent about Gene Pitney not being played on oldies radio anymore. As stated I don't care anymore because I have already accepted the demise of what used to be oldies radio. BTW someone posted a link to that New Orleans station WTKL KOOL 105.3 now I guess on the Internet only. I listened for a few hours to them today and I liked their late 60s - 70s playlist a whole lot better than KOLA's (which I posted in the LA site.. I think you may have seen the 2 hour KOLA list I posted).

>
> Personally, I think radio is declining because nobody plays
> the Monotone's "Book Of Love" from the original "fat" vinyl
> Argo pressing.
>
Yep you are correct!! I think I had a copy of that 45 but lost it in my many moves over the years. heh heh<P ID="edit"><FONT class="small">Edited by SuperRadioFan on 04/18/06 12:54 AM.</FONT></P>
 
Re: Help Me From Writing Bad Checks!!

> But they are new to some of the new posters, or those who
> just do not understand what drives commercial radio.

Should read killing commercial radio, since the business model is a highway to failure with an aging tech that is quickly becoming detached from listeners and outmoded vs newer tech and future tech that will increase competition for ears and less slices of the pie for a medium that has to shoulder, in some instances, spot loads of 20 minutes per hour to survive.

How will radio survive when the next generation of desired demos has turned to other methods of entertainment?

In closing, I don't see why a simple discussion of an artist who has passed, who had a few (IMHO) good songs, deserves yet another David Eduardo detour in his quest to re-educate the world. David would be the one screaming about liver disease from alcohol consumption in the middle of a New Year's Eve party.
 
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