PHIL NEE: Remembering Gene Pitney

Gene Pitney was born February 17th of 1941.   

I had the chance to catch him on the phone in 1994 and I asked the future Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member about the start of his career and the songs he wrote for other artists.

"Hello Mary Lou" was always one of my favorites.  I'm sure it would have been a hit for Gene Pitney as well ... but Ricky Nelson took it over the top and made it his very own, going all the way to #1 here in Chicago as the A-Side ... nationally, it was "Travelin' Man," the flip side, that topped the charts.  Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Statler Brothers also made notable recordings of these songs.  Pitney also wrote the hits "He's A Rebel" for The Crystals and "Rubber Ball" for Bobby Vee.

Gene Pitney was very popular in the United States, but his success in Europe and other countries was even greater.

"Love My Life Away" was his first big hit as an artist.  It, too, enjoyed much greater success here in Chicago (#8) than it did nationally (#31).

"Blue Angel," released in 1974, was a very popular record in England ... yet never charted here in The States.  For several decades Gene's career seemed to be much bigger in Europe than it was here at home.  (In fact, when The British Invasion hit and established American artists were finding it difficult to get their songs played on the air, Gene was having the exact opposite effect overseas where his records were making The Top Ten on a regular basis.)

And that popularity continued for decades to come.  In 1989, Gene topped the British Charts with a remake of his 1967 hit "Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart," this time recorded as a duet with Marc Almond of Soft Cell.

The big hit The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance was not used in the film of the same name.  I asked Gene Pitney about the history of the song.

Gene Pitney still earned a #4 pop hit with "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" despite it not being used in the film.  ("Town Without Pity," his prior hit, WAS used in the film of the same name ... and was even nominated for an Academy Award.)

A Gene Pitney biography (by David McGrath) was released recently.  McGrath worked for Pitney for twenty years and was essentially his right-hand man ... but still writes the book more from a fan's perspective.  The title of each chapter is also the title of one of Gene's best known songs ... and insight into the history of the recording is given for each entry ... along with "factoids" about this material.  While annoying at times, it IS an interesting look into Gene Pitney's career.  17 Top 40 Hits tells the story of just how popular he really was back in the '60's.  A unique voice, to be sure, with some GREAT hits along the way.  (kk)

GENE PITNEY:  1963 - 1967

While Gene Pitney's career may have been waning a bit here in The States during this era when the artists of The British Invasion were dominating the charts, he didn't miss a beat with his British fans, where his records regularly made The Top Ten.

Here is a chart comparison of Gene's hits, 1963 - 1967 ...

1963 - Half Heaven, Half Heartache (US - #12 / UK - xx)

1963 - Mecca (US - #12 / UK - xx)

1963 - True Love Never Runs Smooth  (US - #21 / UK - xx)

1963 - Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa (US - #17 / UK - #5)

THE BEATLES HIT AMERICA

1964 - That Girl Belongs To Yesterday (US - #49 / UK - #7)

1964 - Yesterday's Hero (US - #64 / UK - xx)

1964 - It Hurts To Be In Love (US - #6 / UK - #36)

1964 - I'm Gonna Be Strong (US - #9 / UK - #2)

1965 - I Must Be Seeing Things (US - #26 / UK - #6)

1965 - I've Got Five Dollars And It's Saturday Night (recorded with George Jones and released as George and Gene) US - #97 / UK - xx

1965 - Last Chance To Turn Around (US - #12 / UK - xx)

1965 - Looking Through The Eyes Of Love (US - #23 / UK - #3)

1965 - Princess In Rags (US - #32 / UK - #9)

1966 - Backstage (US - #24 / UK - #4)

1966 - Nobody Needs Your Love (US - xx / UK - #2)

1967 - Just One Smile (US - #64 / UK - #8)

1967 - Cold Light Of Day (US - #83 / UK - #38)

1967 - Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart (US - #130 / UK - #5)

*****

Be sure to listen to Phil Nee's THOSE WERE THE DAYS radio program tonight on WRCO ...

WRCO AM FM Radio Richland Center Wisconsin

Just click on the 100.9 headphones and start streaming!

Send him an email request if you like …

Or just let him know how much you’re enjoying his new weekly feature in Forgotten Hits!

 

UPDATE:  I talked with Phil yesterday and he was still in the hospital at the time ... but very optimistic about being on the mend and coming home soon. 

Why not drop him a line and let him know you're thinking of him ... send along your Get Well Wishes and let him know how much you are enjoying these vintage interview segments.  You can email him at PhilNee@WRCO.com.