Gene Raskin was a very accomplished person - first, an architect, then a professor at Columbia University, then, a "variety act" duo with his wife: "Gene & Francesca", and, most notably, but definitely not most fascinating; Gene adapted a melody sung to him as a child by his Russian mother: this became the folk-pop song, "Those Were the Days", ...
He was performing his languorous ballad, "Those Were the Days" in a nightclub when this adaptation of a Russian melody was overheard by Paul McCartney who brought it to England and produced the hit recording by Mary Hopkin. Gene was slightly chagrined to receive the telephone call from Paul asking his permission to have Mary record this; as, he had always imagined it being sung by a dashing young handsome romantic man...ME! Needless to say, he got over it!!!
2
Was an eclectic author, playwright, educator, musician and songwriter
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Dalida
2016
writer: "Le temps des fleurs"
Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens
2016
TV Movie "Sharknado Gigantor Theme"
Timeshift
2012
TV Series documentary lyrics - 1 episode
Yhteinen sävel
2009
TV Series documentary lyrics - 1 episode
Whiteout
2009
arranger: "Proshchay Farewell"
The Bank Job
2008
writer: "Those Were the Days" - as Gene Raskin
Naomi's New Morning
2006
TV Series writer - 1 episode
At the Hotel
2006
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Cesko hledá SuperStar
2004
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Mariano Mison... NBI
1997
writer: "Those Were The Days, My Friend"
Total Balalaika Show
1994
Documentary lyrics: "Those Were the Days"
Stars in Their Eyes
1993
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Cheers
1991
TV Series lyrics - 1 episode
Leedvermaak
1989
writer: "Those Were The Days" - as E. Raskin
Webster
1983
TV Series 1 episode
Rings of Passion
1973
writer: "Those Were the Days" - uncredited
Jeanie's Magic Box
1972
writer: "Those Were the Days" - as Gene Raskin, uncredited
$100,000
