Gene Francis Alan Pitney (February 17, 1940 – April 5, 2006) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and sound engineer. Through the mid-1960s, he enjoyed success as a recording artist on both sides of the Atlantic and was among the group of early 1960s American acts who continued to enjoy hits after the British Invasion.Pitney charted 16 Top-40 hits in the U.S., four in the Top 10. In the UK he had 22 Top-40 hits, and 11 singles in the Top Ten. He also wrote the early 1960s hits "Rubber Ball" recorded by Bobby Vee, "He's a Rebel" by The Crystals, and "Hello Mary Lou" by Ricky Nelson. In 2002, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1962 he sent a demo record to Musicor Records, called "I Wanna Love My Life Away". On it Pitney not only sang but played all the instruments, in addition to recording the backup vocals (he didn't have the money to hire singers or musicians). Musicor liked he song and didn't think it needed any "tweaking", releasing it exactly the way Pitney sent it to them. It reached #39 on the charts.
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Due to a publishing conflict, he was unable to receive a writing credit for Bobby Vee's "Rubber Ball". The credit goes to Ann Orlowski, his mother, although it's commonly known that he wrote the song.
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Children: sons David, Todd, and Chris.
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Father of David, Todd, and Chris Pitney.
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Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2002.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Mentalist
2013
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Vegas
2013
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Phil Spector
2013
TV Movie writer: "He's a Rebel"
Twenty Feet from Stardom
2013
Documentary writer: "He's A Rebel"
Love Me Do: The Beatles '62
2012
TV Movie documentary performer: "Town Without Pity" / writer: "He's A Rebel"
Misfits
2009
TV Series 1 episode
Larry L
2009
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Cold Case
TV Series writer - 1 episode, 2007 performer - 1 episode, 2003
Bean: Scenes Unseen
2007
Video documentary short writer: "He's a Rebel"
The Simpsons
2006
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Sopranos
2004
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Crossing Jordan
2003
TV Series performer - 1 episode
61*
2001
TV Movie writer: "Hello, Mary Lou Goodbye Heart"
A Walk on the Moon
1999
performer: "Town Without Pity" 1961
Loser!
1998
Short writer: "Hello Marylou"
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
1998
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Bean
1997
writer: "He's A Rebel"
SubUrbia
1996
performer: "Town Without Pity"
Blue Sky
1994
writer: "Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart"
Matinee
1993
performer: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" / writer: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"
Memorabilia: The Video Singles
1991
Video performer: "Something's Gotten Hold of My Heart"
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990
TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Super Mario Bros. Super Show!
1989
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Look Who's Talking
1989
performer: "Town Without Pity"
Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat
1989
performer: "Town Without Pity"
Hairspray
1988
performer: "Town Without Pity"
The Year My Voice Broke
1987
performer: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"
Tin Men
1987
performer: "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance"
Queen Live at Wembley '86
1986
TV Movie documentary writer: "Hello Mary Lou Goodbye Heart"
The American Way
1986
performer: "Yesterdays Hero"
Screen Two
1986
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Saturday Night Live
1979
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Big Wednesday
1978
writer: "He's a Rebel" - uncredited
The Man Who Fell to Earth
1976
writer: "Hello Mary-Lou"
Countdown
1974
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
The Ernie Sigley Show
1974
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Top of the Pops
1966
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Shindig!
1964-1965
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Scorpio Rising
1964
Short writer: "He's a Rebel" - uncredited
The 34th Annual Academy Awards
1962
TV Special performer: "Town Without Pity"
The Adventures of Ozzie & Harriet
1961
TV Series writer - 2 episodes
Town Without Pity
1961
performer: "Town Without Pity"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sez Les
1972
TV Series
Variety Club
1968
TV Movie
Special Guest
Juke Box Jury
1964
TV Series
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Sings the Rolling Stones
2012
TV Movie
Himself
Walk on By: The Story of Popular Song
2001
TV Series documentary
Himself
Memorabilia: The Video Singles
1991
Video
Himself (video 'Something's Gotten Hold Of My Heart')