RIP Gene Pitney

Yes, I know my blog is about Ubuntu, but I'd like to interrupt the technology stuff for a minute to talk about Gene Pitney.

1. He was a kind man. He had a lot of time and respect for his fans and fellow musicians. Whenever Gene toured Australia, his support act was a local comedian/singer who was pretty much an unknown artist. This guy had written an album and once asked Gene if he could do a guest appearance on it. Of course, Gene accepted.

Such was his spirit. I also noted how, at the end of each concert, he would make this gesture with his fingers where he would point at every single person in the hall, to thank them for coming.

2. He was a true professional. In his really early recordings, Gene played almost every instrument. He was a good songwriter AND a good singer, but he didn't have the snobbish attitude that he could only sing his own songs. And when Burt Bacharat and Hal David wrote all those brilliant tracks, Gene put all his heart and soul into singing them in studio and live in concert.

Last night I listened to most of the Gene Pitney songs we have on CD, and in the near future I'll watch the video. My four favorite songs were his cover of "Angels", the reggae version of "Nobody Needs Your Love (More Than I Do)", "Oceans Away", and "Count the Days".

Gene Pitney will be sadly missed.