Pitney was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and grew up in Rockville, now part of Vernon, Connecticut. His early influences were Clyde McPhatter, country-blues singer Moon Mullican and doo-wop groups like the Crows. He attended Rockville High School, at which he was named the Rockville Rocket, and where he formed his first band, Gene & the Genials. He made records as part of a duo called Jamie and Jane with Ginny Arnell (who in late 1963 had a solo hit, Dumb Head), and in 1959 recorded a single as Billy Bryan. The first of the two Decca 45s as Jamie and Jane was Snuggle Up, Baby, a cover of a song Charlie Gracie recorded at Cameo 1957 or early 1958, which remained unreleased until London Records released Gracies original version in Europe in 1978. His popularity in the UK market was ensured by the breakthrough success of Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa, a Bacharach and David song, which peaked at #5 in Britain at the start of 1964. It was only Pitneys third single release in the UK to reach the singles chart and the first to break into the Top Twenty there; it was also a hit in the U.S, peaking at #17 on the Hot 100. Born February 17, 1940 Hartford, Connecticut, United States Origin Rockville, Connecticut, United States Died April 5, 2006 (aged 66) Cardiff, Wales, UK
Posted on: Sat, 25 Oct 2014 06:13:06 +0000
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