Gene Pitney

Gene Pitney was a singer/songwriter who penned or performed an impressive string of hits during the early 1960s. Few people remember him today, mostly because of the oldies stations policy against anything before 1964. Nevertheless, you might recognize some of his compositions: "He's A Rebel," performed by the Crystals (and produced by Phil Spector), "Hello Mary Lou" for Ricky Nelson, and "Only Love Can Break A Heart" and "It Hurts To Be In Love" (performed by himself). Pitney died on tour in Wales and the world is poorer for it.