Gene F. Pitney - Rockville in Vernon, CT
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 41° 52.044 W 072° 26.914
18T E 711749 N 4638201
A dedicated bench in memory Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer, songwriter, and Rockville native Gene F. Pitney is located in front of the Memorial Building at 14 Park Place in the Village of Rockville in Vernon, CT.
Waymark Code: WM16RG8
Location: Connecticut, United States
Date Posted: 09/25/2022
Views: 2
A metal slat bench in front of Memorial Building, which is the Town Hall of Vernon, CT, is inscribed:
IN MEMORY OF GENE F. PITNEY 1940 - 2006
BORN AND RAISED IN ROCKVILLE, CT.
HOMETOWN BOY WHO BECAME A ROCK AND ROLL
HALL OF FAME INTERNATIONAL RECORDING STAR
Eugene Francis Pitney was born in Hartford, CT on February 17, 1940 and grew up in Rockville, CT. He began his singing career while a student at Rockville High School. During his recording career he wrote and performed 16 top 40 hit in the United Sates as well as 22 top 40 hits in the UK. Between 1962 and 2003 he released 39 albums. He also wrote several songs made famous by other singers, most notably "Rubber Ball" 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.
Gene Pitney died shortly after performing a concert in Cardiff, Wales on April 5, 2006.
U.S. top 40 hits written and performed by Gene Pitney:
"(I Wanna) Love My Life Away"
"Town without Pity"
"(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance"
"Only Love Can Break a Heart"
"Half Heaven – Half Heartache"
"Mecca"
"True Love Never Runs Smooth"
"Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa"
"It Hurts to Be in Love"
"I'm Gonna Be Strong"
"I Must Be Seeing Things"
"Last Chance to Turn Around"
"Looking Through the Eyes of Love"
"Princess in Rags"
"Backstage"
"She's a Heartbreaker"