BACKSTAGE: Tribute To Gene Pitney
Composer/Arranger Gary Rue teams up with fourteen top musicians and vocalists from the Twin Cities in a poignant, personal salute to the 1960s singer/songwriter who created such memorable classics as "Hello Mary Lou," "Only Love Can Break a Heart," "The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance" and "Town Without Pity." Rue was music director in North America for Pitney for nearly 20 years and shares not only the music and arrangements from the last show they performed together (Valentine's Day, 2006), but a litany of great insider stories from the road. And about his childhood idol and boss: "His music appealed to me on so many levels," Rue says. "As a songwriter I appreciated how well the music was put together by great tunesmiths such as Bacharach/David, Goffin/King, and Mann and Weill. And man, could he pick 'em. I loved his voice. What an extraordinary gift!"
Click on "Listen To mp3" below to hear Gary's Morning Show interview on MPR with his pals Dale Connelly and Jim Ed Poole, beginning with Gene's 1961 release, "Donna Means Heartbreak".