The girl with Gene is me...50 years ago! It was the summer of 1967...I was 17. The story is my dad was a cameraman for WGN television in Chicago before he passed away in 1961. A few months later, my mom worked for the TV station on Bradley place as a secretary in the Production Dept. She was able to get my sister and me tickets to Gene Pitney’s show. While we were standing in line waiting to be seated, we passed by Gene's dressing room. The door was open, he looked out and saw me, I smiled, and the line moved on. My sister and I were seated in the chairs facing the stage. The producer, Pete Price, came up to me and said that Gene would like me to go on stage with him later in the show, and would I like to do that? Of course, my answer was, "Yes." He took my hand and led me to a table in front...to your right as you’re looking at the stage. Before the show, he came and introduced himself and told me that all I had to do was come on stage and hold a sign for him. Needless to say, and by the looks of me, I was quite nervous. One time during his song, I looked at my sister (she's the one with her back to you in some scenes…white top with buttons going down, short/light brownish/page-boy hair), and she motioned for me to smile - you can tell where that happened. You can see him come over to my table at the end of Part 4 and ask me for a drink from my water glass. Even though he put the glass down on the table next to mine, Pete said I could keep it. I’ve had it for years and years, and no one could touch or use it : ) That was it…I was a star-struck teenage girl. A few years later, I tried to get a VHS copy of the tape of the show but was told several of their archived shows were destroyed in a fire and couldn't be reproduced. You can imagine my disappointment. In the 90's, I did a Google search. There was a website from a guy on the east coast who published a list of shows, musicals, etc., of all kinds that he had in his studio. There was one, “An Evening With Gene Pitney,” from WGN. I sent him an email and asked him if his copy had a girl on stage wearing a skirt and top that looked like a sailor outfit…He responded, “Yep!” I asked him if I could purchase a copy, he said I could, and he only charged me $10 for a DVD, no taxes or s/h…that’s it. Cool, huh? I couldn’t believe that’s all I had to pay for something that was so important to me. I was very thankful to him and so excited to get it, and it’s safe and sound in my “keepsake” box. About a year ago, I did another search through TH-cam. I found the whole show…wow! I was going to write this story then, but it never happened. It seems more appropriate that I’m doing it now, though, because it has been 50 years since I stepped onto that stage. Looking back, I surely wish I wasn’t so nervous and acted a little bit more lively, etc. Oh well. I hope you enjoy/enjoyed the show. It’s a great memory for me.
What a fantastic story! makes this clip so much more interesting, thanks for sharing (and what a great talent with which to have your 'brush with fame'!)
@jschuler53 Gene said he loved Italy. He liked hearing "Bravo Pitney" and the wine. He seemed so much more relaxed in Europe, it was like seeing another side of Gene. He sang Italian songs like a native and few ppl here in the States even know about those performances. I didn't till TH-cam. Glad to meet another Pitney fan. He was one of a kind and no one matched him or surpassed him.:o)
@jschuler53 I'm gonna be Strong is not only my fave P. song but also my all time fave song. Something's got a hold of my Heart, Backstage, It hurts to be in Love, and pretty much anything he did. Town without Pity and Lib Valance brought him international fame. I also love "Hate" and Heartbreaker, great dancing songs. Have you listened to any of his interviews? It was nice to hear his speaking voice, a very down to earth man.:o)
The young lady with Gene Pitney is Beautiful. I would give anything to meet Gene Pitney I have all of his Albums and Cds. I'm 35 years old. And I could tell you what I would give to have went to this concert. Gene Pitney The Great. Thank You for posting this. This is so Awesome. 😊👍👍👍👍
This is the gentleman side of Gene . He was with the Rolling Stones in Europe . I met him when I was 5 .Long hair playing a acoustic guitar with a beer and a cigarette sitting on a picnic table at a state park in Connecticut . I was not to disturb Him because He was working on a song. Being 5 and hearing guitar I went up a small hill and saw Him . He actually ask Me if what He was playing sounded good . A great role model for Me and have been a guitar player most of My adult life . He wrote A town with no pity and became the Rockville rocket My hometown.
@roughsedge60 He did have a wonderful voice. I really respected the guy cos he managed himself and he's own tours, Produced and wrote alot of he's own songs. PJ Proby was obviously a big fan cos if you listen to "Just call and I'll be there" by him, he sounds just like Gene !
I mean if you have a voice like that what else are you going to do but sing professionally? It's like their calling. They don't have a choice about it. They were born for it.
re: his voice being at it's most powerful in the 60's... I'm not so sure Roger :) I think it became more powerful as he matured; when I saw him in Bradford in the 90's he dam-near blew the roof off with Nessuno Mi Puo!
@Tonithenightowl what is your favorite Pitney song? Although I like them all, and have mentioned some of my favorites, I like A Town Without Pity and The Man WHo SHot Liberty Valance, both heard in filmtracks...
@Tonithenightowl you could never mistake Gene's voice..he looks so quiet and innocent...i am impressed he sang several songs in italian in Italy..when his career slumped a bit here, he was really big in Europe.
I want to thank C Smith for sharing her and her sisters EXPERIENCE, truly lovely, Gene no words do him justice and of course always great thanks to Roger
Great Job Roger! Keep up the good work. For those of us who grew up loving Gene, this is a real treat as his videos are rare. BTW, any man who loves cats like you apparently do are very secure men. :-)
Che meraviglia sei Gene!Bello,elegante e gran signore. Una voce unica e quando cantavi in italiano eri strepitoso. Sono stata superfortunata ad avere avuto la pissibilità di poterti apprezzare. Nessuno mi può giudicare e E se domani cantate da te,mio caro,sono state le migliori versioni . Grazie Gene per essere sistito❤
The girl with Gene is me...50 years ago! It was the summer of 1967...I was 17. The story is my dad was a cameraman for WGN television in Chicago before he passed away in 1961. A few months later, my mom worked for the TV station on Bradley place as a secretary in the Production Dept. She was able to get my sister and me tickets to Gene Pitney’s show. While we were standing in line waiting to be seated, we passed by Gene's dressing room. The door was open, he looked out and saw me, I smiled, and the line moved on. My sister and I were seated in the chairs facing the stage. The producer, Pete Price, came up to me and said that Gene would like me to go on stage with him later in the show, and would I like to do that? Of course, my answer was, "Yes." He took my hand and led me to a table in front...to your right as you’re looking at the stage. Before the show, he came and introduced himself and told me that all I had to do was come on stage and hold a sign for him. Needless to say, and by the looks of me, I was quite nervous. One time during his song, I looked at my sister (she's the one with her back to you in some scenes…white top with buttons going down, short/light brownish/page-boy hair), and she motioned for me to smile - you can tell where that happened. You can see him come over to my table at the end of Part 4 and ask me for a drink from my water glass. Even though he put the glass down on the table next to mine, Pete said I could keep it. I’ve had it for years and years, and no one could touch or use it : ) That was it…I was a star-struck teenage girl. A few years later, I tried to get a VHS copy of the tape of the show but was told several of their archived shows were destroyed in a fire and couldn't be reproduced. You can imagine my disappointment. In the 90's, I did a Google search. There was a website from a guy on the east coast who published a list of shows, musicals, etc., of all kinds that he had in his studio. There was one, “An Evening With Gene Pitney,” from WGN. I sent him an email and asked him if his copy had a girl on stage wearing a skirt and top that looked like a sailor outfit…He responded, “Yep!” I asked him if I could purchase a copy, he said I could, and he only charged me $10 for a DVD, no taxes or s/h…that’s it. Cool, huh? I couldn’t believe that’s all I had to pay for something that was so important to me. I was very thankful to him and so excited to get it, and it’s safe and sound in my “keepsake” box. About a year ago, I did another search through TH-cam. I found the whole show…wow! I was going to write this story then, but it never happened. It seems more appropriate that I’m doing it now, though, because it has been 50 years since I stepped onto that stage. Looking back, I surely wish I wasn’t so nervous and acted a little bit more lively, etc. Oh well. I hope you enjoy/enjoyed the show. It’s a great memory for me.
Ik ben jaloers. Wat een geluk,
What a fantastic story! makes this clip so much more interesting, thanks for sharing (and what a great talent with which to have your 'brush with fame'!)
Good story. You re Beautiful teen.
Wow, that is a story !!!!!, can imagine it was a thrill, also great you can look it back.
That was a a beautiful story and how lucky you were to meet the great Gene Pitney. He was so charismatic and had such an amazing voice.
@jschuler53 Gene said he loved Italy. He liked hearing "Bravo Pitney" and the wine. He seemed so much more relaxed in Europe, it was like seeing another side of Gene. He sang Italian songs like a native and few ppl here in the States even know about those performances. I didn't till TH-cam. Glad to meet another Pitney fan. He was one of a kind and no one matched him or surpassed him.:o)
One of the great singers songwriters.
@jschuler53 I'm gonna be Strong is not only my fave P. song but also my all time fave song. Something's got a hold of my Heart, Backstage, It hurts to be in Love, and pretty much anything he did. Town without Pity and Lib Valance brought him international fame. I also love "Hate" and Heartbreaker, great dancing songs. Have you listened to any of his interviews? It was nice to hear his speaking voice, a very down to earth man.:o)
So great to see the great man like this. So humble, so brilliant.
The young lady with Gene Pitney is Beautiful. I would give anything to meet Gene Pitney I have all of his Albums and Cds. I'm 35 years old. And I could tell you what I would give to have went to this concert. Gene Pitney The Great. Thank You for posting this. This is so Awesome. 😊👍👍👍👍
agreed about most powerful voice... he was one of a kind.
Incredible talent. Left us much too early.
What a great man but left all of ours wanting more
love it
This is the gentleman side of Gene . He was with the Rolling Stones in Europe . I met him when I was 5 .Long hair playing a acoustic guitar with a beer and a cigarette sitting on a picnic table at a state park in Connecticut . I was not to disturb Him because He was working on a song. Being 5 and hearing guitar I went up a small hill and saw Him . He actually ask Me if what He was playing sounded good . A great role model for Me and have been a guitar player most of My adult life . He wrote A town with no pity and became the Rockville rocket My hometown.
Super cool and confident. Great performer.
@roughsedge60 He did have a wonderful voice. I really respected the guy cos he managed himself and he's own tours, Produced and wrote alot of he's own songs. PJ Proby was obviously a big fan cos if you listen to "Just call and I'll be there" by him, he sounds just like Gene !
@roughsedge60 You got that right. No one ever had his voice. He stood alone.
Billy Joe Royal, smile, Henry hawk Hall,
The best xxx
I mean if you have a voice like that what else are you going to do but sing professionally? It's like their calling. They don't have a choice about it. They were born for it.
just great, so good,
re: his voice being at it's most powerful in the 60's... I'm not so sure Roger :)
I think it became more powerful as he matured; when I saw him in Bradford in the 90's he dam-near blew the roof off with Nessuno Mi Puo!
@Tonithenightowl what is your favorite Pitney song? Although I like them all, and have mentioned some of my favorites, I like A Town Without Pity and The Man WHo SHot Liberty Valance, both heard in filmtracks...
bravo gene! cantava molto bene in italiano .
Happy may day 6th 24 to maggie linda derek freddie and jay
Gene pitney had a voice no one could copy, a fantastic singer.
@Tonithenightowl you could never mistake Gene's voice..he looks so quiet and innocent...i am impressed he sang several songs in italian in Italy..when his career slumped a bit here, he was really big in Europe.
Wow so good 👍 to be in stage with gene pitney best singer ever God bless you gene rest in peace all ways
ive got most of Genes songs on CD and my wife and i used to be in his fan club, to me he was the best, a megastar.
I want to thank C Smith for sharing her and her sisters EXPERIENCE, truly lovely, Gene no words do him justice and of course always great thanks to Roger
Woow, What a Talent!
Great Job Roger! Keep up the good work. For those of us who grew up loving Gene, this is a real treat as his videos are rare. BTW, any man who loves cats like you apparently do are very secure men. :-)
Thanks Gale, join the Gene Pitney fan club on FB :)
@@Rogerschannel😂
I'm very Irish!
Wow what a singer loved him rip gene
Che meraviglia sei Gene!Bello,elegante e gran signore. Una voce unica e quando cantavi in italiano eri strepitoso. Sono stata superfortunata ad avere avuto la pissibilità di poterti apprezzare. Nessuno mi può giudicare e E se domani cantate da te,mio caro,sono state le migliori versioni . Grazie Gene per essere sistito❤