Goodbye Gene Pitney

Legendary singer Gene Pitney passed away Wednesday morning at a hotel in Cardiff, Wales, according to various sources. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member was 65 years old. Just the previous night, he had received a standing ovation for a performance at St David's Hall in the Welsh capital. The cause of death has yet to be determined, but officials do not suspect foul play, Reuters reports.

Pitney is perhaps best known for the hits "24 Hours From Tulsa" and "A Town Without Pity", the title song from the 1961 Kirk Douglas film. The latter number also wound up among tunes by Sonic Youth, Beck, and the Flaming Lips on the soundtrack to Richard Linklater's 1996 film SubUrbia. A dedicated live performer, the much-loved singer died while in the midst of a 23-date tour of Britain. He is survived by his wife Lynne and three sons.

(As reported by Pitchfork News)