Gene Pitney (1941-2006)

Singer Gene Pitney, whose ballad "Town Without Pity" was one of my faves as a teenager, died in Cardiff, Wales today while on a tour of Great Britain.

The 65-year-old American star was found dead in his hotel room. Police said the death was not being treated as suspicious.

Pitney's melodramatic vocal stylings bridged the gap between 1950s pop and 1960s rock 'n' roll.

His 40-year career included several big hits in addition to "Town Without Pity," including "It Hurts to Be in Love," "Every Breath I Take," "Only Love Can Break a Heart," "I'm Gonna Be Strong" and his biggest, "24 Hours From Tulsa."

Pitney was unfairly considered a lightweight by some critics, but his influence is writ large in several areas.

"Mecca," his 1963 hit, was a precursor to psychedelic music because of Pitney's use of Indian musical influences, while "(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance" went a long way toward bringing country music into the pop mainstream.

Like many other American artists, Pitney was eclipsed at home by the British invasion, but remained popular in the U.K. and Europe.

His songs have been recorded by other stars -- "Hello Mary Lou" by Ricky Nelson, "Today's Teardrops" by Roy Orbison, and "Rubber Ball" by Bobby Vee. Pintney also wrote the Crystals smash hit "He's a Rebel."