Live version of his 1961 hit, with chorus of girls doing background vocals... different, but cool! Video captured from a TV broadcast... sorry for the reduced quality, but it is all we have.
Aww such a lovely guy. I met Gene a year later when he came to London & stayed at the hotel where I worked. By this time he had changed his hairstyle and didn't look so gaunt. Wonderful fun days. My absolute favourite person
I was 18 and a freshman at UCLA when this was done. I’m the blonde on the end of the backup trio. Gene was so nice to work with and I have wonderful memories of this experience. Ann Margret was a stunning smash performing Bachelor in Paradise, set her career on fire.
Do you remember the names of the other two background singers? What other background work have you done? Did you have to audition for the Oscar performance?
@@robertpingel1700 They were Sheila Von Euer and Rene Von Euer. They sang as the Vonnair Sisters. They had two other sisters who sometime alternated to form the all girl trio. The other two were Michele (Mitzi Von Euer) and Sonia Von Euer.
@@johnhuskey3177 Thanks for that reply. It surprised me because I actually have a couple of 45 rpm records by the Vonnair Sisters who also backed Annette Funicello on a few of her songs.
Please don't take this personally but you go to the top of my hate list when it comes to my jealousy towards those who experienced a fabulous " Gene Pitney" moment. The Academy Awards none the less !!! My goodness what a THRILL this must have been and what a fantastic memory. Dammit, now I'm jealous all over again. lol :o)
It was so adorable to hear Gene say he was more worried about falling down the stairs, embarrassing family and friends back home than the millions who were watching him. lol It went off without a hitch and he was FANTASTIC !!!
Gene was our boy, Connecticut born and raised. Even as his fame grew, he never moved away from his beloved state, growing up in Rockville then living in Somers until his unfortunate passing ...as a fan since the age of 12, I can say with all honesty I loved this mans' singing...he was part of my life through the ups and the downs...I've stood at his grave, realizing in the whole world, I was his only fan to be there...we all miss Gene but are thankful that we can still listen to his music here on UA-cam
Gene many times spoke of this night in later interviews and of his nerves, especially regarding walking down those stairs mid-performance. His voice doesn't betray his nerves at all, and the stairs? no issue haha! Wonderful to see this performance after hearing him reference it so often. Doesn't he look and sound marvelous?
Yes Marcel, he always did look and sound marvellous. It certainly was tough to be up against Moon River but if I remember correctly he did win a Golden Globe for this song.
Thanks! I was one of the three girls, the blonde on the end. I was 17 at the time and it was one of my first gigs, all very glamorous and exciting.! Gene. was very nice to work with, too. Thanks for your comment!
@@dianalee3059 So Diana, was you nervous ? I've always given the backup singers credit for their performances, just really adds so much. Glad you let us know that you we right in the thick of things.
@@dianalee3059 ; Anytime, I’d love to hear more especially about the band in the pit, rehearsals, just about everything. I am sure you are also aware this is a completely different arrangement than the record.
Hi I just saw this. Well yes the arrangement was different from the record, it was especially written for that night, we rehearsed just with piano first and didn’t rehearse with the orchestra until the day of the show. Gene was very nice, quiet, almost shy. We all got along very well. Annargref was on that show too, really getting her first big break singing Bachelir In Parafise. She was SO nervous but did a fantastic performance. I was a student at UCLA at the time, living in one of the dorms, and I was told they made a big announcement Lol! The next day was like my 15 minutes of fame. I went on to have a 50 year career doing backup and soo work, very bessed. Have lots of wonderful stories and memories.
I believe at the time, Gene Pitney was the youngest singer to ever perform an Oscar nominated song at the Academy Awards. While the song won a Golden Globe, it lost at the Oscars to Moon River.
They got it wrong back then. While “ Moon River “ was a great song, “ A Town Without Pity “ was much better in my opinion. I’m so glad I lived in this era, the music was the best! 1961 I was 12 yrs. old…oooh the 60’s! 👍♥️🎶🎤🎼
They were Sheila Von Euer and Rene Von Euer. They sang as the Vonnair Sisters. They had two other sisters who sometime alternated to form the all girl trio. The other two were Michele (Mitzi Von Euer) and Sonia Von Euer.
A wonderfully louche song that might have won an Oscar any other year ... but very tough to go up against Moon River, a song the nation had fallen in love with!
Great arrangement great singer, great tune, great performance. If only Gene would have insisted the drummer set up the slowdown with a couple of "Bombs", immediately after the killa' intro. Gene conducts it, but the great band in the pit, isn't used to Gene's conducting of that speed change following the killa' intro.
I never saw anyone change so 'physically' as Gene Pitney. Compare him with this video and with his later ones - hard to believe he is the same person. I really do believe he had health issues and when I met him in the mid 80's he was quite 'podgy' for a guy in his 40's. With the years also came a change to his exceptional voice and sadly, he became quite harsh, as well as losing a lot off his top range. Critical - yes! But I'll always be his greatest fan and even today I sing along with his songs. I named my second son 'Gene'. Gene Pitney loved to sing to his audiences. I saw him perform many times and it was sad to lose him so early. A truly unique performer.
@@Marcel_Audubon there's a lot of anger from you - why I don't know. I was GP's greatest fan. I also met him personally, but he did sometimes sing very harshly. Sorry to disappoint, but I didn't call my first son by my name.. I just wonder why you would call me a narcissist - simply because I say it as it is. Go get some help and get rid of the rage ...
@@Marcel_Audubon I will...thanks. You can see my clip on You Tube too... Roberto Gennari/ This Crazy Heart. Turn the sound up... you may even like it! Best regards...
Back then, you were in awe because they could sing, really sing, no pro tools, no auto tune, amazing era of pure cornucopia of delights.
Greatness here. Nothing like this today.
Aww such a lovely guy. I met Gene a year later when he came to London & stayed at the hotel where I worked. By this time he had changed his hairstyle and didn't look so gaunt. Wonderful fun days. My absolute favourite person
I was 11 yrs old wow still listening to his music at 70 amazing
I was 18 and a freshman at UCLA when this was done. I’m the blonde on the end of the backup trio. Gene was so nice to work with and I have wonderful memories of this experience. Ann Margret was a stunning smash performing Bachelor in Paradise, set her career on fire.
Do you remember the names of the other two background singers? What other background work have you done? Did you have to audition for the Oscar performance?
@@robertpingel1700 They were Sheila Von Euer and Rene Von Euer. They sang as the Vonnair Sisters. They had two other sisters who sometime alternated to form the all girl trio. The other two were Michele (Mitzi Von Euer) and Sonia Von Euer.
@@johnhuskey3177 Thanks for that reply. It surprised me because I actually have a couple of 45 rpm records by the Vonnair Sisters who also backed Annette Funicello on a few of her songs.
Please don't take this personally but you go to the top of my hate list when it comes to my jealousy towards those who experienced a fabulous " Gene Pitney" moment. The Academy Awards none the less !!! My goodness what a THRILL this must have been and what a fantastic memory. Dammit, now I'm jealous all over again. lol :o)
Thank you for sharing! Beautiful singing and you look beautiful!🎉
Keep playing this over and over what a voice missed so much xxx
Thank you ! Gene Pitney had an phenomenal range and unique voice.
Gene is one of the greatest singers ever! So special & unusual!
Absolutely.
Aveva una melodia e una voce come pochi, ero una sua grande fan. Rip Gene
Absolutely fantastic voice Mr Gene Pitney. One of the very best without doubt 👏 👏👏👏👏
I had an 8 track tape player in my car in 1969. I wore out a Gene Pitney tape listening to an awesome singer. I still cannot hear enough of him.
It was so adorable to hear Gene say he was more worried about falling down the stairs, embarrassing family and friends back home than the millions who were watching him. lol It went off without a hitch and he was FANTASTIC !!!
2022 and I still get goosebumps just slide back in 1961🎶💕🎶
2023 and still the same.
I’m 64, I remember my mother playing this, when I was 2 years old. It took me 30 years to find it ❤ Ty Godbless
Town without Pitney ? No , he is living in our hearts !
Gene was our boy, Connecticut born and raised. Even as his fame grew, he never moved away from his beloved state, growing up in Rockville then living in Somers until his unfortunate passing ...as a fan since the age of 12, I can say with all honesty I loved this mans' singing...he was part of my life through the ups and the downs...I've stood at his grave, realizing in the whole world, I was his only fan to be there...we all miss Gene but are thankful that we can still listen to his music here on UA-cam
Gene Pitney and Bob Hope together - what a dynamic duo! 🤩
What a voice....what a talent
No one but Gene could sing this song as well
Brilliant always loved his singing ❤🎉
very nice song, when I heard it the first time, it became one of my top 10, RIP Mr Gene Pitney.
Gene many times spoke of this night in later interviews and of his nerves, especially regarding walking down those stairs mid-performance. His voice doesn't betray his nerves at all, and the stairs? no issue haha! Wonderful to see this performance after hearing him reference it so often. Doesn't he look and sound marvelous?
Yes Marcel, he always did look and sound marvellous. It certainly was tough to be up against Moon River but if I remember correctly he did win a Golden Globe for this song.
Brilliant
The man was great as they come. So unique.
He’s fantastic xxx
What a brilliant amazing singer, just love his voice. XLX
Great voice and talent,wrote a lot of His hits too.
The chorus are fenomenal ..elegant our lovely Gene..
I have never seen Gene this young before. thank you
One performer I wish I would have seen live.
This is truly down memory lane.
Amazing
Great voice love this song xxx
Years later he said he was completely terrified during this performance, sure he'd fall down those stairs.
Back up singers did a great job too, and they were a big part of it.
Thanks! I was one of the three girls, the blonde on the end. I was 17 at the time and it was one of my first gigs, all very glamorous and exciting.! Gene. was very nice to work with, too. Thanks for your comment!
@@dianalee3059 So Diana, was you nervous ? I've always given the backup singers credit for their performances, just really adds so much. Glad you let us know that you we right in the thick of things.
No I wasn’t nervous but I was definitely excited! It was such a glamorous gig, to be surrounded by so many celebrities
@@dianalee3059 ; Anytime, I’d love to hear more especially about the band in the pit, rehearsals, just about everything.
I am sure you are also aware this is a completely different arrangement than the record.
Hi I just saw this. Well yes the arrangement was different from the record, it was especially written for that night, we rehearsed just with piano first and didn’t rehearse with the orchestra until the day of the show. Gene was very nice, quiet, almost shy. We all got along very well. Annargref was on that show too, really getting her first big break singing Bachelir In Parafise. She was SO nervous but did a fantastic performance. I was a student at UCLA at the time, living in one of the dorms, and I was told they made a big announcement Lol! The next day was like my 15 minutes of fame. I went on to have a 50 year career doing backup and soo work, very bessed. Have lots of wonderful stories and memories.
I believe at the time, Gene Pitney was the youngest singer to ever perform an Oscar nominated song at the Academy Awards. While the song won a Golden Globe, it lost at the Oscars to Moon River.
Wow, 2 great frigging tunes.
They got it wrong back then. While “ Moon River “ was a great song, “ A Town Without Pity “ was much better in my opinion. I’m so glad I lived in this era, the music was the best! 1961 I was 12 yrs. old…oooh the 60’s! 👍♥️🎶🎤🎼
No need to apologize for the quality. You did good.
Wonderful performance!
Hard to believe how young he looked! Nice video Cliff....
I saw the movie at a drive-in in 1962. Remembered hearing it on the radio.
Gene did a fantastic job!
Las generaciones actuales no conocen a grandes cantantes..del pasado...el mundo creen que empezo con ellos... gracias GENE PITNEY....RIP...🌷🌷🌷🌷
There's no mistaking Gene Pitney's voice.
never saw this before great
WOW WOW WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
From a mad keen 75yo Aussie fan.
Great voice
So composed and polished, even though he reported he was so nervous.
Nice one! Truly a rare video.
Wow this was great! Never saw this before! thank you so much!
Wow, thanks so much for this rare video!!
Thank Connecticut for one of its only big pop stars.
Miss this guy so much! The very best!
This might have won the Oscar for Best Song that year if it wasn't up against Moon River.
I remember seeing Gene Pitney on that Academy show and thinking how cool to have a rock n' roller on such a 'straight' show.
Just great!
makes me cry i miss you gene so much so unfair you were taken far to young you were the best ever rip darlin gene will meet again one day xxx
Gorgeous beyond belief
Great video. Thanks for posting.
Thank you!!
April 9, 1962 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. The 34th annual Academy Awards, for movies made during 1961.
Like the girls in the background. He said in an interview that this TV appearance made him a star.
CT's gift to music and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Love 💘this miss you gene rest in peace
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Wow what a fantastic song so young love him ❤️❤️👏👏👏
He was special
Love this song. I believe its on the soundtrack for Waters' Hairspray.
20 year old Gene
Performance from the 1962 Oscar ceremonies
Alan Rosenthal 1961
Back up trio real good.
They were Sheila Von Euer and Rene Von Euer. They sang as the Vonnair Sisters. They had two other sisters who sometime alternated to form the all girl trio. The other two were Michele (Mitzi Von Euer) and Sonia Von Euer.
The blond singer has posted here as Diana Lee.
Thank you
Excellent clip and sound. Where'd you find it? Oscar musical numbers are rare!
I remember watching this Oscar broadcast... It was a memorable song with that "instantly recognizable" voice.... I still have my 45rpm record..
its interesting,with gene singing with the 3 girls
A wonderfully louche song that might have won an Oscar any other year ... but very tough to go up against Moon River, a song the nation had fallen in love with!
Fantastic!!!!!!!
Wonderful! a un passo dal vincere l'oscar, che bravo!
Magic Arica Chile
Love this one ❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏
This is good
fabulous
This song makes you feel like dancing
I was hoping he would come out and rant about every thing he hates about America. Award shows must have been boring back them.
The youngest I've seen him.
Fantastic
Wonderful
The music sounds like something from a James Bond movie. Is there a name for this particular genre and age of music?
He never had a number one single of his own, but he did write the number one song, "He's a Rebel" recorded by The Crystals.
He had a great voice.
Molto elegante nella voce, nell'aspetto.
What a contrast in the 1968 song Heartbreaker.
A Bob Hope intro is always a win
Love gene
Great arrangement great singer, great tune, great performance.
If only Gene would have insisted the drummer set up the slowdown with a couple of "Bombs", immediately after the killa' intro.
Gene conducts it, but the great band in the pit, isn't used to Gene's conducting of that speed change following the killa' intro.
what song won that year?
"Moon River" from "Breakfast at Tiffany's" won the Oscar for Best Song. However, this song won a Golden Globe in the same category.
I love you and want to have your baby... I have been looking for this forever lol Thanks you so much :o)
Tigers with stripes...hugZz!
Is that year right?
In the end his deep opera voice God gave him took over and was better
0:29 TWOP TOWN WITHOUT PITNEY
please Name of These song!!!
+Stargazar It's A town without pity
Stargazar name of gene pitneys song is town without pity xxxxxx
I never saw anyone change so 'physically' as Gene Pitney. Compare him with this video and with his later ones - hard to believe he is the same person. I really do believe he had health issues and when I met him in the mid 80's he was quite 'podgy' for a guy in his 40's. With the years also came a change to his exceptional voice and sadly, he became quite harsh, as well as losing a lot off his top range. Critical - yes! But I'll always be his greatest fan and even today I sing along with his songs. I named my second son 'Gene'. Gene Pitney loved to sing to his audiences. I saw him perform many times and it was sad to lose him so early. A truly unique performer.
You must be joking ... you're comparing a 19 year old to a middle aged version of himself ... of course he changed!! (and so did you, sister!!)
a real fan woulda named his FIRST son Gene ... lemme guess, you named the first one after yourself, right? what a narcissist!!
@@Marcel_Audubon there's a lot of anger from you - why I don't know. I was GP's greatest fan. I also met him personally, but he did sometimes sing very harshly. Sorry to disappoint, but I didn't call my first son by my name.. I just wonder why you would call me a narcissist - simply because I say it as it is. Go get some help and get rid of the rage ...
@@sdi1111 please listen to the Eminem song 'Stan' before calling yourself someone's greatest fan
@@Marcel_Audubon I will...thanks. You can see my clip on You Tube too... Roberto Gennari/ This Crazy Heart. Turn the sound up... you may even like it! Best regards...
I don't know Gene seemed to go with the flow but those girls???? Sway a little lol
He sounds like his shorts are too tight.
The back up singers help ruin the song. Too cheesy for me
This isn't Gene Pitney.
This is most certainly Gene Pitney, when he was 21 years old. Why do you think it isn't?
Are you blind, granny? hard of hearing, too? Yes, it most definitely is Gene Pitney!
It is indeed Gene, albeit a very young Gene !!
The backup singers were beauties.