Gene Pitney

Charting the life of Gene Pitney

At long last, thirteen years after the passing of the much-loved Gene Pitney in 2006, there is a full-length biography of this legendary, international singer-songwriter with the distinctive voice.

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Michael Turner set out to write a booklet but when superstar Neil Sedaka wrote the foreword, the process of compilation stepped up a gear.

When my other pop hero surprised me by positively responding to my request during the embryonic stage of writing, I had to produce a book that eventually reached 126 pages, bearing 50,000 words of solid, factual text that was worthy of Neil’s support and a quality publication that he would be pleased to read.
(Michael Turner)

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Reviews

Neil Sedaka

nMichael did a wonderful job and I am pleased to have contributed.

Dave McGrath who ran Gene Pitney's Fan Club and merchandising

...I worked closely with Gene for 21 years (1985 -2006) and I learned some things from this book that I never knew...

Maxine Gray, Christchurch, New Zealand

Charting The Life Of Gene Pitney is a book that needed to be written. Thank you for keeping this legend's name and music alive...

Judith Onions, Staffordshire, England

A beautiful book, beautifully written about a beautiful man. I hope all fans see this book.

Full reviews

Genesis of the book

Michael Turner

I am pleased to have written the first Gene Pitney biography in the world to encompass his entire life... I have gathered a wide range of sources including: lengthy and detailed radio interviews broadcast on Gene’s local radio stations; contemporary published magazine articles; fan club booklets; my meetings with Gene and the e-mails that Gene wrote to me.
If you have read the book, I would be delighted to receive your comments. The biography was written as a labour of love. Any profits will be spent on future editions based upon new information and a new chapter called the “Fans Remember Gene”. This is your chance to perpetuate the expansion of this book and to keep the memory of Gene Pitney alive.

Full text

After reading the book Neil Sedaka, who wrote the foreword, said that Michael had done a wonderful job and was pleased to have contributed.

Book launch video

The unrehearsed, first and only take to launch the world's first biography to span the life of singer-songwriter Gene Pitney, for which Neil Sedaka wrote the foreword. From Bramfield, Suffolk, England, Del and Jeremy sing two Pitney compositions: Hello Mary Lou and Rubber Ball.

BBC Radio Bristol

When Steve Yabsley of BBC Radio Bristol interviewed Michael Turner about his early life, teaching career, global expeditions and latest publication: "Charting the Life of Gene Pitney".

Sample pages

Click on these sample pages from "Charting the life of Gene Pitney" to see larger versions

The cover of the book "Charting the life of Gene Pitney" by Michael Turner

Sample pages of the book "Charting the life of Gene Pitney" by Michael Turner

This page includes photographs showing Gene Pitney on his 51st birthday at Portsmouth, England and in rehearsal with musical director Gary Rue. It also has the start of the chapter "A modest resurgence in recording".

Sample pages of the book "Charting the life of Gene Pitney" by Michael Turner

This page includes very rare photographs of Gene Pitney in the studio and with his youngest son, David.

Sample pages of the book "Charting the life of Gene Pitney" by Michael Turner

This page includes photographs showing "some noteworthy singles' labels". It also has the start of the "Reference discography" appendix.

The back cover of the book "Charting the life of Gene Pitney" by Michael Turner

The back cover including a synopsis

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