I've always believed had Whitley lived – and lived up to the potential that was bearing fruit in May of 1989 – he'd have been a prominent member of that 90s movement. He died just as Country music's famous "Class Of '89" was blooming – Clint Black got a head start with his "Killin' Time" album that spring, and Garth Brooks, while initially slow out of the gate, soon lapped everybody and carried the torch for the 90s boom. But, he was in the midst of a steady rise, seemingly poised for stardom, after earning three consecutive #1 singles in the nine months leading up to his death.īecause he was so young, and so on the verge, many of us who knew Whitley and played his songs have always played the "what if" game when considering Whitley's potential impact on the format. At the time of his sudden, untimely passing due to an alcohol overdose at 33, Whitley wasn't a music superstar even in his own genre, which of course, was Country. I mean, 29 years is considered a full generation. Let me back up a second, because some people reading this may be wondering, "who's Keith Whitley?" My first reaction to that query would be an indignant "Shame on you for not knowing! It's Keith-Freakin'-Whitley!" But, it's a fair question. Collins, CO MD/morning co-host Brian Gary's recollection of being on the air when the news broke, it rocked my world. Perhaps it makes more sense to mark this occasion in more traditional benchmark years, as next year will be the 30th anniversary, but honestly, when I read KUAD/Ft. He was buried at Somers Center Cemetery in Somers, Connecticut.It's mind-blowing to see reminders all over social media this week that Keith Whitley died 29 years ago – May 9th, 1989, to be exact. The cause of his death was ascertained to be a heart attack. On April 5, 2006, during his UK tour, he was found dead in his hotel room in Cardiff, Wales. He married his childhood sweetheart, Lynne Gayton, in 1966, and had three children with her. His songs gained notable popularity in US and UK and he was inducted into ‘Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’ in 2002. He eventually gained fame as a singer when he recorded his self-penned song, ‘I Wanna Love My Life Away’. His songs were performed by many famous artists.
However, initially he found more success as a songwriter rather than as a singer. He made his official debut by recording a duet with Ginny Arnell in 1959. After high school, he studied electrical engineering while simultaneously focusing on music. He loved music since his childhood and joined a band in high school.
Marked by his piercing, pained, and melodramatic tenor, he was often characterized (very unfairly) as a shallow “teen idol” type of singer.
Gene Pitney was an American singer, songwriter, and sound engineer best known for his song ‘Town Without Pity’.
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