Kenny Rankin - R.I.P.

[Lois Gilbert]

Kenny Rankin, the renowned singer, songwriter and musician, died from complications of lung cancer at Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles on June 7. He was 69.

Rankin's music career spanned 50 years beginning with a handful of singles for Decca Records in the late 1950's. A few years later he signed with Columbia Records and found himself playing guitar on Bob Dylan's landmark 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home. Soon after, The Tonight Show host Johnny Carson became such a fan that Rankin was invited to appear on the show more than 20 times. Carson also contributed liner notes to Rankin's 1967 debut LP Mind Dusters, which included his much covered pop standard "Peaceful."

Growing up in the multicultural hotbed of New York's Washington Heights neighborhood, he absorbed a broad array of musical influences, from Afro-Cuban to Top 40 to Jazz to Brazilian.

Rankin's supple pristine tenor earned him status as a singer's singer, while his songwriting talents have been widely recognized by his peers. Some of his earlier compositions include Peggy Lee's "In The Name Of Love" as well as versions of "Haven't We Met" performed by Carmen McRae and Mel Torme.

Rankin's own unique gift for reworking classic songs such as The Beatles' "Blackbird," which he recorded for his Silver Morning album, so impressed Paul McCartney that he asked Rankin to perform his interpretation of the song when McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame.

The much acclaimed The Kenny Rankin Album was recorded in 1976 live with a 60-piece orchestra, arranged and conducted by the legendary Don Costa, creating what many now consider the first contemporary "torch" album.

Throughout the last 20 years, Rankin continued to tour and perform for his steadfast and devoted following.

Rankin was recently signed to the Sly Dog imprint of Mack Avenue Records, and was scheduled to record a few weeks ago with the famed producer Phil Ramone when the label learned of his illness, which led to the cancellation of those sessions.

States Mack Avenue President Denny Stilwell, "The news on Sunday of Kenny's passing took us all by surprise. That he was still at the top of his game is one of the saddest parts of his passing for me. He performed the new material in our office over the last few months and his voice was still in its finest form - he sounded absolutely amazing. Our hearts and prayers are with his family."

He is survived by his son, two daughters and granddaughter. Funeral arrangements are pending, and a memorial service in Los Angeles is being planned.

[Ron Thorne]

Oh man, this thread title really stopped me in my tracks.

Kenny's voice was so distinctive, and one which Patti and I enjoyed for decades. We heard Kenny live on one occasion when he appeared in Anchorage, meeting him and speaking with him briefly after the show. His interpretation of Here's That Rainy Day is still our favorite. He made it his own without compromising the integrity of the original melody line. His passion and phrasing was always such a pleasure to hear.

This is a very sad piece of news, and what a shame that he was still singing well and had planned a new recording session which had to be cancelled.

Our sincere condolences to Kenny's family and faithful friends and fans.



R.I.P., Kenny Rankin~

[Valerie]

i am beyond shocked and very sad. i was a very big fan of his. he was magical to me. and i know some folks who were very close to him so am thinking of them at this moment as well as his family and other friends. what a loss!

[Peterdubya]

Kenny was a sweet and talented guy. He was supposed to play Yoshi's last month, but canceled because he was sick. He went out of his way to call me and tell me what was going on, because he felt so bad canceling with little notice.

He always had a joke and was quick to smile.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

This loss really stuns me. Kenny Rankin has been one of my favorite singers since I was a kid. I loved that guy. A singer's singer indeed.

My very first Kenny Rankin album



RIP - Mr. Rankin

[Jazzooo]

I was such a fan. I met someone recently who was a close friend of his and was actually working on a biography, and we were in talks about trying to get him to come perform in San Miguel. I have a fun Kenny Rankin story that I'll share later. RIP.

[Valerie]

it's interesting to me that the posts here (from big fans of Kenny's) are all people i'm fans of!!

[Mike Schwartz]

RIP....count me in as a fan as well.
Memories of wonderful performances going back to the late 70's/early 80's

Did not see him in recent years.....had been looking forward to getting to the Yoshi's gig mentioned earlier that had to be cancelled.

[Joe Carter]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

This loss really stuns me. Kenny Rankin has been one of my favorite singers since I was a kid. I loved that guy. A singer's singer indeed.

My very first Kenny Rankin album



RIP - Mr. Rankin

IMO, his best recording, although all his others were a very close second. His version of Hank Williams' House of Gold still gives me chills. Jimmy, I saw him at Toad's Place in the 70s.

R.I.P.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Yeah Joe, I'm kicking myself now because I let the opportunity pass to see him at the Ridgefield Playhouse not too long ago. Why couldn't he live forever? Not fair.

[hornplayer]

I heard the news this morning while I was getting dressed, and it stopped me in my tracks. I thought I heard Gary Walker wrong, but no.

So sad.

Over in The Alley, there's a (somewhat inane, imho) thread about what song defines your era. I've always thought it was more about the singers of those songs, or at least as much.

My sincere condolences to his family and colleagues. Gone way too soon.

[groover]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

This loss really stuns me. Kenny Rankin has been one of my favorite singers since I was a kid. I loved that guy. A singer's singer indeed.

My very first Kenny Rankin album



RIP - Mr. Rankin

That's the first I encountered, too, in a stack of promo copies a local DJ gave to my brother. His version of "When Sunny Gets Blue" made me a fan. RIP.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

My first encounter with Kenny Rankin was years before that album. It was the one and only time I saw him live. It was back in the 60s when he was still part of a singing duo a la Seals and Croft. I was Impressed by him then but I barely remember his partner. I often wonder what happened to him. I have an amusing story about that date that I'll have to relate when I have more time.

[groover]

Originally Posted by Jimmy Cantiello

My first encounter with Kenny Rankin was years before that album. It was the one and only time I saw him live. It was back in the 60s when he was still part of a singing duo a la Seals and Croft. I was Impressed by him then but I barely remember his partner. I often wonder what happened to him. I have an amusing story about that date that I'll have to relate when I have more time.

I was wondering how your first album of his could be from 1976, when you said you were a fan of his as a kid. Of course, not for me to judge how old you were before you no longer considered yourself a kid.

[Joe Carter]

I seem to remember that Kenny was a musical regular on a TV show for awhile, sort of like John Hartford being on the Smothers Brothers show. At the time, I wondered why he didn't become more of a mainstream artist. Does anyone remember the show? He might have been one of those summer replacement series when networks did that sort of thing.

[Jimmy Cantiello]

Originally Posted by groover

I was wondering how your first album of his could be from 1976, when you said you were a fan of his as a kid. Of course, not for me to judge how old you were before you no longer considered yourself a kid.

Yeah, calling myself a kid at 27 years old is a stretch. But since I recently turned 60 (still can't believe it) I feel like a 40 year old is a kid in comparison.

[clinthopson]

I always enjoyed his work.

He was a damned fine singer.