Big Twenty – All The UK Top 40 Hits 1961-73

Here are all 20 of Gene Pitney's UK Top 40 entries, as originally released on London, HMV, United Artists, Stateside and Pye International 45s from 1961-73. The extensive booklet features comprehensive notes and is positively bursting with rare pictures and memorabilia. Gene Pitney was the ultimate Brill Building pop star. Unlike his rival Neil Sedaka, whose American fan-base deserted him in the second half of the 1960s, he maintained a chart presence throughout the whole decade. In Britain, where Gene was a frequent visitor, the hits continued through to the 1970s, and even beyond. Book-ending this collection are 1961's self-penned
I Wanna Love My Life Away and
Twenty Four Sycamore from the UK charts of 1973, but never a USA 45. Likewise,
Somewhere In The Country,
Yours Until Tomorrow and
Maria Elena, not to mention
Nobody Needs Your Love, one of his best-known numbers, were all British hits, yet not one of them was released as a single in the USA. Go figure. Also features
(I Wanna) Love My Life Away,
Town Without Pity,
24 Hours From Tulsa,
It Hurts To Be In Love,
Princess In Rags,
Just One Smile and others.