In Memory of My Friend, Kenny Rankin

Kenny Rankin died on June 7th. He was 69 years old and died of lung cancer in Los Angeles, where he lived.

I first started listening to Kenny's music when I was in college in 1976. His vocal range, from a falsetto to rich, bluesy tenor was remarkable. I had the good luck to run into him at LA airport a few years back and tell him how much his music meant to me. He offered to perform at any charitable event I might be affiliated with, schedule permitting. Last year, Kenny made good on that promise and did a show at the Stephen Talkhouse on Long Island to benefit the East Hampton Daycare Center.

Kenny played the hell out of the guitar and put on a wonderful show for the relatively small crowd. He never mentioned that he was sick.

When the Beatles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Paul McCartney asked Kenny to accept the award on the group's behalf. Rankin had recorded beautiful and lilting versions of a number of Beatles' songs. Kenny wrote for Peggy Lee, Mel Torme and Helen Reddy in the 60's and 70's. He played guitar on Dylan's "Bringing It All Back Hom e" album in 1965.

Kenny Rankin, the self-described "jazz singer," a great guitarist and vocalist, died last Sunday. Rest in peace, Kenny.

Comments

[traycee jay]

Been meaning to thank Alec Baldwin for this post. Amid all of the loss in the entertainment industry this month, the loss of Kenny Rankin got little mention. It's a shame because it shows that too many people are not familiar with the gift of music that Kenny Rankin gave to us and they don't realize the treasure that has been lost because this masterful musician with the wondrously clear voice and singular musical soul, sadly, is gone from us. So it's cool that Alec Baldwin put it out there. Thank you.

[auntiecairo]

Thanks for your post Alec - we must be the same age -- I too discovered Kenny in '76 when I was in college -- my Dad, who was a jazz guitarist - was very hard to impress and he thought Kenny was one of the best. I feel the same as I did when Dan Fogelberg passed away -- like a little piece of my heart went with them. . RIP Kenny -

[Hawaii4Obama]

I am still in a state of semi-shock, somehow refusing to believe that Kenny is gone. I have read so many posts on so many sites about the way that his music has touched all of us. He was a well-kept secret to his faithful fans, whose voice was always so fresh and beautiful no matter how many years had passed between concerts.

First time i heard him was when I was a student at USC in the 70's and like most, was hooked. His music was a touchstone for me, always playing in the background as I became a physician and as I zigzagged across the US for internship and residency, I was always lucky to find a venue to hear that unmistakable voice in concert. I felt fortunate to speak to him and thank him for his music before a concert at the Boston Court a few years later as he mingled with the crowd. I last saw him for a Valentine's Day concert last year in HI and briefly thanked him again as a long line of us had him autograph some CD's. I missed the repeat performance this Feb (big regret now). I cannot find the email he sent thanking ME for thanking HIM for his music (!).

His death leaves a void in the lives of the fans who adored him and his unforgettable magical mastery of music.

RIP, dear Kenny. Love you and miss you.

[ringjim]

Thanks for the reflection on Kenny, Alec. As with others who were touched by his amazing talent, he was & will always be, my favorite artist.

I learned of him in the 70's on a Jerry Lewis Telethon, of all things. I remember being enthralled by Kenny's music and being equally angry at Peter Falk who ceremoniously walked in front of Kenny while was singing and started hawking for donations! That wasy well over 35 years ago but that was my introduction to Kenny! I'd see him many times over the years, usually at small group concerts; which was his preferred venue.

The last time I saw him was several years ago in Sacramento at Buck Busfields B-Street Theater. He and Buck were friends and I was so pleased that Buck got him to perform there. Good memories surround the thoughts of him and he will always be a part of my life. My son is also named after him.

[MindyM]

To Alec Baldwin -

Thanks so much for your tribute to Kenny Rankin. When I heard about his death, I stayed up until the wee hours of the morning listening to his music. Once more I was transported back to my youth. My ex-husband and I fell in love to Kenny's music and were fortunate enough to see him perform live on Long Island, N.Y. In those days there were a lot of small clubs where you could see great up and coming singer-songwriters like Kenny Rankin and James Taylor.

Kenny was blessed with a truly gorgeous God given instrument. He had an astounding vocal range and his phrasing was impeccable. He was brilliant at rearranging iconic songs and giving them his own original stamp and unique interpretation. He managed to rework some of the Beatles greatest music and that takes great talent.

Kenny will be missed, but what a legacy of beautiful, timeless music he has left us. We were so lucky to have him on this earth to bless up with his incomparable voice.

[robinkilgore]

What a great loss. I was onboard as a fan from the time he released the amazing "Mind Dusters" album in the 70's. Impossible to find..but, well worth having. I hope some enterprising company releases it on CD at some point. I followed his career, his ups and downs, both personally and publicly and never lost sight of the fact that he was a genius at song interpretation. I will always treasure and continue to listen to his recordings....your music lives on, Kenny...and you will not be forgotten.
With Love and Light,
As Ever,
Robin

[SILVANUS]

How many times I have played his luscious versions of "When Sunny Gets Blue" and "A House of Gold".

Oh, what a frigging loss.

[SethBLiNK]

Like so many I hear, I hadn't heard about his death until reading this post. Such a beautiful voice and way with a song. Discovered him in college with The Kenny Rankin Album. Wonderful covers on that, my favorites being Here's That Rainy Day, When Sunny Gets Blue, and On and On. A songwriter had to consider himself blessed if Kenny Rankin interpretted one of his songs. RIP.

[KayrenD]

Any chance of compiling a CD set of Kenny's best-loved and most popular tunes? "Silver Morning" seems to have been out of print for quite a while. Coincidentally and ironically enough, about a week agoI recommended Kenny to a fellow musician who wanted to learn jazz guitar, and I found mysel re-acquainting myself with Kenny's music and YouTube performances. I managed to order a DVD of Kenny's BET/Jazz Channel show from 2001, and I saw it on Monday evening (June 8th). It was wonderful and memorable, but when I woke up to my radio/alarm on Tuesday morning, I heard on NPR news that Kenny had died on Sunday, the 7th. I was shocked beyond belief and thought sure that I was dreaming! But--no--it was only too true. The "Best of Kenny Rankin" CD that I also ordered arrived today, and I have been alternating tears of mourning with tears of joy, listening to that unique voice and guitar style. Surely, there must be some way to honor this gentle soul, this musician-b­eyond-comp­are. I am certain that the world in general has no idea of the amazing artist we have lost. He has enriched my life more than I can ever say!

[raker]

About twenty years ago I picked up Art Garfunkel's "Lefty" album and found a duet with Kenny Rankin called I Wonder Why. What a great surprise, and what a nice song. The only Kenny Rankin albums I don't have and have never heard are Mind-Dusters and Family. I hope they're released on CD one day.

[coop09]

I loved his languid voice, and one of my favorite songs was Blackbird. Just loved it. They don't make them like Kenny Rankin anymore. May he rest in peace.

[cinnamonlady]

I saw Kenny in concert in the 70s and have always loved his "Marie." This afternoon, the Fordham station had a tribute to Kenny and other great artists who have passed. Listening to his gorgeous music, along with Dan Fogelberg's, just melted my heart. Such extraordinary musicians never die.

[anghiari]

Thanks Alec....he was a favorite of mine, forgotten of late....but he does the same thing for me that James Taylor does. Both have absolutely beautiful voices...go to www.pandora.com ...and create your own Kenny Rankin radio to listen to...just heard an old favorites...Pardon me," Haven't We Met" and "When Sunny Gets Blue"

God bless you Kenny, and I know heavenly sounds will abound!...Tell Jay Telfer, I said to introduce himself to you. He's a wonderful musician too!

[Carolab]

I absolutely loved Kenny Rankin.

[joefazio]

For Kenney**********


WEEP NOT FOR ME**********


Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for**********
my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain.**********
..on the other side of darkness. **********­**********

Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, *********
a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart *********
and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.*****­**********­***

I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need,********
I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, ********
your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs. *****************

Do not weep for me, for I am cradled in the arms of God.*********
I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars. *****************

Do not weep for me, for I am within you; **********
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers*********
. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns ********
leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white ********
snow that softly falls upon your hand. ******************

Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, *********
as long as you remember me... ********
with a smile and a sigh.********

[Lucious]

I was envious of Kenny. I wanted that beautiful singing voice that he employed with such fine dimensions. He could deliver melodic flavoring as mellow as an eighteen year old single malt Scotch. Many years ago I would comb the two dollar racks of LP's that no one wanted. In one day I found one called "Closing Time" by Tom Waits, and "Silver Morning" by Kenny Rankin. When I got home and played those for the first time I felt had won a lottery. I never knew Kenny but I miss him terribly.