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

[digvideo]

He did "Blackbird" better than McCartney

[huffyISaHottie]

oh my god..how sad...i loved kenny rankin...i first saw him in the Carson show years ago...i went out and bought a couple of his tapes...on­e particular song i liked was " ninety nine miles to LA" ...kenny never did get the national recognition he deserved..­.what a nice jazzy / blues sound he had...RIP Kenny

[ConjureMan]

I too will miss him. No on could come close to his version of the Rascals, "Groovin"(on a Sunday Afternoon)­.Biggest problem, we did not hear enough of him. I am putting his CD's on now.

[Tiberon]

I'll never forget the first time I heard Rankin's version of "Blackbird".

"Beautiful and lilting". Exactly

[progressivegreg]

I also hope he's "Peaceful" one of my favorite Kenny Rankin songs. I loved his gentle songs, many years ago he was the opening act for George Carlin at a Grand Rapids area college. I went to see Carlin, but came away remembering Kenny. My sympathy, I'm sorry his voice is silenced.

[orbro]

Wow, I hadn't heard. He certainly was a constant bright light in the L.A. jazz scene. I'll miss him also.

[TJCole]

I saw Kenny several times he was incredible sang like a bell one of the best, up there with Tim Buckley or Fred Neil as a master of vocal and guitar accompanim­ent...

Sorry to hear of his passing and your loss as well Alec...

[Dolphin]

It is always sad when a friend is no longer with us.

This is a good way to get the burden of your chest and also to let other people know what has happened.

Nicely put words of memory, Alec.

[David Wild - Huffpost Blogger]

Thanks for beautiful salute to an undervalued musician who brought a big touch of class to music right when it really needed it. Here's hoping he's "Peaceful" in a better place.