The Subject: I just found out about his passing At 21:17:40 on 07/19/09, Ken Morey (moreykk@yahoo.com) wrote:
I just found out tonight about Kenny's passing. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans ! I'm still a little in shock. No other singer (and believe me, I have listened to a lot of them over the past 50+ years) caught my attention as did Kenny. I remember the first time I heard "In The Name Of Love"....my jaw dropped...I ran out...bought the album....wore it out...bought another! He's the only singer I can think of....who could cover a Beatle song and make it his own ! Not to mention what he could do with the standards.....and My God....what a gift "Silver Morning" was !
I've been a live music addict for half a century now....one of my fondest memories of them all... was seeing Kenny Rankin in a small club in Orlando,Florida in the early 80's.. on my birthday. Our seats were close enough to the stage I could talk to him, and I did ! I let him know that it was my Birthday and all I wanted for a present was to hear..."In The Name Of Love". I was getting a little anxious as I knew the concert was coming to and end soon. He smiled back at me...wished me a Happy Birthday...and I think he said..."Don't worry, it's my favorite too. He closed with it. I led the standing ovation . I believe I have all the vinyl he ever recorded (I'm still in the process of replacing them all on CD).
Kenny's voice and his music were like an old comfortable piece of furniture in my home. He was a CLASS ACT like no other. I will miss him terribly !. The world was a much better place with him in it.
This is going to sound pretty selfish; but, for years, I lived with the hope of seeing him perform again (actually, I wanted to share a Kenny Rankin concert with my wife. I have been telling her about him for years - she's from Argentina and never heard him except for what I played for her).
Sooooo.....the man with the voice of an angel is now withthe angels !
God Bless you, Kenny....Thank you sooo much for all that beautiful music !
I love you and miss you !
