THE pop world was rocked when American superstar, Gene Pitney died suddenly while he was touring the United Kingdom.

Hours after stepping off stage to a standing ovation, Pitney, who soared to fame with Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa, was found dead in his Cardiff Hotel room.

He was 66. He had a string of hits in the sixties and enjoyed a 1989 revival with his chart topping duet, Something’s Gotten Hold of My Heart with Marc Almond.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the American star’s death, his music is still being kept alive by Tommy Carey who has become known as Ireland’s Gene Pitney.

Now Tommy, who was the Emerald Isle’s number one cabaret performer during the 60s and 70s, is setting off on his first UK tour of Twenty Four Hours From Tulsa Remembering Gene Pitney.

It stops off at Eastleigh’s Concorde Club on September 10.

It must have been the ultimate accolade when Pitney congratulated Tommy on his life like impersonation of him.

Tommy said: “He gave me a signed autograph which is one of my treasured possessions. He wrote: ‘To Tommy keep singing those songs, but not too good I hope’.”

Ahead of his UK tour with his big band and singers, Tommy spoke to Duncan Eaton from his home in Ireland.

Q: You started touring your Gene Pitney shows in the 70s/80s. Is it true to say you were one of the pioneers of tribute shows?

A: At that time the only tribute shows were Gene Pitney and Neil Diamond. So yes I would have been one of the first in Ireland.

Q: This is the first tour of Remembering Gene UK. What format does the show take and how many Pitney songs do you sing?

A: We have a narrative going through the show telling Gene’s life in the music scene.

We perform 27 songs from his very first recording through all of his hits.

Q: How did you become hooked on Gene Pitney’s music?

A: A lot of people remarked how similar my voice was to Gene Pitney so I checked him out and I was knocked out by what I heard. I learned the words of 24 Hours from Tulsa and it all started from there. I became known as Ireland’s Gene Pitney.

Q: What do think made Gene Pitney such a successful singer?

A: He had an amazing voice and when he sang it was not a song it was a story. He touched so many people, and made them feel so many different emotions.

Q: What is your favourite Pitney song?

A: The favourite song from an audience point of view would be Backstage, and for me it would have to be I’m Gonna Be Strong.

Q: How many records of his have you got in your collection?

A: I have almost every album Gene ever made and believe me that is a lot of songs.

Q: Gene died in Cardiff during his UK tour in 2006. Do you remember when you first heard the sad news and what your reaction was?

A: I was at home when one of my friends phoned to tell me that Gene had been found dead in his hotel room. I could not believe it.

I was in shock. Then when I turned on the news there it was, the great man and my idol Gene Pitney was gone.

Twenty Hours From Tulsa Remembering Gene Pitney on September 10 at The Concorde, Eastleigh. Call 02380 613989.

DUNCAN EATON