Kenneth Joseph Rankin (February 10, 1940 – June 7, 2009) was an American singer and songwriter in the

folk rock Folk rock is a fusion genre of rock music with heavy influences from pop, English and American folk music. It arose in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom in the mid-1960s. In the U.S., folk rock emerged from the folk music re ...

and singer-songwriter genres; he was influenced by

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its roots are in blues, ragtime, European harmony, African rhythmic rituals, spirituals, h ...

. Rankin often sang notes which were in a high range to express emotion.

Biography

Rankin was born in

Manhattan, New York City Manhattan ( ) is the most densely populated and geographically smallest of the five boroughs of New York City. Coextensive with New York County, Manhattan is the smallest county by area in the U.S. state of New York. Located almost entire ...

. He was introduced to music by his mother, who sang at home and for friends. Early in his career he worked as a singer-songwriter. Three of Rankin's albums entered the ''Billboard'' magazine Album Chart. Most of his career was in pop music. He was a guitarist on the album '' Bringing It All Back Home'' by Bob Dylan. He appeared on '' The Tonight Show'' more than twenty times. Late night TV host

Johnny Carson John William Carson (October 23, 1925 – January 23, 2005) was an American television host, comedian, and writer best known as the host of NBC's ''The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson'' (1962–1992). Carson is a cultural phenomenon and w ...

wrote the liner notes to Rankin's 1967 debut album, ''Mind Dusters'', which included the single " Peaceful." Georgie Fame had had a UK hit with the song in 1969. This was Rankin's only songwriting credit which made the British charts; it reached No. 16 and was on the chart for nine weeks. He re-recorded the song for his album ''Like a Seed'' (1972).

Helen Reddy Helen Maxine Reddy (25 October 194129 September 2020) was an Australian-American singer, actress, television host, and activist. Born in Melbourne to a show business family, Reddy started her career as an entertainer at age four. She sang on ra ...

covered "Peaceful" in 1973; it reached No. 2 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and No. 12 on the pop charts in both the US and Canada. When Rankin worked with Alan Broadbent, Mike Wofford, and Bill Watrous, his music became more like jazz. His songs were performed by Peggy Lee,

Mel Tormé Melvin Howard Tormé (September 13, 1925 – June 5, 1999), nicknamed "the Velvet Fog", was an American musician, singer, composer, arrangement, arranger, drummer, actor, and author. He composed the music for "The Christmas Song" ("Chestnuts Roa ...

, and Carmen McRae. Stan Getz said his voice was like "a horn with a heartbeat". Reflecting his interest in Brazilian music Rankin recorded the album ''Here in My Heart'' in

Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...

with jazz musicians Michael Brecker and Ernie Watts. Rankin returned to performing and recording more contemporary songs after signing with

Verve Records Verve Records is an active American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Founded in 1956 by Norman Granz, the label is home to the world's largest jazz catalogue, which includes recordings by artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Ca ...

, including "A Song for You" by Leon Russell and " I've Just Seen a Face" by

the Beatles The Beatles were an English Rock music, rock band formed in Liverpool in 1960. The core lineup of the band comprised John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr. They are widely regarded as the Cultural impact of the Beatle ...

. After recording the Beatles' song " Blackbird" for his album ''Silver Morning'', he was asked by

Paul McCartney Sir James Paul McCartney (born 18 June 1942) is an English singer, songwriter and musician who gained global fame with the Beatles, for whom he played bass guitar and the piano, and shared primary songwriting and lead vocal duties with John ...

to perform it when McCartney and

John Lennon John Winston Ono Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 19408 December 1980) was an English singer-songwriter, musician and activist. He gained global fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon's ...

were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Rankin befriended comedian

George Carlin George Denis Patrick Carlin (May 12, 1937 – June 22, 2008) was an American stand-up comedian, social critic, actor and author. Regarded as one of the greatest and most influential comedians of all time, he was dubbed "the dean of countercultur ...

; both were signed to Little David Records. Beginning in 1972 Rankin was often the opening act or musical guest for Carlin's live performances. The two flew in Carlin's private jet and toured together intermittently for nearly ten years. Although Rankin had overcome his drug habit at Phoenix House, he returned to using cocaine while on tour with Carlin. Rankin sang at Carlin's memorial service in June 2008.

Personal life and death

He was married to Yvonne Rodriguez-Calderone. He died of lung cancer on June 7, 2009, three weeks after he was diagnosed with the illness.

Selected discography

Albums

* ''Mind-Dusters'' ( Mercury, 1967) * ''Family'' (Mercury, 1969) * ''Like a Seed'' ( Little David, 1972) * ''Silver Morning'' (Little David, 1974) * ''Inside'' (Little David, 1975) * ''The Kenny Rankin Album'' (Little David, 1977) * ''After the Roses'' (

Atlantic The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest of the world's five oceanic divisions, with an area of about . It covers approximately 17% of Earth's surface and about 24% of its water surface area. During the Age of Discovery, it was known for se ...

, 1980) * ''Hiding in Myself'' (Cypress, 1988) * ''Because of You'' ( Chesky, 1991) * ''Professional Dreamer'' ( Private Music, 1995) * ''Here in My Heart'' (Private Music, 1997) * ''The Bottom Line Encore Collection'' (The Bottom Line, 1999) * ''A Christmas Album'' (Rankin Music, 1999) * ''Haven't We Met?'' (Image Entertainment, 2001) * ''A Song for You'' ( Verve, 2002)

As guest

With Benny Carter * '' Benny Carter Songbook'' (MusicMasters, 1996) * '' Benny Carter Songbook Volume II'' (MusicMasters, 1997)

Art Garfunkel Arthur Ira Garfunkel (born November 5, 1941) is an American singer, actor and poet who is best known for his partnership with Paul Simon in the folk rock duo Simon & Garfunkel. Born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York, Garfunkel became acquainte ...

's album ''Lefty,'' duet on "I Wonder Why" 1988 Michael Franks' album ''Passion Fruit,'' background vocals on "Sunday Morning Here With You" 1983

References

External links

Official website
* * *
LA Times obituaryKenny Rankin on album cover with his daughters
Wayback)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Rankin, Kenny 1940 births 2009 deaths 20th-century American male musicians 20th-century American singers American jazz singers American jazz songwriters American male songwriters Chesky Records artists Deaths from lung cancer in California Jazz musicians from New York (state) American male jazz musicians Musicians from Manhattan People from Washington Heights, Manhattan Private Music artists Singers from New York City Songwriters from New York (state) 20th-century American songwriters