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{{short description|American singer and songwriter}}
{{Refimprove|date=June 2009}}

⚫
{{Infobox musical artist
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2020}}
| name = Kenny Rankin

| image =
⚫
{{Infobox musical artist
| caption =
| image_size = 250
| name = Kenny Rankin
| landscape = yes
| image = Kenny Rankin nonfree.jpg
| background = solo_singer
| background = solo_singer
| caption = Rankin performing at [[The Bottom Line (venue) |The Bottom Line]] club in [[Greenwich Village]] in New York City in 1976, photographer [[Richard E. Aaron]]
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|2|10|mf=y}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1940|2|10|mf=y}}
| birth_place = [[New York City]], New York, United States
| birth_place = [[Manhattan, New York City]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|6|7|1940|2|10|mf=y}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|6|7|1940|2|10|mf=y}}
| death_place = [[Los Angeles]], California, United States
| death_place = [[Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
⚫
| years_active = 1967–2009
| genre = [[Jazz]], [[rock music|rock]], [[folk music|folk]]<ref name=sweeting/>
| genre = Jazz, pop, rock,<ref name="Erlewine">{{cite web |last1=Erlewine |first1=Stephen Thomas |title=Kenny Rankin |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/kenny-rankin-mn0000767496/biography |website=AllMusic |access-date=October 7, 2018}}</ref> [[folk music|folk]]<ref name=sweeting/>
| occupation = [[Musician]], [[songwriter]]
| instrument = [[Guitar]]
| occupation = Musician, songwriter
| instrument = Vocals, guitar, piano
| label = [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], [[Little David Records|Little David]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Cypress Records|Cypress]], [[Private Music]], [[Chesky Records|Chesky]], [[Verve Records|Verve]]
| label = [[Mercury Records|Mercury]], [[Little David Records|Little David]], [[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], [[Cypress Records|Cypress]], [[Private Music]], [[Chesky Records|Chesky]], [[Verve Records|Verve]]
| associated_acts =
⚫
| years_active =
}}
}}

'''Kenny Rankin''' (February 10, 1940 – June 7, 2009) was an [[United States|American]] pop and jazz singer and songwriter from the [[Washington Heights, Manhattan|Washington Heights]] neighborhood of [[New York City]].
'''Kenneth Joseph Rankin''' (February 10, 1940 – June 7, 2009) was an American singer and songwriter in the [[folk rock]] and singer-songwriter genres; he was influenced by [[jazz]]. Rankin often sang notes which were in a high range to express emotion.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Rankin was born in [[Manhattan|Manhattan, New York City]]. 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.
Rankin was raised in New York, and was introduced to music by his mother, who sang at home and for friends. Early in his career he worked as a singer-songwriter, and developed a considerable following during the 70s with a steady flow of albums, three of which broke into the Top 100 of the Billboard Album Chart. His liking for jazz was evident from an early age, but the times were such that in order to survive his career had to take a more pop-oriented course. By the 90s, however, he was able to angle his repertoire to accommodate his own musical preferences and to please a new audience while still keeping faith with the faithful. Rankin's warm singing style and his soft, nylon-stringed guitar sound might suggest an artist more attuned to the supper-club circuit than the jazz arena, but his work contains many touches that appeal to the jazz audience.


Rankin appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'' more than twenty times. Host [[Johnny Carson]] was so impressed by him that he wrote the liner notes to Rankin's 1967 debut album ''Mind Dusters,'' which featured the single "[[Peaceful (song)|Peaceful]]." Rankin would record the song again for 1972's ''Like A Seed,'' while [[Helen Reddy]] would reach #2 Adult Contemporary and #12 Pop in 1973 with a cover of the song, released as her follow-up single to "I Am Woman". [[Georgie Fame]] also had a hit with this song in 1969, Rankin's only songwriting credit to hit the British charts, reaching number sixteen and spending nine weeks on the chart.
Three of Rankin's albums entered the ''Billboard'' magazine [[Billboard 200|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.<ref name="Yanow">{{cite book |last1=Yanow |first1=Scott |title=The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide |date=2008 |publisher=Backbeat |isbn=978-0-87930-825-4 |page=179}}</ref> He appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'' more than twenty times.<ref name="Yanow" /> Late night TV host [[Johnny Carson]] wrote the liner notes to Rankin's 1967 debut album, ''Mind Dusters'', which included the single "[[Peaceful (song)|Peaceful]]." [[Georgie Fame]] had had a UK hit with the song in 1969. This was Rankin's only songwriting credit which made the [[UK Singles Chart|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]] 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.


Rankin's accompanists from time to time included Alan Broadbent, Mike Wofford and Bill Watrous, and on such occasions the mood slips easily into a jazz groove. His compositions have been performed by artists such as [[Mel Tormé]] and [[Carmen McRae]], while [[Stan Getz]] said of him that he was "a horn with a heartbeat". Rankin was deeply interested in Brazilian music and his ''Here In My Heart,'' on which he used jazz guests including [[Michael Brecker]] and [[Ernie Watts]], was recorded mostly in Rio de Janeiro. More contemporary songs were given an airing following his move to [[Verve Records]], including the Beatles' "I've Just Seen a Face" and [[Leon Russell]]'s "A Song for You."<ref name=sweeting>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/10/kenny-rankin-obituary|title=Kenny Rankin - American singer/songwriter - Obituary|first=Adam|last=Sweeting|date=10 September 2009|website=the Guardian|accessdate=17 July 2018}}</ref>
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]], and [[Carmen McRae]]. [[Stan Getz]] said his voice was like "a horn with a heartbeat".<ref name="sweeting" /> Reflecting his interest in [[Music of Brazil|Brazilian music]] Rankin recorded the album ''Here in My Heart'' in [[Rio de Janeiro]] with jazz musicians [[Michael Brecker]] and [[Ernie Watts]]. Rankin returned to performing and recording more contemporary songs after signing with [[Verve Records]], including "A Song for You" by [[Leon Russell]] and "[[I've Just Seen a Face]]" by [[the Beatles]].<ref name="sweeting">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2009/sep/10/kenny-rankin-obituary|title=Kenny Rankin – American singer/songwriter – Obituary |first=Adam |last=Sweeting |date=September 10, 2009 |website=The Guardian |access-date=July 17, 2018}}</ref> After recording the Beatles' song "[[Blackbird (Beatles song)|Blackbird]]" for his album ''Silver Morning'', he was asked by [[Paul McCartney]] to perform it when McCartney and [[John Lennon]] were inducted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]].<ref name="sweeting" />


⚫
Rankin befriended comedian [[George Carlin]]; 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.<ref name="Jet">{{Cite book |title=Last Words |last=Carlin |first=George |author2=Tony Hendra |author2-link=Tony Hendra |year=2009 |publisher=[[Free Press (publisher)|Free Press]] |isbn=978-1-4391-7295-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/lastwords0000carl/page/151 151] |url=https://archive.org/details/lastwords0000carl |url-access=registration }}</ref> Rankin sang at Carlin's memorial service in June 2008.
Rankin's rendition of the Beatles' "[[Blackbird (Beatles song)|Blackbird]]", which he recorded for his ''Silver Morning'' album, so impressed Paul McCartney that he asked Rankin to perform it when McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the [[Songwriters Hall of Fame]].<ref name=sweeting/> His cover of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was chosen by George Harrison's family for his memorial service.{{citation needed|date=September 2015}}


== Personal life and death ==
⚫
Rankin befriended comedian [[George Carlin]]; both were signed to the [[Little David Records]] label. Rankin was often the opening act or musical guest for Carlin's live performances beginning in 1972. The two flew in Carlin's private jet. Though Rankin had kicked his drug habit at [[Phoenix House]], touring with Carlin brought him back to using cocaine.<ref name=Jet>{{Cite book |title=Last Words |last=Carlin |first=George |author2=[[Tony Hendra]] |year=2009 |publisher=[[Free Press (publisher)|Free Press]] |isbn=978-1-4391-7295-7 |page=151 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AEZ42cO2QboC&pg=PT151}}</ref> Rankin and Carlin toured together off and on for nearly 10 years. Rankin sang at Carlin's memorial service in June 2008.
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.<ref name="sweeting" />


==Selected discography==
He can be heard singing the song "Miles From Here" in the first episode of the television series Fame titled "Metamorphosis", and "Deep in the Dark" in the [[Stingray (NBC TV series)|Stingray]] episode "Autumn".
===Albums===
{{div col}}
⚫
* ''Mind-Dusters'' ([[Mercury Records|Mercury]], 1967)
⚫
* ''Family'' (Mercury, 1969)
⚫
* ''Like a Seed'' ([[Little David Records|Little David]], 1972)
⚫
* ''Silver Morning'' (Little David, 1974)
⚫
* ''Inside'' (Little David, 1975)
⚫
* ''The Kenny Rankin Album'' (Little David, 1977)
⚫
* ''After the Roses'' ([[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], 1980)
⚫
* ''Hiding in Myself'' (Cypress, 1988)
⚫
* ''Because of You'' ([[Chesky Records|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 Records|Verve]], 2002)
{{div col end}}


===As guest===
Rankin died of lung cancer on June 7, 2009, three weeks after he was diagnosed with the illness. Writing in ''[[The Guardian]]'', after Rankin's death, Adam Sweeting quoted Denny Stilwell, President of [[Mack Avenue Records]], as saying: "At the time of his death he had been preparing new material for recording. "His voice was still in its finest form... He sounded absolutely amazing."<ref name=sweeting/>
'''With [[Benny Carter]]'''
* ''[[Benny Carter Songbook]]'' (MusicMasters, 1996)
* ''[[Benny Carter Songbook Volume II]]'' (MusicMasters, 1997)


[[Art Garfunkel]]'s album ''Lefty,'' duet on "I Wonder Why" 1988
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
⚫
* ''Mind-Dusters'', ([[Mercury Records|Mercury]], 1967)
⚫
* ''Family'', (Mercury, 1970)
⚫
* ''Like a Seed'', ([[Little David Records|Little David]], 1972)
⚫
* ''Silver Morning'', (Little David, 1974)
⚫
* ''Inside'', (Little David, 1975)
⚫
* ''The Kenny Rankin Album'', (Little David, 1976)
⚫
* ''After the Roses'', ([[Atlantic Records|Atlantic]], 1980)
⚫
* ''Hiding in Myself'', ([[Cypress Records|Cypress]], 1988)
⚫
* ''Because of You'', ([[Chesky Records|Chesky]], 1991)
⚫
* ''Professional Dreamer'', ([[Private Music]], 1994)
⚫
* ''Here in My Heart'', (Private Music, 1997)
⚫
* ''A Christmas Album'' (1999)
⚫
* ''A Song for You'', ([[Verve Records|Verve]], 2002)
* ''Like a Seed'', (Rankin, 2007)
⚫
* ''The Bottom Line Archive Series'', ([[bottomlinearchive.com|Bottom Line]], 2015)


[[Michael Franks (musician)|Michael Franks]]' album ''Passion Fruit,'' background vocals on "Sunday Morning Here With You" 1983
===Compilations===
*''Peaceful: The Best of Kenny Rankin'' (1996)


==References==
==References==

{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19991127184831/http://kennyrankin.com/ Official Website]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/19991127184831/http://kennyrankin.com/ Official website]
*{{IMDb name|id=0710269|name=Kenny Rankin}}
*{{discogs artist|artist=319880-Kenny-Rankin|Kenny Rankin}}
*{{IBDB name}}
*{{IMDb name|0710269}}
*{{IBDB name|457201}}
*[http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-kenny-rankin9-2009jun09,0,5347669.story LA Times Obituary]
*[http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-kenny-rankin9-2009jun09,0,5347669.story LA Times obituary]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20181129013025/https://assets.rbl.ms/11897020/980x.jpg Kenny Rankin on album cover with his daughters](Wayback)
*[http://canacopegdl.com/keyword/kenny-rankin.html Early and past music covers]


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:1940 births]]
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[[Category:People from Washington Heights, Manhattan]]
[[Category:20th-century American male musicians]]
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[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
[[Category:American jazz singers]]
[[Category:American jazz singers]]
[[Category:American jazz songwriters]]
[[Category:American jazz songwriters]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
[[Category:American male songwriters]]
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[[Category:Songwriters from New York (state)]]
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[[Category:Deaths from cancer in California]]
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[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer]]
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[[Category:20th-century American singers]]
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[[Category:Private Music artists]]
[[Category:Chesky Records artists]]
[[Category:Chesky Records artists]]
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[[Category:Deaths from lung cancer in California]]
[[Category:Jazz musicians from New York (state)]]
[[Category:American male jazz musicians]]
[[Category:Musicians from Manhattan]]
[[Category:People from Washington Heights, Manhattan]]
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[[Category:Private Music artists]]
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[[Category:Singers from New York City]]
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[[Category:Songwriters from New York (state)]]
[[Category:20th-century American songwriters]]

Latest revision as of 03:07, 17 December 2024

Kenny Rankin
Rankin performing at The Bottom Line club in Greenwich Village in New York City in 1976, photographer Richard E. Aaron
Rankin performing at The Bottom Line club in Greenwich Village in New York City in 1976, photographer Richard E. Aaron
Background information
Born(1940-02-10)February 10, 1940
Manhattan, New York City, U.S.
DiedJune 7, 2009(2009-06-07) (aged 69)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresJazz, pop, rock,[1] folk[2]
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, piano
Years active1967–2009
LabelsMercury, Little David, Atlantic, Cypress, Private Music, Chesky, Verve

Kenneth Joseph Rankin (February 10, 1940 – June 7, 2009) was an American singer and songwriter in the folk rock and singer-songwriter genres; he was influenced by jazz. Rankin often sang notes which were in a high range to express emotion.

Biography

[edit]

Rankin was born in Manhattan, New York City. 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.[3] He appeared on The Tonight Show more than twenty times.[3] Late night TV host Johnny Carson 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 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, and Carmen McRae. Stan Getz said his voice was like "a horn with a heartbeat".[2] Reflecting his interest in Brazilian music Rankin recorded the album Here in My Heart in Rio de Janeiro with jazz musicians Michael Brecker and Ernie Watts. Rankin returned to performing and recording more contemporary songs after signing with Verve Records, including "A Song for You" by Leon Russell and "I've Just Seen a Face" by the Beatles.[2] After recording the Beatles' song "Blackbird" for his album Silver Morning, he was asked by Paul McCartney to perform it when McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.[2]

Rankin befriended comedian George Carlin; 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.[4] Rankin sang at Carlin's memorial service in June 2008.

Personal life and death

[edit]

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.[2]

Selected discography

[edit]

Albums

[edit]
  • 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, 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

[edit]

With Benny Carter

Art Garfunkel's album Lefty, duet on "I Wonder Why" 1988

Michael Franks' album Passion Fruit, background vocals on "Sunday Morning Here With You" 1983

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "Kenny Rankin". AllMusic. Retrieved October 7, 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e Sweeting, Adam (September 10, 2009). "Kenny Rankin – American singer/songwriter – Obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  3. ^ a b Yanow, Scott (2008). The Jazz Singers: The Ultimate Guide. Backbeat. p. 179. ISBN 978-0-87930-825-4.
  4. ^ Carlin, George; Tony Hendra (2009). Last Words. Free Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-1-4391-7295-7.
[edit]
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