Summary
"Gone" is a 1957 single by Ferlin Husky written by Smokey Rogers. The song was Ferlin Husky's second No. 1 on the country chart, where it stayed at the top for ten weeks with a total of 27 weeks on the charts. The vocal backing on the song was provided by the Jordanaires with soprano Millie Kirkham.[1] "Gone" also crossed over to the Hot 100 peaking at No. 4.[2] Selling over one million copies, 'Gone" was awarded a gold disc.[3]
| "Gone" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Ferlin Husky | ||||
| from the album Gone | ||||
| B-side | "Missing Persons" | |||
| Released | January 1957 | |||
| Recorded | November 7, 1956 | |||
| Studio | Quonset Hut, Nashville | |||
| Genre | Country | |||
| Length | 2:21 | |||
| Label | Capitol | |||
| Songwriter(s) | Smokey Rogers | |||
| Ferlin Husky singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Recorded in Nashville at Bradley's Quonset Hut Studio, the recording is widely regarded as the first example of the Nashville Sound production approach.[4] The use of echo and sparse instrumental support combined with the talented background singers heightened the drama of Husky's distinctive vocal.[5][6]
Prior to recording this hit, Husky appeared regularly at the Grand Ole Opry. "Gone" propelled him to network television appearances first on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts then a spot as guest host on the Kraft Television Theater, The Ed Sullivan Show, and eventually talk shows hosted by Steve Allen, Johnny Carson, and Merv Griffin. Husky had to give up his Opry slot, but TV exposure introduced him to millions of viewers.
Husky had previously recorded "Gone" for an earlier release on Capitol as Terry Preston.
Cover versions edit
- In 1972, Joey Heatherton peaked at #24 on the US Hot 100 and #25 in Canada with her version of the song.[7] It also peaked at number 38 in Australia.[8]
- In 1980, Ronnie McDowell hit the Top 40 on the country charts with his version of the song.
- The Fleetwoods released a cover version of the song which can be found on their 1993 greatest hits album, Come Softly to Me: The Very Best of the Fleetwoods.
References edit
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book Of Top 40 Country Hits: 1944-2006, Second edition. Record Research. p. 166.
- ^ Whitburn, Joel (2004). The Billboard Book of Top 40 Hits: Eighth Edition. Record Research. p. 297.
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 92. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
- ^ "The "Nashville Sound" Begins (paragraph 4)". Living In Stereo. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ "Ferlin Husky Biography". Ferlin Husky Official Site. Archived from the original on 17 February 2016. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ Friskics-Warren, Bill (18 March 2011). "Velvet-Voiced Ferlin Husky Dies at 85". New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2015.
- ^ Joey Heatherton, "Gone" Chart Position Retrieved April 11, 2012.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 136. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.