Feb. 10, 1940 to June 7, 2009
Kenny Rankin’s album played over and over and over again in my home in the early 80′s. His voice gave me chills and he made his songs come alive. The one fact about him that I always remembered is that I was born on his birthday. I still have my favorite album of his — The Kenny Rankin Album (1976). Now, if I could just get Tom to transfer it from vinyl to my iPod or onto a disc. His music always brought a smile to my face and an occasional tear to my eye. He was just an awesome performer.
What Matters Most by Kenny Rankin
Blackbird, written by Paul McCartney. Performed by Kenny Rankin
Rankin had a unique gift for being able to reworking classic songs. He did a remake of The Beatles’ “Blackbird,” at put it on his Silver Morning album. Paul McCartney was so impressed with Rankin’s version that he asked him to perform the song when McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall Of Fame. The man was “just that good”.
Rankin passed away from lung cancer on June 7, 2009, just three short weeks after it was diagnosed.
Rest in peace and thank you for so many wonderful memories… ∞
