Song of the Day 7/20: Little Anthony and the Imperials, “Tears on My Pillow”
In honor of my cat, Little Anthony, who passed on this morning, age 17.
Jerome Anthony Gourdine started out as the lead singer for the group that became the Imperials, and that’s how they were billed on the label of this, their first single under that name (leader Clarence Collins first called the group the Chesters before poaching Gourdine away from the DuPonts). But when legendary New York DJ Murray the K introduced them on his show as “Little Anthony and the Imperials,” the name stuck. The song reached No. 3 on the Hot 100 in 1959.
The Imperials had several other hits, though none were as big as “Tears,” and they were one of the few doo-wop acts that stayed active after the ’60s, which was enough to get them into the Hall of Fame after a 23-year wait.
The song, with lyrics by Tin Pan Alley tunesmith Al Lewis, has proved durable. Australian singer Kylie Minogue released a cover in 1990 that went to No. 1 in the UK.
My deepest sympathies for the passing of your cat.
We had to make that trip to the vet last week.
It never gets easier. But saying goodbye dredges up so many wonderful memories.
Thanks, same to you.
I had a mobile vet come to the house. Much preferable to that horrible last trip to the vet. I highly recommend it.
Our cat reached 19yo after having had thyroid disease for half his life. On Christmas Eve morning he hid under the bed, but when the smell of bacon cooking reached him, he started to struggle down the stairs, but his abdomen was distended in an unnatural way and we carried him the rest of the way down. He made his way to the kitchen and stood on hind legs reaching for the counter. We gave him all the bacon he wanted and dialed the vet.
“Death By Bacon”.
There are worse ways to go…
My condolences, especially for the timing. That’s rough.
I’m sorry. 🙁
Thank you.
Sorry about Anthony. (Nice song to commemorate him.) Charlotte is also 17 but still hanging in there. It’s sad when a beloved pet dies. Or even just thinking about it.