Post by Rob Durkee on Jun 16, 2012 22:20:08 GMT -5
Jimmy Elledge, who scored his only pop chart single with the Willie Nelson-written "Funny How Times Slips Away" in late 1961-early 1962, has died from complications of a stroke. He was 69.
Elledge was born on January 8, 1943, in Nashville. Chet Atkins discovered him and produced his only hit.
Elledge had been a regular performer at the Pillars Nightclub in Biloxi, Mississippi. He'd started playing the piano at the age of six and was a conductor of a small orchestra when he was in the second grade.
"Funny How Time Slips Away" was written by Willie Nelson in about 10 minutes while on his way to work. The song would be recorded by Billy Walker and reach #23 on the country chart, also in late 1961-early 1962. Elledge's version reached #22 on the Billboard pop chart and #33 on the Cash Box pop chart. Joe Hinton would remake the song as simply "Funny" two years later in 1964, reaching #12 (Billboard) and #13 (Cash Box).
Elvis Presley recorded a studio version of "Funny How Time Slips Away" in 1970. A live version of it made the soundtrack of the 1972 film, "Elvis On Tour." Among the others to have recorded the song were Johnny Tillotson in 1963 and Dorothy Moore in 1976.
Many thanks to musicologist Ronnie Allen for his help on this sad news. Word of Elledge's passing surfaced at the WillieNelson.com web site.
Elledge was born on January 8, 1943, in Nashville. Chet Atkins discovered him and produced his only hit.
Elledge had been a regular performer at the Pillars Nightclub in Biloxi, Mississippi. He'd started playing the piano at the age of six and was a conductor of a small orchestra when he was in the second grade.
"Funny How Time Slips Away" was written by Willie Nelson in about 10 minutes while on his way to work. The song would be recorded by Billy Walker and reach #23 on the country chart, also in late 1961-early 1962. Elledge's version reached #22 on the Billboard pop chart and #33 on the Cash Box pop chart. Joe Hinton would remake the song as simply "Funny" two years later in 1964, reaching #12 (Billboard) and #13 (Cash Box).
Elvis Presley recorded a studio version of "Funny How Time Slips Away" in 1970. A live version of it made the soundtrack of the 1972 film, "Elvis On Tour." Among the others to have recorded the song were Johnny Tillotson in 1963 and Dorothy Moore in 1976.
Many thanks to musicologist Ronnie Allen for his help on this sad news. Word of Elledge's passing surfaced at the WillieNelson.com web site.
