Gene Pitney - Black Is Black (Really Los Brovos)

[luxyaltz219]

Wow ..it's only dawned on me now after all these years , same high pitch as Gene Pitney's .

[rohansrider]

Could have been him! This song was very, very popular at the time. No wonder. Good lyrics.

[ajbowen100]

absolutly Brill

[fab4fan4ever64]

Audio is EXCELLENT.

[49Uschi]

Is there anyone who knows Gene Pitny song I will?? Please I'm looking for it!! It is the B-side form the singel I'll think Black is Black. Tanks

[uplinkz]

Im disappointed this is not a Pitney song. Always thought it was, but doesn't change the fact that this is a great song. The 'wail' at 2:11 makes the song all the more better!

[colin7983]

60s before the 70s

[sramir8]

The band were an amalgamation of two pop groups, Los Sonor and The Runaways. Los Bravos' lead singer, Mike Kogel, was from Germany. His vocal styling was sometimes likened to Gene Pitney's. Their single "Black Is Black" reached #2 in the......... I HOPE THIS CLEAR A LITLE THE CONFUSION

[kozation]

On which album(s) is this song available?

[Tonithenightowl]

This dude sounds like Pitney on the intro, but after that NO.

[2007Loon]

This is not Gene Pitney but it is one of the best songs to come out of Spain...

[brucetuten]

does this bring back years gone by

[Tonithenightowl]

This is the closest to Pitney I ever heard. And no one touches Pitney on Pitney's level but didn't he also record this?

[acla9000]

Wow, I remember this song! It was also recorded in French by Johnny Haliday. Thanks!!

[potfiles222333]

he did just to get los lobos on yhe chart

[tannaberton]

FN Gene

[Eggman73064]

Gene Pitney was in England touring when this song was made. Everyone at the time was certain it was Gene but there was no proof, and he and Los Bravos would never comment on it. This song is in my top 5 favorites!

[SEVFEST]

but why don't you have Los Bravos pictures instead of who they sounded like?

[SEVFEST]

When this song 1st came out I too thought it was Gene Pitney . went right out and bought the Los Bravos 45

[miami1600]

I think this was a German, Spanish band. Sounds like Gene though. This was the only splash they had on this side of the "pond," I believe.

[moggs69]

@miami1600 U right mate

[Kluif100]

Gene Pitney...

No words more to say.

Except: R.I.P. and many thanks.

[Deblablove]

You mean this is NOT Gene Pitney?????

[JJMFB1]

@Deblablove It's NOT,but really copied his sound

[Baskijka]

Gosh, this is beautiful! I love this song!

[zaaritha]

Great!

[luap123311]

Talented & Gifted singer!

[jimbobubbadj]

Gene does sound like Mike Kogel. 

[msstevie1951]

I heard an interiew on the radio years ago with Gene Pitney & a local DJ .Gene said he nearly drove off the road late one night when this was palying on his car radio cause he could not remember recording it, but was sure it was himself singing! It of course was not ,it was Los Bravos and he gave them full credit for making him think he was losing his mind! Gene had a great sense of humor about it & wished someone had offered him the song first! ♥

[jsbach15]

@msstevie1951 That's a hysterically funny story!

[msstevie1951]

@jsbach15 Yes it was a funny interview and Gene had a great sense of humor about it all! Thanks! You've got some great favs on your site! Donna x

[weightfeather1]

@msstevie1951 Well, they say if you remember the 60s, you weren't really there! How funny that Gene might not have rememeberd whether or not he'd recorded a song!

[msstevie1951]

@weightfeather1 I am a child of the 60's lol! But I do remember this is Los Bravos! Gene had many great hits,but this is the only one I can remember by Los Bravos.I don't think Gene ever sang this song,but who knows what happened at a concert back then?? He may have done his version of this great old song to please people,he was a great guy! ♥

[68000cpu]

I'm 39 and Ive spent my whole life thinking this song was by Gene Pitney, I was gob smacked to find its not, this guys vocal skills are a dead ringer for pitney :O

[weightfeather1]

@68000cpu Gob smacked! You must be from across the pond! Yeah, it was years before I found out that this wasn't Gene!

[Mike1964]

I read somewhere that Gene Pitney filled in for the lead singer for some reason. And it became a major hit. Sounds like it's true. Anybody know?

[judwak]

iam only 35 i like gene pitney for has long has i remember

long live the music of gene pitney

[TalaJenta]

Crikey what is wrong with people this is NOT Gene Pitney it is Los Bravos....Gene never ever sang this song...Whoever uploaded it really needs to learn about music...there is no reason whatsoever to have Gene Pitney's name in the title other than it obviously gets you more hits. Gene Pitney is dead so how about some respect for a great man????

[eemjmm]

Saw this guy live in 1974 --Leicester Palais in England --his voice in that arena was simply incredible --and his willingness to meet his fans after --just a great entertainer --bye Gene --great voice gone

[MoyraAust]

This Gene I have seen him perform this song here in Australia. Yes his voice has the same range as Los Bravos. RIP Gene. I will miss you in your concerts downunder.

[tomthefunky]

All my life I always thought this song was by The Hollies.

[22jan51]

@tomthefunky In Brazil we have a version of this song at 60" sung by Jerry Adriano

[tomk773]

Black is black & grey is grey, what can I say..?

[tomk773]

Does sound a little like him -but I knew it was Los Bravos..

[minotauroazul]

What is this? This is a  LOS BRAVOS song, also a JOHNNY HALLYDAY song in French,

but what has this song to do with GENE PITNEY?????

[zaaritha]

Gene P was a member of Los Bravos??

[PURPLEBEATTIE1]

Really enjoyable

[birba1952]

grazie

[juoscapa]

inolvidable.

[potfiles222333]

it is gene singing analyse voice in both videos are the same

[barriorellana]

JAMAS GENE PITNEY CANTO EN EL CONJUNTO "LOS BRAVOS" DE ESPAÑA, NI MENOS LA CANCION "BLACK IS BLACK", QUIEN CANTA AQUI ES MIKE KENNEDY (MICHAEL v. KÜGEL) CANTANTE DE ORIGEN ALEMAN DE "LOS BRAVOS" DE ESPAÑA

[soundmast]

Gene sang never the original! This is Nonsens - this song is by Los Bravos - and the sanger Mike Kennedy (a german with real name Michael Kogel) wrote this song!!

[903davesharonpoky]

I didn't realize that this sounds like Gene Pitney and I always love this song too! Thanks for letting us know the similarity!!!

[rew428]

this song is los bravos???? always was.

[legwithanattitude]

Its hard but here goes its! Get over it and thank goodness he sang it.

leg

[nosoyoso]

Gene recognized a song that was made for his voice. His version was as good as the original Bravos version. I am sure he had fun with it.

[247GPfan]

I've liked this song since six grade and It does sound like Gene but you can tell that it  isn't.

[essexlph]

The first time I heard this I thought it was Gene Pitney. Imagine my surprise when I found out the record was from Spain and that the group was a mixed bag of Europeans. Still a good song. Thanks for posting.

[hotdog12ify]

when did this great perfomer leave this beatiful earth.i have always been amazed by this singers performances.

[west1805]

@hotdog12ify He died four years ago of heart disease while on tour in Wales.

[hotdog12ify]

@west1805 thank you for this info. i appreciate it.

[garymichael1950]

Pitney had NOTHING what so ever to do with this..he didn't write it..didn't produce it it...didn't sing on it..for all I know he didn't even BUY it.

[stucmania]

@garymichael1950

oeps i was wrong sorry ;)

[garymichael1950]

Don't feel bad...If I got paid by the mistake..no one could afford me!!

[lovlyladyhere]

WoW Beautiful Song 1000**

Thank You

Happy New Year.

(Fav)

[stucmania]

wrtiiten by gene pitney !!!!!!!!!!

preformd bij los bravos

and gene pitney!!!!!!!!!!

google rules

greetz from holland ;)

[JanV24031964]

Los Bravos was NOT Gene Pitney. This is Los Bravos and the lead singer was Mike Koegel.

[Tedone2]

I remember this clearly as a Los Brovos hit.

[zaaritha]

I thought it is Gene Pitney who´s singing!

[iwantwhatiget]

creepy yeah he does sound like pitney very much. but i give los bravis kudos for singing so well xD ha ha it's flattering to be called gene pitney. anywho i wanna hear more from these guys hissssssssss!

[aifammafiaaifam]

northern soul undiscovered wow killer tune

[tiaraproductions]

This is Gene Pitney Singing. , 100%

[nomiclas]

i never made the conect,it sure sounds rite.there was just no voice like pitney

[FanE4AdamL]

I have always heard DJs announce the artist as Los Bravos--never any references to Gene that I can recall. Voice is very similar to Gene's; however, the "wow" in two spots don't don't seem like his style. There is a video floating in youtube of Los Bravos singing this song. Look for "los bravos_black is black", uploaded by lauuu March 10, 2006. Great song, nevertheless.

[091680]

Wow I never realized how much he sounds like Gene!

[STAGENAME1]

Could somebody please upload the real Gene Pitney version. Thanks!

[danje10]

Stagename1 -- You crack me up! Gene NEVER recorded this song!

The big 'secret' here is that so many thought this WAS Gene when it came out, because Mike Kogel (German in an Spanish band) sounded so much like Gene!

But.. when I asked Gene to settle this once and for all, his classic answer was always: "I must have been really drunk when I recorded it, because I don't remember recording it!"

[laika2012]

sigh i wish this was gene i adore him so. ill just go on pretending its him haha cuz i wasnt alive when this song was made anyway

[laykaljos]

The band were an amalgamation of two pop groups, Los Sonor and The Runaways. Los Bravos' lead singer, Mike Kogel, was from Germany. His vocal styling was similar to Gene Pitney's. Their single "Black is Black" reached #2 in the UK Singles Chart in July 1966 [1] and #4 in the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 chart, the first Spanish group to achieve this.[2] The song sold over one million copies world wide.

[jennyschofield]

NOT Gene Pitney. Los Bravos for sure.

[laika2012]

oh this delightful!! ive never heard the gene pitney version!!

[MusicDude86]

When the song hit the charts back in '66, Pitney , given the amount of songs he was recording in those days, actually thought it was a song he recorded. I forgot where I heard that, but it's true.

[gyrene1966]

Los Bravos without a doubt.

[colbee100]

This is NOT Gene Pitney. As others have said, it's Los Bravos (a group). I remember seeing them perform it on Top of The Pops.

[petluvr351]

This is Los Bravos not Gene Pitney. I was ALIVE when this song hit the airwaves. Sounds like Gene though.

[stucmania]

lol

its Gene Pitney for 100%

my mother alway's played that song :(

[motowngirl65]

Bull! I was a teen when this song was a hit. I taped recorded the hits off the radio - the D.J. said "Gene Pitney" this was in the 60's. What lifetime are you talking about?

[kickassfan]

This vid was posted on my birthday,thanks man

[TheANNA44]

Actually dear "Luckchancer" YOU are wrong!!! Gene Pitney never has sang this song, not officialy anyway.

IT IS originally from Los Bravos and the confusion is because the lead singer's (Mike Kogel by the way from Berlin) vocal styling was so similar to Pitney's. Get your facts right before you start telling people off like this!

[Luckchancer]

had to spend a sunday digging up my old vinyl records to check this out. You are right, Although the lable says LOS SONOR

[DunedinP]

THanks for posting all these great songs.

[cilidbang]

I luv thiz song!!

[Uburosco]

PD, you are a LOSER!

[betbetz]

the singer is Mike with Los Bravos.Completely sure.

[Baskijka]

FANTASTIC SONG...... Gene Pitney was a very beauty boy ;) and he has wonderfull vois ...

[Jerryberlin]

A great Song!

[evilmortician666]

great song

[a6raxxas]

Pitney was/is great, but why did someone upload the Los Bravos song here?

[NESHero]

I think he thought it was gene pitney originally, then changed the title once he found out.

[Luckchancer]

Los Bravos? My foot. Gene sang the original Black is Black in the sixties IT WAS EVERY PARTY,s SONG

[zydor1961]

Pyszności i słodkości

[BeatlesnicoleO13]

I had heard of this song before, but I never knew who sang it...

[ppaulmorris]

A one off - but great. Spanish group with a German singer.

[vintolho]

legal , very nice .spaulo,brazil

[caseygogos]

great the one and only good job gene thanks

[ProfessorPoopStain]

why would anybody put this faggots pictures up with this great song? they sound similar but gene's sound is a lot more whiney than mike kogel.

[danje10]

I didn't go back and read all 43 comments, but it seems everyone here has the true 'skinny' -- Mike Kogel, German born, with the Spanish group, Los Bravos. About 1996, Gene told me that he WISH he had sung this song! His stock answer was "I must have been really drunk when I recorded it because I don't remember doing it!"

BTW, Tribute, memorial get together on Octber 4th, 2008, at his grave site, in Connecticut. See Pitney forums for more info.

Tony Lee will sing -- sounds just like him.

[jsbach15]

Hey, I confess that when I first heard this song many years ago...I really thought it was Gene singing. I didn't find out until recently (honest!) that it was Los Brovos! TOO FUNNY! But can you blame me?

[n3vino]

singer is Mike Kogel from Germany. He's vocal style is like Gene Pitney's

[n3vino]

Mike Kogel with Los Bravos

[pikeruss]

Not Gene - (From a family member).  Common mistake.

[FRANCYWILLOW]

NOBODY could sing like Gene ! he was the best and i love all his songs, i play his music everyday...really i do ! what a pity the world and his family lost in his passing, he had everything but the gift of time on this good earth, i am sure he's in heaven and watching all of us listening to his love songs,if i ever fall in love again i want to play him my favorite song "SOMETHING'S GOTTEN HOLD OF MY HEART " who ever you are i would love to hear more about Gene, if the idea appeals to you, peace

[betseyanne]

Definitely not Gene Pitney!

[Davez621]

No it's not Gene Pitney. I heard this exact song (i.e. same exact version) on the radio and they state it's by Los Bravos.

[NESHero]

I think you are right, i stand corrected.

[TheBluetip]

definatly NOT gene pitney....no one has a voice like his!!!!

[NESHero]

Of course its Gene Pitney

[boxerlph]

not. sorry

[NESHero]

what? i corrected myself !

I know its not gene , i did previously thought it was, but it was a mistake :)

[chanterul98]

this is not Gene Pitney voice

[MrHolmis]

From All Music:

Lead singer Mike Kogel's overwrought, pinched vocals sounded so much like Gene Pitney that many listeners assumed that "Black Is Black" was a Pitney single, and the strong resemblance remained intact throughout Los Bravos' career, both in the singing and arrangements.

[rokkitride]

I used to burn the floor of the skating rink up in the 60's to this song....it is a special one....makes me think of a special Lady...my Yoo-Hoo...........

[OmHaver]

Sings Mike Kennedy, frontman of LOS BRAVOS, in their marvellous hit of 1966. I really love Gene Pitney songs, but this is Mike with Los Bravos, spanish group. I am Spanish, i know well abaut it. Greetings for all.

[1030108]

Bobbyfozz,  Thanks for clearing this confusion up.

[bobbyfozz]

I'm afraid I will have to chane my mind and give this to Los Bravos. I "thought" I had this on an album. When the part that comes on like "Tom Jones," that is NOT Gene Pitney, but I wish it were!

[MrHolmis]

This is not Gene Pitney, Los Bravos is the right group!

[bobbyfozz]

Yes. Los Bravos did the original... but this IS Gene Pitney. It is the SAME voice on the Gene Pitney album.

[1030108]

The lead singer of Los Bravos is

Mike Kogel.Never heard 2 singers sound so much alike.

[Kashaslove]

Darrell - Do you remember I always thought this was Gene Pitney!!! No wonder!!

[bobbyfozz]

That's because this isn't Mike Kogel. This is Gene Pitney doing the Los Bravos song--from a Gene Piney album I have.

[MichaelvanT]

great voice...

[dowop4]

Los Bravos, 1966, Press Records.

Ya' tried to fool us didn't you, Brent?!

[Brent441]

It din't work EH...I'm from Canada :( Give me a break :)

[dowop4]

Brent,

Hey Brent What part of Canada?

Where did you get all these great tunes?

I am trying to get a copy of the CD "Blue Gene". I have the original 1963 album. Let me know if you can help.

Dowop4

[IDLERACER]

All of Billy Joe Royal's hits sound like Gene Pitney. As a matter of fact, "Down In The Boondocks" specifically sounds like "24 Hours From Tulsa." If you check out some old clips of him on YouTube, you'll find that the two of them even bore a passing physical resemblence (same hair style).

[crazymaceman33]

This is so true, as I remember as a teen I used to get them mixed up. The bottom line, however, is that they are both great! Love ALL their songs...

[unklewink]

What fooled a lot of people, is that not only does the singer sound a lot like Gene in this recording, but the song itself and its production is very Pitney-esque.

U.W.

[bobbyfozz]

That's because THIS version IS Gene Pitney, from one of his albums. He did many songs originally recorded by others such as Los bravos.

[wildwoodsrule]

Definitely a misattribution here. A zillion thanks for all your other (actual) Pitney videos, Brent, but this one should be removed (or renamed as Los Bravos). An easy mistake to make. I do think this guy's voice is harsher and thinner than Gene's, and also agree with the poster who pointed out the Tom Jones-esque spell (there is an earlier one around 1:25, too). Although I'm not familiar with all Pitney's work, I'm pretty sure that screaming/growling mannerism wouldn't have been his style.

[Brent441]

Thank you for your comments....This is why we have u-tube....So many people think that this is Gene Pitney singing this song so this post is to set them straight....All the comments are true...

[bobbyfozz]

Not a misattribution here. This is the same version I have on one of my Gene Pitney albums. He commonly recorded the songs of others including Los Bravos. And yes, there is a resemblance to Tom Jones, but this IS Gene Pitney.

[BathhouseWilly]

Bobby, you really do have too much free time on your hands. You created a You Tube account just to play silly buggers on this site - where nobody over the age of 30 or bright enough to scroll down a bit believes

you - and a second one to give yourself thumbs up.

Why would come onto a site with 8,000 visits - to be silly - when you would have a much bigger audience and attract more responses on sites which attract far more people? Ever hear of the Beatles?

[legwithanattitude]

@wildwoodsrule Ok so your a fuckhead cant help that! Son go and use another medium for your course.

Leg

[sfrazeur]

It would be interesting to hear an actual Gene Pitney version of this song. -SF

[Brent441]

Take a Spanish band fronted by a German-born Gene Pitney soundalike, borrow

a bassline from the Four Tops, and what do you get? A #4 (US) hit for

Los Bravos in the fall of '66.

[OLDS98]

This is Los Bravos. Thanks for sharing anyway.. I remember this distinct sound..

[toonguy85]

Yeah, this DOES sound like Gene Pitney, but its actually a band called "Los Bravos".

[billricub]

This was one of the great "soundalike" records from '66 - when I first heard it late summer of '66, I swore it was Gene Pitney! (even now, I still do a doubletake) - but the giveaway that it isn't Gene is the lead singer's fleeting similarity (minutes 2:04-2:16) to Tom Jones - check it out..!

Oh - the other soundalikes from '66? "Lies" by the Knickerbockers (sounds EXACTLY like the Beatles), and "My Ship Is Coming In" by the Walker Bros (could easily pass for the Righteous Bros).

[JSG1951]

I agree I think this is Los Bravos.I have their 45 it's sounds like it verbatim.

[bayelaine]

This is Los Bravos;when I first heard it I also thought it was Gene but if you listen Gene's distinctive voice is'nt there.Brent do you have him singing Follow the sun it is on the same album as Lips are redder on you?You have a great selection been a fan of his forever.Thanks

[luvut]

I think you are right. It sounds just like Los Bravos. Gene Always pronounces his r's very different than this.

[mostliketa]

I heard a story that when Gene Pitney first heard this song on the radio, he asked "when did I record this?". Probably not a true story but this does sound more like Pitney than Pitney

[luvut]

Thanks for this posting. I love hearing Gene sing this great song. Just the best.

[spacepatrolman]

Los Bravos did a lot of concerts in bullfight arenas maybee they listened to Gene Pitney.