"Sunny" Songwriter Passes Away

[cyberjudge]

The Associated Press reports that songwriter Bobby Hebb died on Tuesday at the age of 72. A spokesperson for the funeral home told the Associated Press that Hebb passed away at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn., while friends relayed that he had been battling lung cancer.

Hebb performed in a number of bands over the years and, significantly, once headlined a tour featuring the Beatles. Yes, you read that right. Prior to that, in the early 1950s, he became one of the first black artists ever to appear on the Grand Ole Opry and his list of similar accomplishments is simply staggering.

Still, Hebb will most of all be remembered for penning the household hit, 'Sunny.' The song was listed as the 18th most performed song in the entire BMI catalog, according to a 1990 chart released by that organization, and Hebb's own performance of the tune landed in second place on the pop charts for 1966. Subsequent renditions by Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and hundreds more made the song ubiquitous.

While Hebb's accomplishments reach far beyond 'Sunny,' it is that song's eternal melody that will keep the Nashville native's memory alive for generations to come.

[Tenacious_Peaches]

RIP, Mr. Hebb.

Stevie's version

[_Laurie_]

Very sad news...

[Carl]

I remember listening to it over and over on scratchy vinyl, which was probably the best way. He'll be missed.