Ric Cartey, wrote "Young Love," Dead at 72
tr...@iwvisp.com
January 18, 1937-August 5, 2009
For Atlanta, Ga. born Whaley T. 'Ric' Cartey, success as a songwriter
came awfully young. He was a mere nineteen years old when he composed
and published "Young Love" in 1956. The song's lyricist, Carole
Joyner, was all of seventeen.
Cartey recorded the song with his rock group in November of '56,
without much success. By the end of the following year, 1957,
however,
no less than three hit singles would reach the Top 30; two of them
would reach number one.
Sonny James recording first appeared on the charts in Jan., '57, on
it's way to number one, where it would spend 8 weeks. While that
record was sitting on the top of the charts, Tab Hunter's record was
climbing up. It too, eventually reached the number one position.
Later
that year, "The Crew Cuts" would add a third charted version of
"Young
Love". In 1960, Ray Conniff included it in his million selling album
"Memories Are Made of This".
Were the 1950s the end for "Young Love"? No. In fact, this song was
hardly past puberty.
At the height of 'Beatlemania', Lesley Gore's record of "Young Love"
peaked in at number 50 in 1966. Nat Stuckey recorded a country
version
in 1969. This rose to number 20 on the 'Country Music' charts.
Enter the 1970s. I officially became a teen in 1973. If my generation
has a fond memory for the song, they'd have Donny Osmond to credit
for
it. In 1973, the then fiteen year old Osmond's record of "Young
Love",
produced by Mike Curb and arranged by the late Don Costa, reached
number 25 on the Billboard charts. Quite a feat, given that it was
the
height of the socially conscious, singer-songwriter era dominated by
such artists as Carly Simon, James Taylor, Paul Simon, Elton John,
Helen Reddy, etc. It went over even better in the U.K., all the way
to number 1. But this song wasn't done yet. By the end of the 1970s,
Ray Stevens would have a modest hit with it.
The latest appearance for "Young Love" is Ireland's "Celtic Thunder",
who've added the teen pop standard to their repertiore.
It may be the last version it's composer, Ric Cartey, would hear. But
I've a feeling the song will be revived. As long as there are teen
vocalists, at least.
Lyricist Carole Joyner, also of Atlanta, passed away in 1997.
Emma J.
>Whaley T. 'Ric' Cartey
>January 18, 1937-August 5, 2009
>
Why the hell are you posting this 7 damn weeks after it happened?
tr...@iwvisp.com
> On Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:03:50 -0700 (PDT), "t...@iwvisp.com"
<snip>
> Why the hell are you posting this 7 damn weeks after it happened?
>
>
>
> >For Atlanta, Ga. born Whaley T. 'Ric' Cartey, success as a songwriter
> >came awfully young.
I posted it when I learned of it. I hadn't seen it posted here
before. If I posted something on the WWW that had been previously
posted, please forgive me. I'm sure I'm the first to do that! Who
pissed on your corn flakes Thursday morning? Hope you have a better
day.
Ray Arthur