Endless Love-Part II

Lenny Welch

Today's blog subject, Lenny Welch, is most likely not known to most people. It's unfortunate. His biggest hit, one of the songs that will be sung at Orchestra Kentucky's Endless Love concert, has become a jazz/pop standard.

Lenny Welch was born Leon Welch on May 15, 1938, in New York City. He was raised in Asbury Park, New Jersey. His biggest hit, a cover version of the big band standard Since I Fell for You, reached number 4 on U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1963. His other hits included Ebb Tide, a1964 recording that was featured in the film Sweet Bird of Youth. He also recorded the first vocal version of A Taste of Honey in 1962.

Since I Fell for You was composed by Buddy Johnson in 1945 and was first popularized by his sister, Ella Johnson, with Buddy Johnson and His Orchestra.

Other notable versions:

Eartha Kitt (1950)

Dinah Washington (1961 sessions with Quincy Jones Orchestra)
Vince Guaraldi (1962)
Doris Day (1963)
Ramsey Lewis (1965)
The Rascals (1967) - from the album "Collections"
Barbra Streisand (1971)
Bonnie Raitt (1971)
Count Basie & Joe Turner (1974)
Charlie Rich (1976)
Tom Waits (various live shows, around 1979)
Al Jarreau, Bob James, and David Sanborn (1986) - This version peaked at number 10 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart.[3]
Michael Bolton (1992)
Natalie Cole and Reba McEntire (1993)
B.B. King (2000) - from the album Makin' Love Is Good for You
Ronnie Milsap (2004) from the album Just for a Thrill
Katharine McPhee (2006) (American Idol)
Gladys Knight (2006) from the album Before Me
Glen Campbell
Van Morrison

Listen to Lenny Welch's original recording.