In Memory of Giorge Pettus 1952 - 2021
I first met George Franklin Pettus in the early 1980s when I was hired to run sound for the Twin Cities funk-reggae band Brinks. George (his given name; he became known as “Giorgio” and then “Giorge” just prior to signing with MCA Records in 1986) was the lead singer of the band.
We bonded very quickly and began what would become a decades-long friendship and musical collaboration that also included the talented singer/songwriter Madeleine Hart. Who would have imagined a suburban Jewish boy from Saint Louis Park, MN, a Catholic girl from Highland Park, MN and a musical prodigy with off-the-charts, God-given talent from The Bronx (who was also the son and grandson of Pentecostal preachers) would forge such a deep and lasting creative relationship?
Over the years we accumulated many albums worth of original material and developed a signature, hybrid Euro-R&B-Pop sound. Only Lover is a prime example. We wrote it as a follow up to another of our songs, I’m Good for You, which is on Giorge’s first record for MCA. This version was intended for his third record for MCA in the early 1990s, but unfortunately, he never got to make that record.
Fast forward to February, 2021. Giorge, who had dealt with a number of serious health issues in recent years, contracted the Covid-19 virus and sadly passed away on February 7th from complications related to the virus.Madeleine and I discussed ways to honor Giorge and agreed to create a series of music videos of unreleased songs from the Grossman, Hart, Pettus archives. Only Lover is the first of these, with more to follow in the coming months.
Giorge was an extraordinary, generational talent and a kind, generous human being. I will always remember and treasure the moments of magic and the memories we shared.
Watch the official video of the previously unreleased title Only Lover featuring the incomparable Giorge Pettus.
What extreme talent from all of you, a thoughtful, touching tribute to Giorgio. He is greatly missed.
Thank you for your kind words, Annette. He is greatly missed, indeed.
I searched high and low and finally found his music on you tube. I remember my night for love back from 1987. That was my jam and it still is. He has such an amazing voice and he was an amazing talent. My condolences to his family and his friends. May he rest in peace King Giorge
Hi Tasha, It’s great to read your comments about “King Giorge.” He is dearly missed, but having his music live on is a blessing.
My night for love is possibly my favourite song ever. RIP Giorge.
Ciao! That was actually written by LaForrest Cope (a/k/a La La Cope) who also wrote Whitney Houston’s first hit single, “You Give Good Love. My personal favorites written by Giorge are “Can You Wait” and “Make it Right.”
Just learned about the passing of this incredibly talented singer. “Can You Wait” was the first song I ever heard him sing and I knew I wanted to hear more! Thank you for sharing your gift of song with the world. Rest well.
I love and miss you brother❤️♥️
Found this guy in the 80’s and been jammin him every since.
Once YouTube came about Giorge Pettus has always been in my music folder.
Thanks for the good music.
Rest with music Angles.
Thanks for the great music Giorge….and for your kindness and warmth when we once met back in the years! I hope you are singing and dancing and having a great time where you are now! Kissing and huggning….whole mot of loving! 🎶🎤🎸🕺🏻💃🏻🪩♥️