Guy Mitchell was one of the most popular pop singers and actors of the 1950s and 1960s, selling over 44 million records and starring in several films and TV shows. His cheerful and catchy songs, such as “My Heart Cries for You”, “Heartaches by the Number” and “Singing the Blues”, made him a household name and a favorite of millions of fans. However, his life was cut short by a tragic and unexpected event that shocked the music world. What was Guy Mitchell’s cause of death and how did it affect his legacy?
A Star is Born
Guy Mitchell was born Albert George Cernik on February 22, 1927, in Detroit, Michigan, to Croatian immigrants. He showed an early talent for singing and performing, and moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was 11. He was signed by Warner Brothers Pictures to be a child star, but his career did not take off. He then moved to San Francisco, where he worked as a saddlemaker and sang on the radio. He served in the US Navy for two years during World War II, and then joined Carmen Cavallaro’s big band as a vocalist. He recorded for Decca Records with Cavallaro’s band, but left due to food poisoning.
He moved to New York City and made records for King Records as Al Grant, but his breakthrough came when he was discovered by Mitch Miller, the head of talent at Columbia Records. Miller invited him to record two songs that Frank Sinatra had rejected, “My Heart Cries for You” and “The Roving Kind”. He also suggested that he change his name to Guy Mitchell, as Miller could not pronounce Cernik. Mitchell agreed, and his first hit was born. “My Heart Cries for You” reached No. 2 on the Billboard charts in 1951, and launched Mitchell’s career as a pop star.
A String of Hits
Mitchell followed his debut success with a string of hits, mostly written or arranged by Miller, who became his mentor and producer. He had a versatile voice that could handle different genres, from ballads to rock and roll to country. Some of his most famous songs include “Sparrow in the Treetop”, “She Wears Red Feathers”, “Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania”, “Feet Up”, “Rock-a-Billy”, “Heartaches by the Number” and “Singing the Blues”. He also recorded songs in other languages, such as Spanish, Italian, German and French, and had a huge fan base in Europe and Australia.
Mitchell also ventured into acting, appearing in several films, such as Those Redheads from Seattle (1953), Red Garters (1954) and The Wild Westerners (1962). He also starred in his own TV show, The Guy Mitchell Show, in 1957, and played the lead role in the NBC western detective series Whispering Smith, in 1961. He also guest-starred in other shows, such as The Ed Sullivan Show, The Jackie Gleason Show and The Muppet Show.
Mitchell was married three times, first to Miss USA Jackie Loughery, then to Miss Denmark Elsa Sorensen, and finally to Betty, who stayed with him for 25 years until his death. He had two children, a son and a daughter, from his second marriage.
A Sudden Death
Mitchell continued to perform and record until the late 1980s, although his popularity declined as musical tastes changed. He also suffered from health problems, such as diabetes and heart trouble. He underwent a triple bypass surgery in 1987, and recovered well. However, in 1999, he developed cancer and had to undergo another surgery to remove a tumor from his intestines. The surgery was successful, but he developed complications afterwards. He died on July 1, 1999, at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, at the age of 72. His wife, Betty, was by his side.
His death was a shock to his fans and the music industry, as he had been planning to resume his career and tour again. He was remembered as a talented and charismatic performer, who brought joy and happiness to millions of people with his songs. He was also praised for his generosity and kindness, as he supported many charities and causes, such as the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the American Cancer Society. He was inducted into the Hit Parade Hall of Fame in 2007, and his songs are still played and enjoyed by many today.
Guy Mitchell’s cause of death was a sad and unexpected end to a remarkable life and career. He left behind a legacy of music and entertainment that will not be forgotten. He was a star who shone bright and made the world a better place.
