My Memories of Kenny Rankin & Designing His Album Covers - Ernie Cefalu's "Ernie's Corner"

I Speak For Me And My Brother Kenny When I Thank All My Neighbors On The Block With A Special Shout Out To Our Beautiful Joyce Conroy. Great Show Tonight And I Hope That Everyone Checks Out More Kenny Rankin. Love You All - Ernie

Award-winning creative designer, Ernie Cefalu has been sharing about the unique and distinct album covers that he has designed.

You can listen to "The Block Party" and "Ernie's Corner" in Bel Air, Maryland on 91.1 FM (WHFC) and we reach out to you on the net at www.whfc911.org. You can also hear us on Q101.3 (WQMR) in Rocky Mount, VA at 8 p.m.. Meet you on the air Saturday.

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Kenneth Joseph Rankin (February 10, 1940 – June 7, 2009) was an American singer and songwriter from the Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. He worked in the folk rock and singer-songwriter genres; he was influenced by jazz. His voice was distinct; Rankin would often sing notes in a high range to express emotion

Rankin was raised in New York and introduced to music by his mother, who sang at home and for friends. Early in his career he worked as a singer-songwriter. Three of his albums entered the Billboard magazine Album Chart. Most of his career was in pop music.

He was a guitarist on the album Bringing It All Back Home by Bob Dylan.[3] He appeared on The Tonight Show more than twenty times.[3] Host Johnny Carson wrote the liner notes to Rankin's 1967 debut album Mind Dusters, which included the single "Peaceful." Georgie Fame had had a UK hit with the song in 1969. This was Rankin's only songwriting credit to make the British charts, reaching No. 16 and spending nine weeks on the chart. Rankin re-recorded the song for his album Like a Seed (1972). Helen Reddy covered "Peaceful" in 1973; it reached No. 2 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and No. 12 on the pop charts in both the US and Canada.

When he worked with Alan Broadbent, Mike Wofford, and Bill Watrous, his music got closer to jazz. His songs were performed by Peggy Lee, Mel Tormé and Carmen McRae; Stan Getz said his voice was like "a horn with a heartbeat". Reflecting his interest in Brazilian music Rankin recorded the album Here in My Heart in Rio de Janeiro with jazz musicians Michael Brecker and Ernie Watts. He returned to more contemporary songs after signing with Verve Records, including "A Song for You" by Leon Russell and "I've Just Seen a Face" by the Beatles. After recording the Beatles' song "Blackbird" for his album Silver Morning, he was asked by Paul McCartney to perform it when McCartney and John Lennon were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Rankin befriended comedian George Carlin; both were signed to Little David Records. Starting in 1972 Rankin was often the opening act or musical guest for Carlin's live performances. The two flew in Carlin's private jet. Although Rankin had overcome his drug habit at Phoenix House, he returned to using cocaine while on tour with Carlin. Rankin and Carlin toured together intermittently for nearly ten years. Rankin sang at Carlin's memorial service in June 2008.