Goodnight Pookie

For those of you who poke around this blog you might discover that I'm a fan of great music of the 50's & 60's. Over the years I've been blessed to meet and work with legendary artists. One of those was a man who was a pioneer in group harmony. Known to the world as Mr. "Pookie" Hudson.

Pookie Hudson was the lead singer and songwriter for the doo wop group The Spaniels, best know for "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" and influenced generations of later artists. Sadly Pookie died Tuesday of complications from cancer of the thymus . He was 72.

Hudson wrote "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" ("...well, it's time to go") for a young woman he was dating at the time. He was staying awful late at the young lady's house and her parents said ... he had to go. Walking home he wrote the song that would close a million oldies shows and provide the soundtrack to films like "American Graffiti".

The Spaniels' signature song was a Top 5 R&B hit in 1954. The McGuire Sisters rushed out a version of "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" that sold even more copies. At the time, only black radio stations played Hudson's version. Here is Pittsburgh it was Porky Chedwick playing The Spainels on WAMO.

Husdon was a prime example of the American dream. The Spaniels first came together at Roosevelt High School in Gary, Ind., where Hudson was raised and began singing in church choirs. He was homeless for a time after he went solo and hit a slump in the 1960s, but he got back to work in the 1980s.

It wasn't until the 1990's the Hudson began receiving regular royalties for "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight". The Spaniels were honored in 1991 by the Rhythm and Blues Foundation with an award that carried a $20,000 grant. The group used the money to record their album "40th Anniversary," which was reissued by Collectables Records.

Thanks for all the music Mr. Hudson. You will be missed. Good Night Pookie..... Good Night.