Sunday, February 2, 2014

Jesse Pearson, AKA Conrad Birdie

Jesse Pearson played Conrad Birdie in the 1963 film Bye Bye Birdie, which is one of my favorite movie musicals. For a guy who starred in such a high-profile film, Pearson has had very little written about him. He had a fascinating career and died too young, so today Music Weird will try to fill in some gaps in the story of this multitalented singer/actor. 




Pearson was born Bobby Wayne Pearson in Seminole, Oklahoma, in 1930. 

His first single was released by New York's Kayo Record Co. in 1959. The A-side was a remake of the Hank Snow song "I'm Movin' On," and the single registered for one week at #105 on the Music Vendor pop chart.


The following year, he cut a couple of unsuccessful singles for Decca.

These efforts as a recording artist got him his gig as Birdie in the Broadway stage production of Bye Bye Birdie. He took over the Birdie role from actor Richard Gautier, who is heard on the 1960 Broadway cast album.

In Bye Bye Birdie, the story of Birdie's celebrity and induction into the Army mirrors the Elvis Presley story, but the name "Conrad Birdie" is a spoof of Conway Twitty's name. (Twitty was an Elvis sound-alike back then.)

Pearson told the story of how he got the role to the Louisiana newspaper Lake Charles American-Press in 1963: 
I came to New York after a recording executive had heard me sing Southern blues at a club in Texas.... The records I cut were never released because while I was singing blues, the country was buying rock 'n' roll. Back I went to the South for club dates.

I cut tapes of my performances and sent them back to the record company. They were having trouble working out arrangements they felt would sell. They called in Charles Strouse, who composed the score for Bye Bye Birdie. When he heard my tapes, he recommended me for the national company of the show. I got the part and spent a year travelling with the show all over the country. 
My records still didn't do anything, but I enjoyed playing the part and gained a lot of valuable experience in both acting and singing. I broke my ankle, was out of the show for a week, then came back and played it with my foot in a cast.
The skin-tight gold lamé suit that Pearson wore in Bye Bye Birdie had to be altered so that the legs could slip over his cast. 

The article went on to say:
Twenty-five-year-old Jesse was born on a house boat in the Louisiana bayou outside New Orleans. His grandfather was a fiery evangelist and brought Jesse along to sing at revivals. The transition to blues was a natural one. The picture has triggered his recording career. Now under contract to RCA, his new single "One Last Kiss" from the picture is in release. 
Being readied for release in a few months is his album, The Glory of Love. "In the past few years," he says, "music has sort of come my way. Standards and blues are getting more and more popular. I'll also be on the soundtrack album being released by RCA." 
Whether people like his performance and music is still to be seen. One thing is certain, though. You'd like Jesse—he's a natural, smiling, warm guy.

When Bye Bye Birdie was made into a film, Pearson kept the Birdie role, making the rare transition from the stage to the screen. He performs a few songs on the 1963 Bye Bye Birdie soundtrack album: "Honestly Sincere," "One Last Kiss," and "A Lot of Living to Do." 

The album spent over a year on the Billboard album chart, including two weeks at #2. 

As the Lake Charles Press-American article mentioned, RCA Victor released Pearson's version of "One Last Kiss" as a single. Pearson's single wasn't a hit, but Bobby Vee's cover version reached #112 on Billboard's "bubbling under" chart and #91 in Cash Box

For the rest of the '60s, Pearson mostly appeared in television series, especially western and military series such as Death Valley Days, Bonanza, and McHale's Navy. Two of his best-remembered appearances were in The Andy Griffith Show and The Beverly Hillbillies. In both shows, he played a singer. 

In the late '60s, Pearson worked part-time as a secretary for Rod McKuen, and McKuen has quite a bit to say about Pearson on his website. He says that Pearson recorded an unreleased album of love songs (maybe the never-released RCA album Glory of Love that was mentioned in several news stories in 1963?) and an unfinished album of Woody Guthrie songs. 

While working for McKuen, Pearson provided narration for a number of McKuen's album projects: the San Sebastian Strings Sea trilogy (The Sea, Home to the Sea, and The Soft Sea) and two albums of Walt Whitman's erotic poetry that McKuen set to music (Walt Whitman's the Body Electric and The Body Electric-2). 






All of the Sea albums, as well as a complete set of the three, were chart hits. The Sea spent 143 weeks on the Billboard album chart and was awarded a gold record for sales. 

In the '70s, Pearson did a lot of work in narration. Even some of his film credits from the '70s, such as 1978's The Norseman, were for narration. Somewhere in here, he narrated two religious albums for Jaime Mendoza-Nava: And Jesus Said... and Meditation in Psalms. I don't have these albums or any information about them, so feel free to add comments if you do. 

The most surprising chapter in Pearson's life might have been his foray into the adult film business. Under the pseudonym A. Fabritzi, he wrote and directed The Legend of Lady Blue (1978) and wrote the screenplay for Pro-Ball Cheerleaders (1979).  

Keep in mind that this was during the "golden age" of adult film, after screenings of Deep Throat had become hipster happenings and many adult film directors acquired serious artistic aspirations. Even 101 Strings, the orchestral "beautiful music" franchise that was responsible for countless albums of elevator music in the '60s and '70s, recorded two "adults only" erotic albums in the '70s.

(Also, the list of mainstream musicians, composers, actors, screenwriters, and directors who have worked in adult films is long. It includes big stars such as Jackie Chan and Sylvester Stallone.)

The Legend of Lady Blue is a classic golden-age attempt to meld explicit content with sophisticated storytelling. The movie follows a young couple as the boy is drafted and sent off to fight in Vietnam and the girl falls into prostitution. At the end of the film, they meet again and uneasily rekindle their romance. The viewer is left wondering whether they can overcome their traumatic experiences and reconnect, or if their ability to love and be loved is damaged beyond repair. 

Pro-Ball Cheerleaders is an adult comedy. It's remembered today, if at all, for an explicit outdoor scene in the pouring rain that gave actress Lisa De Leeuw pneumonia. It's a goofy, low-budget movie in which none of the football players and cheerleaders look like they could be actual football players or cheerleaders. 

On McKuen's website, he answered a question from a reader who asked if Pearson was gay. McKuen replied, "[I]f I knew the answer to your query I probably wouldn't tell you anyway." (Read what Pearson's cousin has to say about the topic here.)

Anyway, that was the end of the line for Pearson. He had cancer and moved back to Monroe, Louisiana, to be with his mother. He died on December 5, 1979, at the age of 49.

Some people seem to think that Pearson disappeared or faded away after Bye Bye Birdie, but, cumulatively, his albums were on the pop charts for over three years in the late '60s and early '70s! He was awarded a gold record! He continued to rack up album, film, and television credits right up to the end of his life! 

Pearson was a cool guy with an interesting career, and a much better singer than even his performances in Bye Bye Birdie suggest. 






Jesse/Jess Pearson discography



Singles

I'm Movin' On/Here Comes My Baby (Kayo 500, 1959)
This remake of Hank Snow's "I'm Movin' On" registered at #105 on the Music Vendor pop chart in 1959.

Finger Prints b/w Some Enchanted Evening (Decca 31068, 1960)
(Billboard said of "Finger Prints," "Jesse Pearson, with a style somewhat similar to Ivory Joe Hunter, sells this touching ballad with warmth. It could get coins." Of "Some Enchanted Evening," Billboard said, "Jesse Pearson comes thru with an interesting reading of the familiar Rodgers and Hammerstein tune.")

Next Stop, Paradise b/w Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes (Decca 31117, 1960)
(Billboard said of "Next Stop, Paradise," "Strong piece of material, which was out a few years ago, receives a first-rate reading by the chanter, over backing with a beat by the ork. Side has a chance. Watch it." Of "Thinking Tonight of My Blue Eyes," Billboard said, "The familiar standard is sung neatly here by the singer, accompanied by a chorus. Two listenable sides.")

One Last Kiss b/w By My Side (RCA Victor 8173, 1963)

I've Got a Feelin' I'm Falling b/w Talk to Me Baby (RCA Victor 8283, 1964)

Woody Guthrie's We Ain't Down Yet (Cream CR-7609, 1976)



Albums 

Bye Bye Birdie original soundtrack (RCA Victor LSO-1081, 1963)

The Glory of Love (RCA Victor, unreleased, 1963)

The Sea LP (San Sebastian Strings; narrated by Jesse Pearson) (Warner Bros. WB 1670, 1967)

Home to the Sea (San Sebastian Strings; narrated by Jesse Pearson) (Warner Bros./Seven Arts WS 1764, 1968)

Walt Whitman's the Body Electric (Rod McKuen; narrated by Jesse Pearson)

The Soft Sea LP (San Sebastian Strings; narrated by Jesse Pearson) (Warner Bros. WB 1839, 1970)

The Body Electric-2: Walt Whitman's Timeless Words Set to Music (Rod McKuen; narrated by Jesse Pearson) (Discus DS 7005, 1970)

Woody Guthrie's We Ain't Down Yet LP (various artists; narrated by Jess Pearson) (Cream CR 1002, 1976)
(This various-artists LP featured artists such as Hoyt Axton, John Hartford, Ramblin' Jack Elliot, and Arlo Guthrie recreating the original Woody Guthrie Folkways album. Pearson narrated the part that actor Will Geer narrated on the original.)

And Jesus Said... LP (Jaime Mendoza Nava; narrated by Jess Pearson) (Mark I MI-S-102, 19??)

Meditations in Psalms (Jaime Mendoza Nava; narrated by Jess Pearson) (Mark I ??, 19??)


Filmography


See Pearson's pages on the Internet Movie Database for a complete list of his television and film appearances. 

43 comments:

  1. A very interesting story about Jesse Pearson... The musical scene in Bye Bye Birdie ; A lotta Livin To Do' is one of the greatest in the history of musicals ... RIP Jesse Pearson

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    1. I totally agree and i dont think it can get any better than that. Makes me wish i kept up with my dance lessons :) i do love his number. "honestly sincere" byrdie is the only time I've seen him in a film...he really did shine, i wish there was more.

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    2. The Late Jesse Pearson was brillant in the Lead role of Conrad Birdie inthe iconic Movie "Bye Bye Birdie"...one of the greatest Musicals of all time in my opinion...He will always and forever be remembered for his unforgettable portrayal of Birdie...didn't know much about him biographically until now...so very sad he died way before his time RIP to a great Actor, singer and entertainer !

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    3. Well said....Nice post from a big fan of this film....!

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  2. Byrdie ws one of my favorite musicals as a very young girl about 10 or 11 when I first saw it just a few years after the making. I was wondering, "where is this awesome talent, so tall and good looking? Why wasn't he around longer?" Now i know...it's too bad he died so young. Thanks for the information

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  3. Does anyone know what Jesse pearsons height was?

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  4. It would be really nice and appreciated if more photos of Jesse pearson were available online.

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  5. I have always loved Bye Bye Birdie. I am happy to read he had a successful life, if all be it short, after this movie and seems to have been well liked.

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  6. Thank you for putting together a great article! Enjoyed reading it!

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  7. Thank You for your story . Jesse ( Bobby Wayne ....a Family name ) was my Fathers cousin . I grew up hearing stories about Him and His tragically short life . He looks like Family and I delight in seeing Him when I watch Bye Bye Birdie . I remember receiving His "Sea Albums" from my Grandmother as a child . He was a lot of fun and definitely cool before it was cool !

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  8. As mentioned, Mr. Pearson worked with Jaime Mendoza Nava as narrator on two religious albums and the 'Norseman.' His wonderful rich voice and dramatic sense added much to all three projects. The religious albums - both music and narration - are particularly inspiring.

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  9. I ALWAYS LIKED JESSE IN BYE BYE BIRDIE BUT THOUGHT HE WAS MUCH MORE TALENTED THAN THE MOVIE I ENJOY THE BACKROUND STORIES OF HIS LIFE AND SO SAD THAT HE PAST AWAY SO YOUNG GOD BLESS AND RIP

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  10. Background stories- could you please forward some? Thanks!

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  11. Thought he was a great singer and quite stunnily handsome.His life ended way to early.I think as he progressed,his career would have ended with great credits.Bless you and rest in peace.

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  12. The best Conrad Birdie ever! Watch as a child and continue to watch as a retire adult. RIP Conrad Birdi, you were the best!

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  13. RCA or Sony should release the album Glory of Love. Jessie Pearson had a prodigious singing and spoken voice.The rehearsal of One last Kiss on the cd is fantastic. if this essay had been used in the film, Jesse's success would have been huge, much bigger, I'm sure

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    1. If this CD is ever released, count me in.
      Thank you so much for this linking to post. Not enough is available regarding Mr. Pearson.

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    2. The cd I mean is the one with thes songs of the movie bye bye birdie. The rehearsal of the one last kiss was released only on the cd, not in the lp, the album of 1963. I didn't make clear before. Another sensational record of Jesse is his recriation of Next stop paradise. The first singer of this song is very good, but Jesse was fantastic.

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  14. Would like to hear it for sure!

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  16. Another excellent work by Jesse Pearson is on the album "we ain't down yet" in honor of Woody Guhtrie made in 1976, in which Jesse, with the name reduced to Jess, reads Woody's Chronicles and then Arlo Guhtrie and other singers sing songs tuned with the chronic read. In the song America seems to me that Jesse (or Jess) sings with the choir in a very low tone, with a little alteration of the melody on the word America.

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  17. Thank you, Mr, Mann. On the subject, yesterday I send a email to Sony, who owns the RCA, asking to release the album The glory of Love by Jesse Pearson in honor of his loving memory after forty years os his death. Maybe, if more people ask, Sony/RCA will think favorably.

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  18. If you want to ask to Sony/RCA to release the album The glory of Love recorded by Jesse Pearson, you could try sent a message in this link
    using the subject legacy records. Perhaps work
    https://www.sonymusic.com/feedback/

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  19. The Jesse Pearson Memorial Film Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 1995 through the estate of Edna N. Pearson in memory of Jesse Pearson, son of Edna and Jesse Pearson. This fund benefits students from Texas or Louisiana who are majoring in speech communication and show potential for success in film studies.

    https://www.baylor.edu/sfs/index.php?id=937108&s=6121

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  21. Jess (Jesse) Pearson did the Pharaoh on the musical Joseph and the amazing technicolor dreamcoat, by Andrew LLoyd Webber in 1976/1977.
    link to a picture of Jess
    http://levyarchive.bam.org/Detail/objects/51130

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  22. Great pic !!! Never knew about this ! Thanks for posting !

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  23. I can only imagine that one of the reasons there is not more out there about him is that he probably tried to live a "down low" lifestyle. Even though it's a lot easier for a person to be "out" these days, in the sixties and seventies, it was a lot harder, especially for a country boy from Louisiana with "fiery evangelists" in his family. Even though you move away, that doesn't mean you don't take it with you. And even though he probably moved in a circle that accepted his lifestyle, he probably didn't want things getting in the press that would get back to his mother. Although after he had been diagnosed with cancer and went back to Louisiana to be near his mother as he neared the end, he took his "partner" with him. And at that time in the late 70s in Louisiana, that would have been a scandal.

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    1. Makes sense. Rod Mckuen said on his blog that Jesse was a little more than complicated man, despite being very good at work, that he wanted to please. Strange facts: his 1964 album (glory of love) was never released, Jesse asked for his name not to appear on the album covers with poems by rod mckuen (who were bestsellers) and to have become an award-winning author and porn movie director who set a new standard. Makes sense.

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  24. Always love hearing info about Jesse...! Never forgotten...

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  25. Jesse Pearson were nominated twice for the Grammy Awards, in 1969 and 1970, for spoken Songs.
    https://www.grammy.com/grammys/artists/jesse-pearson/13610

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  26. Just watched Bye Bye Birdie for probably the 100th time. Had to know more about Jessie Pearson and found this Blog. When I first saw this as a teen, I thought the Conrad Birdie character was TOO OLD to play the part of a 19 years old Elvis like draftee. Now, 40 years later, as I watch all I can think is "GOD DARN THAT CONRAD BIRDIE WAS SO HOT AND SEXY!!!" Now I can link to GOT A LOT OF LIVING TO DO on Youtube and watch it whenever I need a JOLT of happiness in my life. LOVE YOU JESSIE! YOU HAVE BROUGHT ME MUCH JOY IN MY OLD AGE! RIP.

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  27. Thank you for all this info; was shocked that he died of cancer back in 1979 (was saddened to hear that).

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