R.I.P.: Frankie Laine (1913-2007)

Many will remember Frankie Laine best for singing the Rawhide theme. ("Movin', movin', movin'/Though they're disapprovin'/Keep them doggies movin'/Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw-hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiide!") But others will cherish more dearly the utterly serious silliness of his rendition of Blazing Saddles -- a movie theme that, lest we forget, actually was nominated for an Academy Award. Legend has it that when Mel Brooks advertised in the trades for someone with a "Frankie Lane-type" voice to sing the the title tune, Lane himself showed up to audition for the gig. If that story isn't true -- it should be.