Legendary pop singer dead at 91: ‘He was the peoples’ man!’

EntertainmentRonnie Dove has died. (Advance/SILive.com | Bill Lyons)By Brian Linder | blinder@pennlive.comRonnie Dove‘s name might not ring a bell for many modern music fans, but there was a time when he was a big-time deal. Dove was a talented singer who churned out a string of pop music hits through the 1960s before pivoting to country, where he landed on the charts in the 1970s and 1980s, too. Dove died on Sept. 15, just eight days after celebrating his 91st birthday. His wife, Marty, shared the news on his Facebook page.“The love of my life is now at rest,” she wrote. “He passed peacefully this morning with me by his side. There will be no funeral. He will be cremated and in a few months I would like to have a Celebration of Life. Darlene or I will keep you informed of the arrangements. For now please know that Ronnie is in a better place.”WMAR 2 in Baltimore reported that the singer’s career began in the city. Dove was in the U.S. Coast Guard in the 1950s, and WMAR said he was stationed near Baltimore, so he began performing at clubs in the city. Dove’s first big breakthrough song was “Say You,” which hit No. 40 on the Billboard charts. He followed that with “Right Or Wrong” in 1965, and that made it into the top 20. Dove then charted five singles in 1965, and the hits kept coming. He released 14 albums during his career; the last, “From the Soul,” came earlier this year. “The Maryland music scene and beyond is a little less brighter today,” singer Dean Crawford wrote on Facebook. “The legendary Ronnie Dove has passed on leaving legions of fans and friends to mourn his passing. Ronnie was more than just an outstanding entertainer and incredibly gifted vocalist, he was the peoples man!! He was the most accessible entertainer I have ever met. 15 years ago, he inducted me into the Maryland Music Hall of Fame and I will always remember his words of wisdom to me. He said, ‘Dean, always remember the fans are the ones that gives us wings to fly’ and these are words I continue to live by. Thank you Ronnie for setting such high standards for all of us to follow and emulate. Condolences to his wife Marty and family. Fly high with the angels.” Brian Linder is the trending editor at PennLive.com. He has more than 20 years of experience working for newspapers first in South Carolina, then Daytona Beach, Florida and now in Pennsylvania. Linder spent...