The Beatles
The Beach Boys
The Bee Gees
The Moody Blues
The Rolling Stones
The Turtles
The Byrds
The Mamas and the Papas
Joni Mitchell
Carole King
Stevie Wonder
Lionel Richie
Neil Diamond
Bob Dylan
Simon and Garfunkel
Roy Orbison
Buddy Holly
Sounds Like
The Beach Boys
The Bee Gees
The Moody Blues
Roy Orbison
Buddy Holly
Richard Potter
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Shameless Self-Promotion Department
If you would like to hear other songs I've written, then please visit my other MySpace site: Richard Potter Songs on MySpace.
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If you would like to have an "Oh, George" t-shirt of your very own, please check out the George Reeves Forever Store at CafePress.com. No well-dressed George Reeves fan should be without one! (All proceeds will go to the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation.)
If you're on a Mac, then you can click here to directly access "Oh, George" at iTunes and click here to directly access "Noel".
The Richard Potter song "Oh, George" is available on the GEORGE REEVES DOUBLE FEATURE DVD available from VCI Entertainment!
Click >> HERE to order the DVD from Amazon.com
Local Software Developer and Avid Superman Fan Gets His Christmas Wish When His Tribute Song to George Reeves Soars on Amazon.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Raleigh, NC -- December 20, 2006 -- First time songwriter Richard Potter finds success and airplay when his 1950's inspired tune “Oh, George!” hits the big time.Richard Potter was like millions of boys who tuned into the 1950's TV hit, the “Adventures of Superman.” George Reeves' portrayal of the title character impacted each of them – but, to Potter, this Superman became his idol, his father figure, and his definition of what character stood for – Truth, Justice, and the American way.
The loss of Reeves impacted this young lad far more than anyone knew. Fifty years later, the grown-up Potter felt compelled to put his feelings into words that became a song titled “Oh, George!” When Potter heard Reeve's story was being made into a Hollywood thriller, this 50-ish husband and father from Raleigh hit the streets to find someone who would share his vision and help him put his words into song.
Renowned Grammy nominated producer John Custer heard about Potter and turned his spiral notebook scribbled lyrics into a 1950's sentimental ballad. The song has been recognized on the official George Reeves Web sites The Adventures Continue and Glass House Presents and was recently included in a DVD “George Reeves Double Feature” that showcases two of his old films, “Thunder in the Pines” and “Jungle Goddess”.
Although the song expresses the despair millions of his fans felt when we heard the news that he had killed himself, it ends on a note of hope. Thanks to Custer's superb production, the song has a very cool 1950's pop/rock feel to it.
If you'd like to hear "Oh, George", you may do so by visiting Potter's "George Reeves Forever" website: www.GeorgeReevesForever.com.
To view a fully formatted version of this release plus all the latest headlines, visit TrianglePR.com. Triangle PR - 2721 McNeil Street, Raleigh, NC 27608 - phone: 919.740.3008
About the song
"Oh George"
-- written and performed by Richard Potter
This song expresses my reaction to the news that
George Reeves had allegedly killed himself. I grew up watching the Adventures of Superman on TV in the 1950’s and when I learned that Reeves had supposedly committed suicide, I was crushed. George really was -- and still is -- my hero.
Some folks have informed me that they don’t like my song because it makes the assumption that George really did kill himself.
They correctly point out that, given the evidence and the circumstances surrounding his death, there is good reason to doubt the suicide verdict.
All I can say to those people is, I am very sorry if I have offended you. Despite what you might think, the song is not making any claims about how George Reeves died.
Rather, the song expresses how it made me feel to be told that my hero, Superman, had killed himself.
It also attempts to communicate how much I loved George Reeves as Superman. In many ways, George was not only my hero, but a father-figure as well.
To the extent that my song makes any kind of statement, it would be the thought expressed by the lyrics at the end. Rather than dwell on the way a loved one died, I believe it is better to remember that person for how they lived and what they meant to you and to others. Thus, I choose to remember George in his prime, leaping out of the window of the Daily Planet storeroom and flying off into the sky.
Intro: (spoken) “In the endless reaches of the universe,
there once existed a planet known as Krypton,
a planet that burned like a green star in the distant heavens…” “…The police have warned everyone to remain in their homes...” “…This looks like a job for Superman...” “…Take heed – this is your last warning…” “...This is your last warning…” “...This is your last warning.” “…Up in the sky – look, it's a bird, it's a plane. It's – “
George, how could you do it?
Didn't you know I always looked up to you?
Oh, George, how could you do it?
Didn't you know you'd break my heart right in two?
For little boys need their guns, their bows and arrows.
They need their mothers and their fathers and their heroes.
Now I heard it said, “The hero never dies.”
But I guess that we both know, that was a lie.
Oh, George, in order to see you,
I used to run home every day after school.
For you represented everything I admired.
And I was the opposite, the loser, the fool.
And that's why I'm sure you just can't imagine my disappointment.
I turned you on, and yet, you failed to keep our appointment.
Instead, on the screen were the gun and the booze.
And then that man came on to tell me…
(spoken) “This is the news. Superman kills himself.
Details at 6 o'clock.”
“Oh…no!”
Take me in your arms and fly me,
Fly me through the sky.
In my head I know it's not for real,
But I don't mind. ‘Cause even though you're up on wires,
You still look great to me.
And in my heart I know that you're
As real as real can be.
You know you're welcome to drop in anytime.
Oh, George, you know, sometimes the hardest thing
Is knowing what else to cling to without feeling bereft.
Well, if I could I'd like to, I would like to remember you,
Just as you were the day before you left.
‘Cause then you're going to the storeroom.
And Lois wonders why,
You're taking off your glasses
And loosening your tie.
Well we both know you've got to,
Yes we both know you've got to,
Yes we both know you've got to
-- Fly!
Reaction to "Oh, George"
The Forbidden Zone was very generous to me by initially hosting my song on the web. My deepest thanks to my friend, Roger Alford, webmaster and fellow Superman fan, for not only setting up the webpage for “Oh, George” on his site but also for encouraging me to follow my dream and get my song produced.
I was truly honored when the premiere George Reeves website, Glass House Presents, placed a link to my song on their site. My special thanks to Carl and Leslie Glass, proprietors (and two of the nicest people in the world!).
The Superman Homepage actually played my song towards the end of their Radio K.A.L. podcast, Show 19 on July 26, 2006. This was a thrill for me. My thanks to Steve Younis, Editor in Chief. The Superman Super Site was kind enough to make my song their Featured Download starting in July through September 2006. Thanks to Neil A. Cole, owner.
Last but not least, special thanks to Jim Nolt and Lou Koza, former editor and current editor, respectively, of The Adventures Continue. I am very proud that TAC has placed a link to my song on their site.
Long before the internet came along, I collected every issue of the original Superman fanzine, The Adventures Continue, first published by Don Rhoden in 1988 and later by Jim Nolt. I will never forget how delighted I was to discover the existence of this publication -- for it meant that I was not alone in being an adult who still loved George Reeves and the Adventures of Superman.
Comments about "Oh, George"
Several folks have emailed me their comments about the song. Here are some quotes:
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"That was a very touching tribute. You singing? very nice, very moving. Like you, like many, as a boy learning that George Reeves has supposedly killed himself really stunned me. He was, to so many a youngster, "SUPERMAN."
I've always been reluctant to believe in conspiracy theories but the more I heard about his suicide the more I tended to question it. Maybe he did, but there's certainly a few reasons to question it. Does it make me feel better to believe it was a murder? I'm not sure. In any case, your tribute was lovely, heartfelt and touching. Thank you so much for sharing."
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"Great song. Love the tune."
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"Your song is reminiscent of an early period of rock and roll, taking me back to the late 50's and early 60's before the Beatles rose. It is very fitting for the George Reeves era of Superman."
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"I loved your song. It really moved me. What a wonderful addition to the tributes for George."
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"I just listened to Oh George. Very moving - I liked it. It is clear there is a strong Moody Blues influence in your style, story and mood. It is also apparent in the changing and building rhythm."
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"How lovely! It is a very poignant and personal tribute."
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"Very cool!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Beautiful voice."
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"Wow. Nicely done...Your song has a great '50s feel, and the ending actually transcends your subject matter and is really inspiring and superb. Congratulations!!!"
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"If I didn't know already how much Superman meant to you, one listen to this would have told me. You're a good singer, too!"
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"I enjoyed your song very much. George Reeves was just before my TV watching days, but I remember the confusion that his death caused. Perhaps if he had heard your song before he took his life he would have reconsidered."
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"Richard! This is incredible! The song, your voice ... everything! I will love George Reeves until the day I die! I grew up watching him everyday too! You will have a special place in heaven for this precious tribute ... God bless."
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"Well it's the best memorial tribute I could ever have imagined for George ... truly ... you are a wonderful singer and writer ... and I am sure George is smiling on you right now."
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"Thank you so much for sending us your original song, "Oh, George." It captures the intense feelings you must have felt as a child learning about your hero's untimely death. Fred and I were very touched by it. You not only captured the feelings you must have felt, but the 1950's era. You are quite a talented man ... very creative with a beautiful voice!
If it is any consolation to you, we strongly feel that George did NOT commit suicide. He was not the type, nor did he have the mindset for it."
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"I want to share this with you. I will never forget that day in june 1959. I was 8 and I remember my dad coming home with a newspaper. I was dressed in my Superman costume that I was given for my birthday that April. He came up tp me and told me, “Son, I got to tell you something. Superman won't be playing on TV anymore.” I said, “Why?” He told me, “Superman died earlier today. I'm sorry son.”
I cried for days, not eating or sleeping. I couldn’t believe that my best friend and hero was gone. The world seemed like a bad place without Superman in it. The next day at school all the other kids were like zombies. We were all in a trance.
Richard, have you ever seen that photo of a 7 year old holding a newspaper and wearing his Superman outfit? That photo, and your song, tell the world how, as kids, we felt when our hero died.
This is a tribute straight from the heart. It's a song that represents all of us young Superman fans. Your song will go down in history as ''the song'' for all George Reeves fans. God bless you for this unique and loving tribute."
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"Your song reminds me of A Day in the Life."
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"It's a masterpiece."
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"Thanks for adding to the legacy of George Reeves."
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(This one is my personal favorite)
"I was taking my garbage can out to the curb and I realized I was humming a tune -- it was Oh George. Man, it's catchy!"
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Thanks to everyone for your wonderful feedback!
---Richard Potter
“George Reeves Double Feature” DVD
featuring "Oh, George"
by Richard Potter
On December 12, 2006, Kit Parker Films in conjunction with VCI Entertainment released the “George Reeves Double Feature” DVD, featuring two of George's old films, “Thunder in the Pines” and “Jungle Goddess.” "Oh, George" was included as one of the special extras on the DVD!
On September 28, 2006, I was interviewed about my song and George Reeves on the WSUI Iowa Public Radio program, “Talk of Iowa.” CLICK HERE to listen to the interview.
Scroll down until you see the calendar for September and click on the 28th. The interview starts about 24.5 minutes into the broadcast. (You may need to install Real Player.)
On January 10, 2007, David Menconi, music critic for the Raleigh News & Observer, wrote about my song in his column, “On the Beat.” CLICK HERE to read the review.
About Richard Potter
Age: 54
Born: 8 February 1953
Birthplace: Hartley, Iowa
Status:
Married
In my misspent youth, I received a PhD in philosophy from Brown University. Once I finally realized that it's rather important to have a job, I went back to school and earned a MS in computer science from UNC-Chapel Hill. Over the past several years, as time and my schedule have permitted, I've completed 18 hours of graduate level mathematics courses from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Interests:
Superman
Songwriting
Martial Arts: Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Taijiquan
Scuba Diving
Mathematics Secret Identity:
Mild-mannered director of research and development for a software company in Cary, NC. Accomplishments:
First degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
PADI certification for Advanced Open Water scuba diving. (So far, the deepest I've gone has been to 110 feet and that was deep enough.)
This site is in no way affiliated with DC Comics, Warner Bros., Focus Features, NBC Universal, the estate of George Reeves, or any other entity involved in the production of Superman and George Reeves films, TV shows, and related materials. This is a non-profit site run for the sole purpose of providing information and entertainment, and is not intended to infringe upon any copyrights.
