What seems like an unlikely pair performed a beautiful duet during a tribute concert to Roy Orbison, who died in 1988.
Patrick Swayze and Larry Gatlin, who were good friends and had previously sung together, decided to perform their version of “Love Hurts”. Their once-in-a-lifetime performance came as a surprise to many.
But, the unlikely duo had a history.
“We’re good friends,” Gatlin shared in a CNN interview following Swayze’s death in 2009.
“I met him in 1986. I was in an elevator in Austin, Texas, for a fair. The elevator opened and I said, ‘Patrick Swayze. I love your acting.’ He said, ‘Larry Gatlin, I love your music and your songwriting.’ I said, ‘Let’s be friends.’ He said, ‘That’s a good idea.’ “
Country legend Larry Gatlin and Patrick Swayze wrote the song “Brothers” together, for the soundtrack of the Swayze movie, Next of Kin.
As far as music, Swayze is probably best known for the song “She’s Like the Wind”, written and performed for the movie “Dirty Dancing” — although I’ve never decided if that’s him singing (Wendy Fraser also sings the song and opinions vary).
That said, Swayze was a man of many talents. It wasn’t just singing and dancing, he could write and compose music and was a well-rounded musician!
Everybody should listen to this beautiful version of “Love Hurts” and remember Patrick Swayze for the amazing man that he was!
Please share if you think Patrick Swayze was a wonderful actor, dancer, and singer!
