Gene Allison, 69; Singer Had Three Hit Rhythm and Blues Songs

Gene Allison, 69, whose 1957 recording “You Can Make It if You Try” was a top five single on Billboard’s R&B; chart, died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville on Feb. 28. The cause of death was liver and kidney failure.

Versie Eugene Allison was born in Pegram, Tenn., and moved to Nashville as a child, where he started singing in church choirs. While still in high school, he performed as part of the gospel quartet the Fairfield Four.

Ted Jarrett, an entrepreneur and songwriter who produced dozens of Allison’s songs, including “You Can Make It if You Try,” told the Nashville Tennessean that Allison’s studio performances were emotional enough to draw tears.

“He has such beautiful phrasing,” Jarrett said. “He could take a note, drag it out and make it sound so pretty.”

Two other singles by Allison, “Have Faith” and “Everything Will Be All Right,” ended up in the R&B; Top 20. During the 1960s, Allison recorded for some independent labels but had no hits with those projects.

In 1964, “You Can Make It if You Try” was recorded by the Rolling Stones on their first album.