Gene Nelson (March 24, 1920 – September 16, 1996) was an American dancer, actor, screenwriter, and director.
Born Leander Eugene Berg in Astoria, Oregon, he moved to Seattle when he was one year old. He was inspired to become a dancer by watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers films when he was a child. After serving in the Army during World War II during which he also performed in the musical This Is the Army, Nelson landed his first Broadway role in Lend an Ear, for which he received the Theatre World Award. He also appeared on stage in Follies, which garnered him a Tony Award nomination, and Good News. Nelson's longtime professional dance partner during the 1950s was actress JoAnn Dean.
Gene Nelson co-starred with Doris Day in "Lullaby of Broadway" in 1951. He played Will Parker in Oklahoma! and also starred as Buddy in the 1971 Broadway musical Follies, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor. The iconic production featured a score by Stephen Sondheim and was co-directed by Michael Bennett (also choreographer) and Harold Prince (also producer); the cast also included Alexis Smith, Yvonne de Carlo, Dorothy Collins, Ethel Shutta, and John McMartin.
Wayland Eugene Nelson II (born December 3, 1960), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1981 to 1993. After beginning his career as a starting pitcher with the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, Nelson gradually converted to a relief role starting in 1983. He was a key member of the ace relief staff that helped propel the Oakland Athletics to three pennant-winning seasons from 1988 to 1990, frequently setting up Dennis Eckersley for his saves. Nelson posted a 1.57 ERA in 1990 and earned a 9-6 record in 1988. After seeing his performance slip in 1991 and 1992, he closed out his career in 1993 with a 3.12 ERA while pitching for the California Angels and Texas Rangers. Gene Nelson Boulevard, which leads to the Little League fields at John S. Burks Memorial Park in Dade City, FL, is named after Nelson, who grew up there. Gene Nelson is married.
"For You My Love" is a 1949 song written by Paul Gayten. The song was recorded the same year by Larry Darnell, who had his most successful release with his version of the song. "For You My Love" went to number one on the U.S. R&B chart and was Larry Darnell's debut release. In 1950, Nellie Lutcher and Nat King Cole released their version of the song, where it reached number eight on the R&B chart.
I do not sleep tonight
I may not ever
The sins of the past have come
See how they sit down together
Outside my window, outside my door
And I know the reason what they've all come here for
You my love, my sweet, sweet love
Are what it's all because of
Surrender is easy
I know you do me no harm
But your innocence haunts me
The most fatal of charms
Oh, I must have done some wrong
On a dark and distant day
For I know full and well tonight
This is how that I must pay
And you my love, my sweet, sweet love
Are what it's all because of
Oh, you my love, my sweet, sweet love