Gene Hughes (The Casinos) "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" - His Final Performance

May 31, 2003 at the Ray Peterson benefit in Springfield TN. Written by John D. Loudermilk, this was Gene Hughes final public performance before suffering severe injuries from an auto accident. Backup band: Steve Jarrell and the Sons of the Beach. Videographer and producer: Skip Woolwine. Still photos provided by Gene's wife Lynnette. This video was presented at a rock n roll tribute celebrating Gene's life in 2004 in Nashville. Nashville's Fox 17 News obit follows the video.

[@darrellhughes1639]

My uncle was a wonderiful uncle and dad and man all around even a wonderiful singer i have alot of wonderiful memories of him..Thanks everyone for the wonderiful comments! :-)

[@L4stMinuteHero]

I know this is probably a shot in the dark since your comment is almost seven years old, but did your uncle know a Jack Burch? I was referred to Gene Hughes by someone on another forum saying he was a contact for a certain record label that related to Gene, but that's as far as the lead went. I came across a cassette tape that has ten songs from Jack Burch on it but there is no information as to what it is, where it was recorded, and where it was released. Looking around for any information I can find. My condolences on your uncle's passing.

[@KenKoenigMusic]

This song will go to the grave with me...Love!!!!!

[@fifee.a.3340]

This was my favorite song from those days. It was my senior year. What a wonderful slow dance for those sweet days. I was with my husband in New Orleans many years later and asked a band if they knew it. Not only did they , but they were happy to do it for me. They sounded almost like the original. It brought tears to my eyes!

[@Care960]

Mine too

[@MrGandharva108]

I got a chance to meet and talk with Gene while working on a PBS Doo Wop Special with him. I was so happy that I was able to tell him how much I loved his voice and that beautiful record. God Bless you Gene.

[@EarleYetter]

RIP, Gene. Thanks for the great music.

[@Colt-ii4qn]

The ultimate slow dance song 🎵 Thank you Gene 😀 R.I.P. 🙏🏻

[@deloresbarbour7740]

One of my all time favorites!!!!

[@prestonmardenborough9660]

I was a huge fan of Gene and The Casinos!!! A fantastic guy with a group to match!!! Wish you were here now gene!!! RIP!!!

[@dunskie]

One of the great singers and songs. Thanks Gene. Peace.

[@user-eb5um1ul1i]

Mr Gene Hughes respect and God bless you Mr RIP.....

[@ryanchin9231]

this song will always be an oldie but goodie.. RIP..

[@zackhughes9663]

Thank you so much for making this video. I’m actually his grandson and sadly don’t remember the time that I was able to spend with him. I was 4 years old when this performance took place and it was truly a treasure to see all those photos that I’ve sadly never gotten access to. So thank you so much

[@davidhughes2718]

How are we related sir? I’m Norman’s grandson

[@zackhughes9663]

@@davidhughes2718 I’m Gene Hughes JR’s son

[@davidhughes2718]

Great!! So you guys have lots of pictures? Or maybe Im misunderstanding. If you do I’d love to see what you have of all of them ofc. I hear about these people from my dad all the time and I’d like to match a face with the names

[@zackhughes9663]

@@davidhughes2718 Let’s find another way to communicate other than the comments here 🤣 do you have Facebook?

[@davidhughes2718]

I do not, instagram maybe?

[@paulsmith3778]

Thank you Gene for this wonderful song.

[@glenngallup5163]

What a special time it was,

[@joliver1947123]

My favorite slowsong

[@deloresbarbour7740]

Mine, too!

[@bootsnsaddle8289]

MAN !! I'm SO sorry to hear of this. I was just now, telling my grandson about the Casinos. So, I looked them up & learned of his Passing. 17 yrs too late. SO SORRY !!

[@OnlinecasinoscanadaCaVIP]

I love the old doo-wop songs. Recently, I watched A Bronx Tale that has all of those kinds of songs. Oldies, but goodies!

[@santinoc.1239]

Man I cry so hard Everytime I see one of these artist die so tragic . I sing this song for my mom. .... And I'm only 40yrs old . But I have an old soul . I gotta wipe my tears I can't see the screen .

[@jacka9281]

RIP Glen I miss the times we got to sing together.

[@reisnicki]

one of the great lead voices in the era. You can tell the accident hurt him , but he still WAS ONE OF THE GREATS. kEEP SINGING UP THERE gENE, WE CAN HEAR YOU!!

[@michaelcollums4197]

Gene was 67 here, he never lost his voice, this was when singers were singers, and men were men pure talent.

[@jimroberts7953]

I worked for Gene when he opened the "CASINO" a nightclub on Walnut Street, downtown Cincinnati. He, me and his wife Peggy would frequent the Travelodge in Newport, Ky for breakfast after the club closed. Miss the good times we had.

[@L4stMinuteHero]

Did you know a Jack Burch?

[@jimroberts7953]

@@L4stMinuteHero No...didn't know Jack Burch.

[@normahamilton1772]

Love this song! My father has a band and he still sings this song! Thank you for posting this timeless classic.

[@cynthia6637]

Oh Yessss... 1967...

[@extramile150]

wonderful...

[@smoky3132]

I saw the Casinos sing this love in 1967 at the Blue Fox in Monongahela, Pa. Great!!

[@Montery12]

“Then you can tell me goodbye” written by John D. Loudermill and sung by Gene Hughes. Issues could be taken care of only if both people are sincere and truthful to one another. I think the most coveted relational “trophies” in this song would be those as “Kiss me each morning..,” “Hold me each evening..,” and “Soften my dreams…”

[@keithsmith7321]

I love this song and Gene Hughes sang it better than anyone!

[@carolynramos2573]

I love all the songs they sing .good for slow dance

[@cards1985]

Great great song.

[@sharkfinz6]

this mans voice never changed or faltered-perfection til the end!!

[@eddie054]

His voice was still on the money.

[@vincenzotesoro4211]

The dude still got it one of the greatest songs ever done ever written he must really love that girl

[@ahall8908]

My respect, great song!!! ❤

[@crockettmcgarrity7515]

Just a haunting love song I used to sing that song at the open mics I hope he thinks I did a credible job give your love everything you've got for as long as you can then that ironic line if it don't work out you can tell me goodbye then but anyway you gave it a lifetime so I guess we're stuck with each other beautiful

[@billreichert9156]

One of my ALL time favorites

[@corinnebrule1311]

Beautiful voice!

[@jamesbailey1175]

rip. gene. hughs!

[@tinaarmor1516]

My sister's ex-father-in-law my sister is now passed away rest in peace Michelle rest in peace mr. Hughes

[@tinadavis8534]

Very nice. Johnny Nash sang this song in 1964 so beautifully sung, check it out

[@phaya6724]

love it

[@rangijagtar]

awesome......

[@josephseremak87]

Sweeten my coffee with a morning kiss...............................

[@HelloooThere]

we only have sweet and low...what'll it be?

[@rickallen9864]

Just awesome.

[@tobyhall7704]

GRT SONG! ONCE U HAVE A VOICE U ALWAYS HAVE ONE!

[@phaya6724]

R.I.P gene

[@whnook]

Great singer, great song.

[@skipwool]

Thank you for your post. Two groups using the same name is not uncommon, for example, the Guess Who (Canada) and the Guess Who (England). These photos and that information were provided directly to me by his family. I was told that they were not the "Capris" for long, and that it was due to the fact there was another group at that time with the same name. Either way, the Casinos did call themselves the Capris in their early years in Cincinnati.

[@walkergillette3918]

England is not the Guess Who, it is just The Who

[@14canadiangal]

What a FABULOUS SONG....THE CASINOS DID IT BEST...JUDY

[@marysalvi242]

@skipwool so sad about the auto accident and his passing. 💖 So, I'm thinking I was a kid and this song came out in the 50's, hmm. So, I was actually 19 years old...nooooo, maybe I heard it by some others even because I do remember what house I was living in at the time of hearing this song. I have an older brother & sister and my mother would have the radio on when she had a day off from work. Hmmm, yeah, because I was into the Beatles and folk music by Jr High. Anyway, this is a beautifully written song and yes, Gene's voice along with The Casino's harmonies, is THEE version.

[@TG-ix9id]

Song is from 1967.

[@sinceunati]

Cincinnati!!!

[@bass4pro]

The Best 👏👏👏👏👏👏🙏🙏🙏

[@MrRoadster100]

Easily one of the best songs from that era. I saw them perform it live on-stage in '69 or '70. They were the house band at a place called "The Tiki Club" at Springdale Rd and Colerain Ave in Cincinnati, OH, in the late '60s.

[@fidenciapalacios9432]

Sad moments lost my husbandeeloverd

[@josephavery5335]

Love singing ot at karaoke 🎤

[@zzzut]

Life is too short. Skip to 0:55.

[@skipwool]

There is no IF about it. The Casinos WERE called the Capris for a VERY SHORT time when they first started performing. We have the photos to prove it, and confirmation from his family. They changed their name to the Casinos as soon as they heard the OTHER Capris on the radio. Don't know if they recorded anything under their old name or not, likely not.

[@carolynramos2573]

Tell me you love me sing it

[@tomfalls4035]

Gene and Glenn Hughes and Bobby Smith were originals, don't remember the rest of the group

[@mikemoosehughes8895]

Skipwool is Correct...I am a Hughes...Gene is my 2nd cousin..My fathers first cousin. I heard tales of the band going under that name prior to getting their deal..

[@richardfoltz1663]

Actually, Gene would be your first cousin, once removed. Gene's children would be your second cousins.

[@irishlogan1]

Zack and Darrell, I'm Brenda your cousin. I'm from the Logan side. Gene was my cousin

[@geneblanchet5299]

I worked Bob Armsrong who play organ. Not sure of the years he was with the group.

[@tomfalls4035]

was Bobby Armstrong on the organ for this song

[@darrellhughes1639]

Yes its mary n darrell hughes we got alot of family on there

[@JB-wh3we]

Anyone know what happened in the car accident? So tragic, seemed llke he had a lot of life left to live

[@lewannehughes-harness194]

Darrell Hughes, your uncle,,,Gene, is my second cousin. Are you on FB? Would love to connect with you, please let me know!! Thanks, Lewanne

[@alexander9233]

Then you tell me good bye, Cliff side park public library, NJ

[@whnook]

I thought these guys were black. Love this song.

[@HelloooThere]

background too loud here...not great

[@lewannehughes-harness194]

Darrell, just send a message to you on FB,,went to your "Other" folder in the messages since we are not friends.

[@kaos2000s]

wow... i always thought the casinos were black

[@mesisson]

Same here!

[@VortexLady]

Seriously, I did too. The sound, melody, vibe, the voice... I did too. Lol

[@seizethedayandlive]

What??? Really? Don't know why but that thought had never occurred to me.... Doesn't matter; we can both agree that this song is unforgettable...

[@tomlynntigard]

I thought "Steam" was black, remember Na na hey hey kiss him goodbye?

[@retired42002vz]

@@tomlynntigard “Back in the day” that was the beauty & talent of so many vocal groups going back to the 50’s & the doo wop era. You could not tell their ethnic background by their voice. They all sounded great!!!

[@FunkyMarcel]

Capris...??????????????????

[@sweetvalleykid]

Despite what the beginning of this video claims, I can find NO evidence that "The Capris quickly became The Casinos" or were related to them whatsoever! The Capris originated in Queens, NY and The Casinos came from Cincinnati..