Lorne Greene is best remembered as the wise and steady “Pa” Cartwright from the classic TV western Bonanza. But during the 1960s, he also surprised music fans with a #1 single. His deep voice, already familiar from television and radio, brought him unexpected success with the song “Ringo.” Though his music career was brief, that hit earned him a place among the most unique one-hit wonders in music history.
| Artist | Lorne Greene |
|---|---|
| Born | February 12, 1915 |
| Died | September 11, 1987 |
| Origin | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Spoken Word, Western, Country, Adult Contemporary |
| Years Active (Music) | 1963–1970s |
| Label | RCA Victor |
| Hit Song | “Ringo” (1964) |
| Peak Chart Positions | #1 Pop, #1 Easy Listening, #21 Country |
| TV Fame | *Bonanza*, *Battlestar Galactica*, *Roots* |
Early Life and Broadcasting Career
Lorne Greene was born Lyon Himan Green on February 12, 1915, in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, to Russian-Jewish immigrant parents. While studying chemical engineering at Queen’s University, he joined the school’s drama and radio club. That experience led him to discover a natural talent for voice work.
After graduation, Greene pursued a career in broadcasting. He joined the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) and quickly rose through the ranks. His clear, commanding voice earned him national attention. During World War II, he announced grim news reports with such solemnity that listeners began calling him the “Voice of Doom.” He also became known as the “Voice of Canada” for his authoritative delivery.
Transition to Acting
In the late 1940s, Greene shifted from radio to acting. He studied drama in New York and performed in several Broadway plays, including The Prescott Proposals and The Dark Is Light Enough. His stage presence and rich baritone voice made him a standout.
By 1955, Greene had also started appearing in television and film. He gained roles in shows such as Ford Television Theatre, Climax!, and Kraft Television Theatre, gradually building his reputation in the United States.
TV Stardom with Bonanza
Greene’s breakthrough came in 1959 when he was cast as Ben “Pa” Cartwright on Bonanza, one of America’s earliest color television series. The show followed the Cartwright family on the Ponderosa Ranch in Nevada. Greene’s role as the widowed father of three sons made him a household name.
Bonanza ran for 14 seasons, from 1959 to 1973. It became one of the most successful and longest-running Western series in television history. Greene remained with the show for its entire run, anchoring it with his calm and moral presence.
Music Career and One Big Hit
During the height of Bonanza’s popularity, RCA Victor and NBC saw an opportunity to promote the cast as recording artists. Greene released his first album, The Man, in 1963, featuring spoken-word songs and ballads.
In 1964, he released “Ringo,” a dramatic, spoken-word western ballad about a gunfighter named Johnny Ringo. Despite confusion with Ringo Starr of The Beatles, Greene’s “Ringo” had no connection to the British drummer. In fact, both artists happened to be rising in the U.S. around the same time.
“Ringo” surprised everyone by reaching:
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#1 on the Billboard Hot 100
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#1 on the Easy Listening chart
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#21 on the Country chart
The B-side of the single featured a vocal version of the Bonanza theme song. “Ringo” became one of the few spoken-word songs ever to top the pop chart, a rare feat.
Follow-up Releases
After “Ringo,” Greene released a few more tracks. None came close to the success of his big hit, but some still charted modestly:
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“The Man” – #72 Pop, #16 Adult Contemporary
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“Waco” – #50 Country, #35 Adult Contemporary
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“Five Card Stud” – #112 Pop, #36 Adult Contemporary
He continued releasing albums and singles into the 1970s, but public interest waned. Greene’s music career eventually faded, and he returned his focus to acting and narration.
Later Acting Roles
After Bonanza ended in 1973, Greene took on a variety of roles in television.
In 1973, he starred in Griff, a crime drama. He played Commander Adama in the sci-fi series Battlestar Galactica (1978–1979) and its sequel Galactica 1980. He also had a memorable part in the acclaimed miniseries Roots (1977), playing John Reynolds, a slave owner who raises Kunta Kinte’s daughter.
Greene continued to lend his voice to documentaries, commercials, and public service announcements. One of his most recognized projects was the Canadian nature series Lorne Greene’s New Wilderness, which aired from 1982 to 1987.
Personal Life
Lorne Greene married twice. He had twins—a son and a daughter—with his first wife, Rita Hands. He later married Nancy Deale, with whom he had another daughter.
He also became a U.S. citizen in his later years, although he retained a strong connection to Canada.
Death and Legacy
Greene passed away on September 11, 1987, at the age of 72, due to complications from surgery for a perforated ulcer. He died in Santa Monica, California, and was buried at Hillside Memorial Park in Culver City.
Though his music career was brief, “Ringo” remains one of the most unexpected chart-toppers in pop history. His deep, authoritative voice, already familiar to millions, made the song resonate.
Today, Lorne Greene is remembered primarily for his roles in Bonanza and Battlestar Galactica, but his name also holds a special place in one-hit wonder lore.
Discography (Selected)
Albums
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The Man (1965)
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Welcome to the Ponderosa (1965)
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Young at Heart (1965)
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American West (1966)
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Portrait of the West (1969)
Singles
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“Ringo” (1964) – #1 Pop, #1 Easy Listening, #21 Country
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“The Man” (1965)
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“Waco” (1966)
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“Five Card Stud” (1968)