Celebrating the 60th anniversary of the beloved classic “Hurt So Bad” – a song that was a Top 10 hit for Little Anthony & The Imperials in 1965 – Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Little Anthony returns with an epic new version of the ballad that made him a household name. This time, he transforms it into a stirring duet with acclaimed pop-country singer and Broadway alum Brooke Moriber, creating a cross-generational blend of soul and country that feels both fresh and timeless.
Produced by Fred Mollin — the veteran producer behind acclaimed recordings for Johnny Mathis, Kris Kristofferson, Billy Ray Cyrus, Natalie Cole, and Dan Hill’s “Sometimes When We Touch,” as well as award-winning film and television work — this reimagined take on “Hurt So Bad” transforms the iconic track into a heartfelt conversation between two people watching each other move on while still longing for a second chance. Featuring lush instrumentation and soaring vocal harmonies, the duet captures the raw vulnerability of heartbreak while honoring the emotional intensity of the original.
The Imperials’ original “Hurt So Bad” was noted for its dramatic, pleading style, and Moriber and Little Anthony channel that spirit in a contemporary way. The result is a recording that feels at once nostalgic and new – as if the song itself has matured over 60 years, gaining even more emotional depth.
Recorded across some of Nashville’s most storied studios – including Sound Stage Studios and Zoomar Studios – “Hurt So Bad” brings together a world-class team of musicians and engineers. The production features contributions from Larry Paxton (bass), Greg Morrow (drums & percussion), Dale Herr, Kerry Marx, Justin Roller (guitars), Pat Coil (keyboards), and a sampled orchestra arranged by Larry Hall. The track was engineered and mixed by Dave Salley, with overdubs by Bryce Roberts, and mastered by Steve Fallone at Sterling Sound in NYC. The rich, polished Nashville production underpins the duet’s powerful vocals, seamlessly fusing Little Anthony’s classic soul tone with Brooke’s country-pop prowess.
Vocal arrangements were a true collaboration between Brooke Moriber and Little Anthony (Jerome Gourdine), blending the rich nostalgia of the original recording with a fresh emotional urgency. In call-and-response fashion, the two artists turn the song’s narrative into a dialogue – a conversation between past and present lovers.
This moving duet is more than just a tribute; it’s a testament to the timeless power of music to connect hearts across generations. Little Anthony’s soulful pleas and Brooke’s clear, impassioned vocals showcase how great songs transcend genres and eras. Their rendition of “Hurt So Bad” has the warmth of 1965 and the polish of 2025, appealing to fans old and new. The artists are eager to share this collaboration live – with hopes of performing it on legendary stages.
“Hurt So Bad” by Brooke Moriber x Little Anthony is available now on all streaming platforms. Listen now and experience how two distinctive voices, decades apart in age, can meet in the middle to revive a classic.
Listen/download now: https://vyd.co/HurtSoBad
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About Little Anthony:
Little Anthony (Jerome Gourdine) is a legendary R&B/soul vocalist who has captivated audiences for over six decades with his unmistakable falsetto and heartfelt performances. As the frontman of Little Anthony & The Imperials, he rose to fame in the late 1950s and ’60s with timeless hits like “Tears on My Pillow,” “Goin’ Out of My Head,” “Hurt So Bad,” and “I’m On the Outside (Looking In). His emotive vocal style helped shape the sound of doo-wop and soul, and his influence spans generations – earning him (and the Imperials) an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. Even today, Little Anthony continues to perform and record, proving that true musical artistry is timeless. The new “Hurt So Bad” duet finds him in prime form, bringing his decades of experience and passion to a song that has been a touchstone of his career.
About Brooke Moriber:
Brooke Moriber is a singer-songwriter and native New Yorker who has paved an unconventional path into Country music. After getting her start at a young age performing on Broadway (she landed the role of Young Cosette in Les Misérables at age 8), Brooke turned to songwriting as a teenager to cope with a life-altering challenge – she was diagnosed with a rare eye disease where she lost her sight for four years. When the disease went into remission after a difficult battle, she felt music had helped heal her and knew she wanted to tell her own stories. Brooke began traveling to Nashville, immersing herself in the songwriting community. Praised for her “clarion voice” (Associated Press), she released her first single “Cry Like A Girl” independently and later signed with Nashville’s Reviver Records to further develop her artistry.
Beyond her recording work, the former Broadway star turned country sensation is also the creator and host of the bi-monthly “Nashville in New York (NINY)” songwriters round series. In this series, Brooke brings a taste of Nashville to the Big Apple, curating intimate acoustic shows that blend established hitmakers with emerging talent. Notably, at a recent NINY show at The Bitter End in NYC, she performed alongside Little Anthony himself (marking a special meeting of musical eras) and rising country artist Charly Reynolds. Previous NINY nights have showcased talents such as American Idol alum Brennley Brown, songwriting legend Kara DioGuardi, viral star Calista Clark, folk icon Terre Roche, and members of the Six One Five Collective, among many others. The series has also featured top industry hosts like radio personality Kelly Ford and multi-platinum songwriter Sam Hollander, underscoring Brooke’s growing reputation as a connector in the music community.
For more information, follow Brooke at her website and socials:
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