I went to the Art Fair on the Square in Madison, WI. this weekend. There was a man sitting at a desk with an old portable Smith-Corona typewriter. He had a sign that said, "Pay anything you want, give me a topic and I will write a poem for you." Of course, I gave him Bobby Darin as a topic and the scanned image is the poem he wrote for me. Completely original! Best regards! Gail Glaze
I remember how excited I was when my mom bought me my first Bobby Darin album for my tenth birthday, the Ultimate Bobby Darin, and when she videotaped his A&E Biography the year before a few days after my birthday (my birthday is August 24th and the episode aired August 29, 2001).
How I discovered Bobby was through a sad event that happened in 2012, which was the death of Andy Williams. I like Andy Williams, along with the other balladeers/crooners like Frank, Vic Damone, Steve Lawrence, Nat King Cole, Matt Monroe, Johnny Mathis, etc. I started searching the Internet for news and articles about how and why Andy died. Bobby Darin started showing up in a lot of his TV shows and some of the articles on the Internet. I saw how great a performer he was. So, I got curious and decided to watch the movie Beyond the Sea (8 years after it had been released). I was hooked after that. I did not realize his enormous talents. He was not just a singer. He danced, he played several instruments, he was a songwriter, an actor, a comedian, a great impersonator, a celebrity with a social conscience. As a singer, he was so versatile, he could sing any genre of music and I must say he was great in all of them. I was surprised that he was a rapper too with his song "Bullfrog." He was so ahead of his time. He could even sing in foreign languages like Spanish ("Guantanamera"), French ("Milord") and German ("Schatten Auf Den Wegen" or "18 Yellow Roses.") I have not seen or heard any singer with that much talent and versatility.
Keith sings.
As a young aspiring actor/singer, Bobby Darin and so much about him serves as a guide to show biz, to life, to the arts and so much more. I can only hope I gain one moment of a career like his. If I do go where my heart is leading me, all credit due will go out to the world that Mr. Darin was and is a part of my success.
The saying “Mack” was his only number one hit, that is not correct because in Australia where I live “Multiplication” was number 1. That number stayed somewhere in the back of my mind all the years I was bringing up a family of 4 children.
My Name is Sepide i'm 16 years Old and i'm from Germany. I love Bobby because he is the Most Talented Person that I ever See. He is a all around Talent. I wish i could be more like him. I have so much to say about Bobby but im Not able to say it in english. I Hope You can understand me.
Bobby Darin (Walden Robert Cassotto) is the greatest man who ever lived. Bobby Darin itself is a magical name let alone how magical he was when he was alive.
My name is Alex and I am from Scotland in the UK and I am 16. I only discovered Bobby Darin by sheer luck last year on a CD of my granddads. I like all music but there's something about this man that seems so ... GREAT!
I'm a lifelong fan of Bobby Darin and when I was a kid it was his swaggering confidence that drew me as well as his music. Since then I have had such fun in discovering all the variety and versatility of his music. I love that he was not content to stay with one kind of music and sung so many styles of music so well.
I have been a fan of Bobby Darin's for such a long time. I never got to see him perform but watched him on tv. There are so many songs ... I always loved his singing. "Mack the Knife" is my favorite and I have "Beyond the Sea" as my ringtone!
I have loved Bobby since I first heard "Splish Splash" and I love that, anytime day or night I can enjoy his wonderful humor on stage via YouTube. He always puts a smile on my face. What a wonderful legacy. The movies I have shown my granddaughters. We all feel like Bobby and Sandra are family we have watched so many times. God took you home Bobby because he needed your humor. You are in our hearts forever.
"Once upon a time ... a man with joy in his eyes ... gave himself to the world ... and said that his life would be short ... But, that was once upon a time. Very long ago." Amy
I sing "Clementine" every chance I get at Karaoke, and I've downloaded
him on YouTube so I can watch him singing and dancing. He was the greatest performer, and I loved Sandra Dee,
they were so meant for each other.
I have the movie with Kevin Spacey performing as Bobby Darin, and what a great job he did playing Bobby.
I am in the process of writing a song to remember Bobby, Nat, Frank, Patsy, etc. and I hope someone would be
interested in recording this song for me, so we can all remember how great they all were, but in my eyes
Bobby Darin was the greatest ever.
And it saddens me to know that he passed away at such a young age before he could give us more GREAT songs.
I love you Bobby!
But it was really only just a few years ago when I was up in the middle of the night despondent in the middle
of a life crisis, wandering around on the Internet when I found the youtube clip of Bobby's Ed Sullivan
appearance singing Mack. Two hours later, I was still completely engrossed and far into the suggested clips
youtube offers you! I was able to hear something besides my own sobbing and feel something besides my own
pain. I couldn't find a single CD at the sole remaining music store in the city, but got busy building my collection
from Amazon. Every CD was a revelation after that - That's All, Two of a Kind, Darin at
the Copa, Dr. Doolittle - and then the impeccable and ignored Direction albums. Pure brilliance.
He didn't exactly save my life - he gave me back my life. I defy anyone to put on "Sunday in New York" and not
feel better instantly. Later, as I healed, he helped me begin to feel again. There is nothing I can give him in
return - I can't even give him thanks and that breaks my heart.
But I do make sure that every single person I know and meet knows how my life was put back together - with Bobby
Darin's help and to a soundtrack that always feels that he sang it just for me.
Celebrate his birthday on May 14 - turn someone on to a song and have a hot fudge sundae in his honor! Those
of you who know the story will know how much he'd appreciate that.
Through listening to his songs I became entranced with his voice and the passion that flowed out each note of each
song he sang. When I first saw a recording of Darin live on stage I cried. Tears of joy leapt from my heart and happiness
pulsed in my veins. Once I learned of his story and read Dodd's book, my admiration for Bobby grew exponentially.
Being one who struggles on a daily basis with a disease that will most likely take my life in the end, and one that
has weakened my heart, his strength and refusal to give up inspires me to give everyday my all and not let something
like pain or weakness of body weaken my spirit and drive.
I began playing piano at 3, flute at 10, drums at 11, and guitar at 12. Darin has become a hero to me, not just as
a musician, but as a social leader, songwriter, performer, and as a human being.
Now, at 25, I have a collection of over 300 Darin recordings, steadily growing collection of DVD's, his films, stage
performances and documentary pieces produced. His music fills me with admiration and willpower. His spirit flows
through me and inspires me on a daily basis. His love for his art and dedication to his craft gives me the strength
to power through the toughest of circumstances.
This past March, I took a trip and finally did something I have been wanting to do for many years now. I got a tattoo
dedicated to Bobby and his memory.
It's something that all of you fellow Darin fans out there will recognize and know, but I made sure it was also
something that people feel inclined to ask about. And when they ask who Bobby Darin is, I then have the opportunity
to tell another person about the amazing heart, passion, and talent of a man who was taken from this world far too soon.
A man who left behind a legacy and creative library that could never be appreciated enough.
Thank you and blessings to all the people out there keeping Darin's memory alive.
I buy all of his CDs and DVDs I can get my hands on.
I really love and respect him for his talent, his honesty and his love for his son. I tell people I only
loved two men in my life, and they are both in heaven, my husband and Bobby Darin.
My favorite song is HAPPY. I had a hard time finding this MOTOWN CD. It was expensive but worth every cent.
My other favorites are RAININ' and A WORLD WITHOUT YOU.
My parents owned one of those roadside diners where a jukebox played all day and night and teens of our town loved the place
we owned called The Dixie Diner when I was only three years of age, so I "grew up" with rock and roll music as part of my life
since a baby. Since OUR MUSIC was so special, like many of us baby boomers, I only need to hear the first three notes of a song
and I KNOW what is it. I know many of you are the same way.
I have all of Bobby's movies and like each one, comedy and drama. My three fav songs are "Rainin," "Dream Lover" and
"Beyond the Sea."
I admire his courage because as we all know, he carried such a heavy burden - knowing his life would be short - and NEVER went to
drugs or alcohol to "escape" (and who could have blamed him if he had) rather, he created himself and by thinking "life is what
you make it" ... and brought joy and laughter to many of his closest friends and gave his fans music that shall never die.
A determined young man, and determined to keep BD's name and music out there. Check out his 1st professional video, singing Bobby's "Jive." Thanks, Alex, for the update!
My name is Alex Bird, I am 18 years old and live in Toronto Canada. Since the tender age of two I have been involved in the world of Jazz music and the big band sound. I have been very privelleged in my life so far to have been to many concerts and clubs.
I have almost all his CDs including some rare uncut ones which are all just awesome!
Bobby was the king of what he did surpassing everyone around him cause he did what I want to do ... and that's multi-genre music. It
didn't matter what it was Bobby made it so awesome cause music was indeed what he was living for!
I'm going to try to bring back his style in my music and writing with a little bit of his voice style too. I'm having a hard
time getting anyone to help me record it and don't have any band members but I'll do what I can by myself.
The style I'm going to bring is going to put Bobby back on top like he belongs always! Music now is just too blah and he is long
overdue for a comeback, as long as I'm alive he will be too! Now if I could just find a band .......
Looking back over the years
There were times I am sure
You had a chance
Then a voice so small is heard
There was one thing that eluded you
But this plan was not your own
New loves came and went
Then one day you just walked away
Time has covered your footsteps
My son, 11, likes and is an expert on sharks because he heard me sing "Mack the Knife. I Love Bobby's Singing the
Standards. My 3 1/2 year old calls "Mack the Knife" THE SHARK SONG! My dad survived the operation Bobby didn't.
He died in '93 from other causes.
When I was thinking of becoming a singer, I was Bobby Floretine.
I miss Darin a lot these days. With the more modern music I still listen to Bobby's CD's and
my ipod is full to the brim with his songs. "A Simple Song of Freedom" could be released today because
it is relevant to these times that we live in.
I think he was a man born before his time. I would definately put him up there with the greats such as Sammy Davis Jr.
I think people like Kevin Spacey and British Singer Robbie Williams have done a great job in introducing Bobby's music to a
whole new generation of younger audiences, funny because I knew his music before a lot of my friend's did, they had never
heard of Bobby Darin much to my disbelief, until Beyond the Sea film was realeased. Then they became huge Bobby Darin
fans! I guess they were wondering what they had been missing!
He may be gone, but not his memory. His memory will last forever.
I remember his secretary Harriet Wasser ... Bobby was an entertainer ... if he were alive today ... he would be the BEST there is.
So talented ... he was able to dance ... sing ... act ... and a personality no one can beat. The best by far in the business.
I have an autographed picture of him ... signed to me ... I love him ... Bobby Darin is on the top of entertainers ... he is surely
missed. He is the best ... I truly adore him ... and when I hear "Mack the Knife" ... I could feel him ... I could hear him ...
his wink and smile took over me. I love him and miss his singing today ... I have all his records and play them all the time.
Today I was remembering how sad I was and how I cried when my mother woke me up to tell me that he passed away, when I was getting ready for
school. She and I enjoyed watching him on his summer variety show while my dad worked nights.
My husband purchased me two of his books a few Christmas' ago and I still pick them up and read them over and over again.
I wish I would have had the opportunity to see him perform in person, but I'm glad I am able to still watch him in old video clips
and DVDS - what a wonderful person he was!! He was able to beat the odds for a while and he always seemed to enjoy what he loved the
most - performing!!
I was listening to one of my many Bobby Darin CD's on my drive to work and was listening to one of my favorites - 18 YELLOW ROSES - what
a song - it brings me to tears every time I listen to it.
I can't believe he is gone 33 years - I'm so glad that people still want to listen to his music - and why not - it's wonderful
as he was. He was taken from us much to early but he will forever live in my heart and soul.
Bobby Darin forever!!
Sincerely,
He had perfect stage presence and would most always snap his fingers, while he sang his song to the audience. I can truly say, I
loved him being 16 years younger than his age was, and he absolutely is my most favorite singer of my entire lifetime, as well. My
all time favorite song of Bobby's is entitled, "About a Quarter to Nine."
My guess would be that Bobby would have been in his mid 20's to early 30's when I became familiar with him as a performer. To me,
nobody could create a music style close to his own. He had a unique, one guy style, all by himself, for his time era. Frank Sinatra
and Elvis also were at the top of the charts, during the time Bobby Darin also peaked to his own fantastic artistic fame, but to
my personal liking, nobody ever deserved the most credit for the artistry than Bobby Darin achieved for himself. He has pure showmanship
and talent, far greater than any of his peers, in my estimation.
Bobby, you will always be a part of my entire life's memories, so to you I give you my deepest admiration, for the excellent person
and perfectionist type performer that you always were, to me and to the globe all over.
He shared a glimpse of absolute stardom to me, for an entire lifetime, that I'll always treasure. Nobody will ever meet his
successes. He truly was one of a kind type of guy. I love you Bobby, may your legacy live on, for decades to come.
But he's so much more than a great teacher, he's my inspiration. When you think all the trials and tribulations this man has gone
through, and to be able to achieve all that he has against all the odds in such a short amount of time is incredible. It goes to show
what a human being is capable of if he/she has the right amount of determination, guts and a love for the art.
I feel that I owe him so much for not only helping me with my craft but also all the pleasure he has given me. I truly love this man.
God bless you Bobby.
Bobby Darin has impacted my life in so many ways. I love his style of songs and the way he sang them is even greater. I would
have never been able to meet such a great man perform but if I could turn the clock back just once he would be first on my list.
I have become such a fan that I have bought and watched many movies, programs and arrangements that I listen to every day of my life.
This man has touched my life so much that I could be asleep and still here him singing. I plan to collect so many more of his pieces
and hopefully some of the books that have been written about him as well. And maybe if we are real lucky the television shows
that he put together in the 70’s will come out on DVD soon.
I will now close this with ... Mr. Darin would have been proud to know all the fans that he has obtained over the years even after
his death and that he will keep on swinging. And as they say in show biz “This Could Be the Start of Something Big.” With love!!!
Thank you so much BD
I was only 10 years old when Bobby passed away, but I can remember watching his television show shortly before his death. My mother
was a fan and my father, believe it or not, resembled his looks in his early years ... cool, sharp, sophisticated.
About ten years ago, I was reintroduced to his music through an older co-worker of mine. He let me borrow his cassette of
"Two of a Kind" with Johnny Mercer and the more I listened, the more I needed and wanted to learn about this great talent. I
then proceeded to collect hundreds of CD's, cassettes, VHS, books, magazines, and DVD's which included his music, performances,
documentaries, specials, and films.
To me, he epitomizes a true, all-around entertainer. There were many great performers of his day, but his life story particularly
remains an inspiration to me.
About three years ago I went to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and saw the piano he used to write the song, "Splish Splash." I
was in awe. I could visualize a young Darin, working out the chords and vocals -- what a feeling!
Today, his music sounds just as fresh and exciting to me as ever!!! Thanks for the music Bobby, your legacy has touched me.
He sings with such real emotion that you really can get wrapped up in the mood. I'd be bopping around my apartment listing to
"I'll Remember April" right up until I had to run out the door and join the band for a trip to NYC and the stage at CBGB's. His
stuff was and still is fabulously infectious.
Just the other day my sister told me she was reading a fascinating book about Bobby. She said she liked that song "Mack the Knife."
I drove 80 miles to her house just to let her borrow some of my CDs. We sat and listened to the That's All CD. I said,
"You're going to turn into a 1959 finger snapping hipster aren't you?" She said, "Ooooh I love him." It's clear Bobby's still got them
dropping like flies. Being great is timeless.
I'm happy to have found this site.
To get an idea of the hits he charted here in Holland:
In my country Bobby is an unknown person, also with rock and jazz fans. Maybe all the DVD's and CD's that are available
now will help some. It certainly has no effect on me: Bobby forever!!
My old friend Samuel Katz (science) was a teacher of Bobby's in the Bronx. He said he was a great kid, and he loved him.
Too bad Bobby had a short life ... but an intensive, extensive career. Yes his legacy lives on.
Thanks for the music, Bobby!
I lived in Chicago and went to school as a little boy in the early "70's so I never really got into Bobby Darin's life until now.
I really believe that there is nothing "ordinarily good" about this man, instead simply and profoundly great. Nobody is "just" good.
It's just that when your good, your "GREAT!" No in-between and Bobby Darin was great!
He loved the music and the people and he got them always involved. He never came out from behind, but from "beyond" the enormous
distinguished faith in finding people where they were. That's the mystery of being great. It isn't in the fame, although that's
good ... and true. It isn't in advancement, although he had that and more, and maybe not even the talent, of which he had it all.
But it was in his heart. His faith that made him the love of millions today.
Bobby Darin, thank you for the music. I know that today, for you and your adored wife, "Heaven is a place called Home!"
Thanks to Kevin Spacey, Bobby is back and bigger than ever.
Now, that I am older, I can and do appreciate this multi-talented man. I've read all the books about him dozens of times, I have
all his CDs. I had been suffering from anxiety/depression for nearly ten years and then, Bobby came back. I no longer have the
anxiety/depression. He and his music have helped me more than any doctor could. He has given me back my life. I wish I could give
him back his.
I listen to his music everyday no matter what I am doing. I am an artist and Bobby and his music have inspired me to do several
paintings related to some of his songs. The strength and courage Bobby had during his lifetime, the dedication to his art, the will
to go on, is where I draw my strength from. I have a wall, almost two walls now, in my studio with photos of Bobby. He is my motivation,
my strength, my inspiration.
Bobby is back for a reason, my fellow fans. Only time will tell us what that reason is. Is it to help we who love him to continue on
in these days of turmoil?
It took Mr. Spacey ten years (I think) to get Bobby's biopic on the big screen, but he did it and by doing it he resurrected Bobby.
I am back to being me and it's good. Thank you, Kevin. Thank you Bobby ... I love you.
The cutest part of this story is that my 3 year old granddaughter has become a big Bobby Darin fan. Every time she gets in
my car, she asks to hear "Splish Splash" and she knows every word by heart! To hear her sing it (in her baby voice) is to know
that Bobby Darin is alive and well in our memories, our hearts and minds and he will go on forever, that kind of talent
always does.
The way I see it (and hear it) is "he just didn't sing the songs, he lived the songs ... I mean he made them come alive."
Listening to "Beyond the Sea" and "Mack the Knife" takes me to music heaven. Watching and listening to "All I Have to Do Is Dream"
makes me want to hug my wife again and again. And listening to "The Curtain Falls" tells me (really tells me) that "he
was made for this!" Now, Bobby Darin is one of my favorite singers and entertainers
also.
Having been 6 when Bobby passed on, I feel like I missed so much. I often wonder if when I was in Las Vegas when I was 5, was he in the
town too? I don't know why it matters, because he is still very much in my life now. He is so timeless, it's hard to imagine that
he'd be 70 next year. So many years that he could have shared that incredible talent with us. But I'm very thankful we have all that
we do. Thank God for that. Because you can still feel the excitement when watching him.
How amazing is his talent that it still stands out -- being so much better than anything out there today? Of course what he did
personally is so incredibly inspiring. To be so ill at times and still give these strong, strong performances. To rise above his
personal trials and give back to his audience. If there's any justice in this world, he knows that we all still love him and
thank him. I know I will have his talent throughout my life, because I know I'm never letting go. Thank you Mr. Darin :)
His career was, albeit short due to a heart ailment, full of life and vitality when it came to his work and his family. Recording
over 400 songs, many of which were recognized for many weeks on the Billboard charts, his career is what he is remembered by. But
his family, and turbulent marriage to Sandra Dee, is what is not, and should, be recognized when the name "Bobby Darin" is mentioned.
Mr. Darin, of who's work I have bought many copies of during the past two years, was, and is, a master of the art of music-making.
He is being recognized, not only in the recent bio-pic which was a fine honor to his character and being, but also by numerous
commercials, advertisements, and spots on television premieres around the world. Although only living to the tender age of
thirty-seven, Bobby Darin left a myriad of work for all to enjoy and discover. He is being honored in the way he should have
been many years ago: As a versatile performer who should never be forgotten. Keep swinging, Mr. Darin! You will always be remembered.
Life is best described as a journey fraught with situations, some of which challenge our very existence. There are crossroads
that require, yes demand, that we make decisions as to which way we will go if we are to achieve any worthwhile goal with the
life we have been blessed with.
Walden Robert Cassotto's dreams were put on notice at a tender age, that his life would not last very long. 16 years at best.
Whatever it was that he wanted to achieve, time was of the essence. And so through commitment, perseverance, and unbridled
determination Bobby Darin at 37 left his mark as a human being who cared! A self-taught dynamic entertainer who will never be
forgotten! For eternity to come, across the universe, Bobby will be singing, "Look out old Mack is back!"
Thank you for this opportunity to try and convey in just a few words, the enjoyment I receive when I can talk about why I have loved and
admired Bobby Darin like I do!
I even proposed and opening for Kevin Spacy's upcoming movie based on my search for information on bobby in an almanac at the Towanda,
Pennsylvannia Public Library. As a host of my own karaoke show I do trivia questions and talk up Darin to even strangers in
Pennsylvannia, New York, Ohio, Indianna and Florida. The highest respect is that he wrote music, played eight different
instuments, garnered a Oscar nomination, and gave of himself.
I met a lady in Florida in 2001 who shook Bobby's hand in person and happened to be noticably pregnent at the time and Bobby
insisted she get off her feet, since she had stood in line some time to see him, and gave her his chair! I've been spreading
the word about Darin's talents faithfully since I read Al Di'Orio's book, which I had the Pennsylvannia Library system turn upside
down in 1999. I ordered the Rhino Box Set and a year later bought the Copa Live disc! Just amazing! Possibly
the greatest act I've ever heard!
Bobby is special to me on many levels, but it is the determination and never giving up, that really hits home. Maybe I see a bit
of me in him. Or maybe he sees a bit of him in me, that is why maybe I've been touched by his essence.
This is a personal thank you to Bobby Darin because I intend to finish what he has started and that is living life to the
fullest, make the dream into a reality and owning it!
I, initially, became a BD fan when I was all of 17, some 41+ years, ago, when I heard his rendition of “Splish Splash,” I was very
wise to recognize the talent was to become a trademark of his style, even then. When his “Mack the Knife” became a huge success,
my thoughts of his greatness bore fruit. I was in my first year of college, and it was popular, then. When I, stupidly, abandoned
my college dreams, the song, “Mack the Knife” became the drinking song of those of us who imbibed. To this very day, it remains my
favorite of all songs, except a few of the other songs he recorded. His Mack is Back video remains one of my favorites as do all
of the movies he appeared in.
I, FIRMLY, believe that he has no peers and those who try to emulate his style are in search of stardom at his expense. Vietnam
and brain surgery plus grand mal seizures briefly interrupted my life and I missed about a year of BD songs while overseas. His
likes will NEVER be around, again, and his death on 20 December 1973 left a void in the entertainment industry that won’t be filled,
again, in my life time. What a shame and a waste of excellent talent.
Dick Dettry, a HUGE BD fan. |
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