About Bobby Darin
Born into the world as Walden Robert Cassotto May 14, 1936, in New York City; son of Saverio (Savvi) Cassotto, a furniture builder
and Vivian Ferne Cassotto (her maiden name was Walden).
Bobby Darin married screen star Sandra Dee Dec. 1, 1960, they divorced c. 1967.
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Bobby Darin began his career during the roots of of rock and roll era in the late 1950s,
with his smash hit "Splish, Splash" for Atco Records (Bobby wrote it in about ten minutes at
the recording studio). Against the advice of Atco's A&R people, the president of Aycp Records, Ahmet Ertegun,
and his mentor, Dick Clark, he quickly branched out into
other genres, including folk and country. Admiring Sinatra's big band style, Bobby Darin
insisted on recording such style. As a result of Bobby's persistencem the 1959 recording of "Mack the Knife,"
which earned him two Grammy Awards, was Atco's biggest selling single, rising to #1 on the national
charts and staying in the top ten for over a month.
Darin appeared in several films, best known was "Gunfight At Abilene." Darin hosted shows locally in
New York for Metromedia (a beauty pageant disaster is also archived here at Oldies Television),
then in 1959 a musical show short lived on NBC before moving to CBS/>br>
Shortly before he died during heart surgery in 1973, Darin hosted his own television variety series on the NBC,
and sung "Mack The Knife" opening the first show, as you see here on the Oldiestelevision.com video stream.
'Bobby Darin' Cassotto had a troubling upbringing. His father, a cabinetmaker,
died a few months before he was born. Darin and his mother lived with his sister and her
husband. They were virtually indigent. As a child, Bobby suffered chronic rheumatic feve.
He could not attend school regularly until high school. He did, however, manage to read quite a bit
and also learned to play the drums, piano, and guitar.
Bobby Darin's strongest ambition was not to succeed in music but rather to become an actor.
In pursuit of this goal, he attended drama classes at Hunter College, but he became impatient when
instructors gave other students chances to practice in leading roles even though they admitted his talent exceeded
theirs. Darin decided to go out on his own, getting jobs in Catskill resorts that ranged from bussing tables
to filling in for absent singers. Said Darin in a magazine interview,"I would work for a month or two, then quit and make the rounds, trying to get something in the theater. But nothing happened."
Gradually Darin began to concentrate more on his singing than his acting. He was working writing and singing radio commercials when he was signed to a contract with Decca Records in 1956. Accounts vary as to how he selected his stage name; one says he picked it from a phone book, another that he got it from a malfunctioning restaurant sign advertising Mandarin Chinese food. The young crooner cut a few singles and secured an appearance on bandleader Tommy Dorsey's television show, but his vocal stylings did not capture the public imagination, and Decca dropped him after a year. Darin was then signed by Atlantic Records, and recorded on their subsidiary label, Atco. Again, his first few records caused no sensations, but in 1958 Darin released one of his own compositions, "Splish, Splash." A whimsical number about characters from other rock and roll songs showing up and starting a party at the singer's house while he was in the bathtub, it proved a hit, selling 100,000 copies in only three weeks.
Though Darin quickly followed "Splish, Splash" with another rock and roll ditty, "Queen of the Hop," he did not wish to rely on the burgeoning genre for his livelihood. He was unsure that rock and roll would last, and felt that teenagers--its primary consumers--were fickle in their affections for performers. So, hoping to attract more mature fans, Darin took the money he made from his first hit and financed an album of standards, titled That's All. Included on That's All was a revision of composer Kurt Weill's song from playwright Bertolt Brecht's Threepenny Opera --"Mack the Knife." Released in 1959, "Mack the Knife" did for Darin all that he could have wished, selling over two million copies, and catapulting him to the pinnacle of the nightclub circuit. He became a featured attraction at the most prestigious Las Vegas showcases, such as the Sahara and the Sands, and by 1960 had played the famed Copacabana in New York City.
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Meanwhile, Darin was also getting his film career underway. Though he signed a film contract in 1959, he waited through many offers until he found the kind of parts he wanted to play. He made his screen debut playing an American in Italy in the 1961 film Come September. Darin also composed the title song, and met his wife, actress Sandra Dee, on the set. Faring better than most singers who venture into acting, Darin won praise for many of his film performances, including his portrayal of a young American flirting with Nazism during the 1940s in 1962's Pressure Point, and he received an Academy Award nomination for best supporting actor for his work in 1963's Captain Newman, M.D.
Bobby Darin had other hit records throughout the early 1960s, including the follow up to 'Mack...,' "Beyond the Sea," "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," and the country-flavored "Things." And, unlike many other artists who began their careers with the advent of rock and roll, he managed to maintain his success into the late 1960s, scoring in 1967 with the folk song, "If I Were a Carpenter." Darin also had political concerns at this time, and according to Steve Hochman in the Los Angeles Times, "worked on Robert Kennedy's presidential campaign in 1968." Hochman further noted that the singer was "devastated by Kennedy's assassination" later that year, and after this event sold many of his possessions, moved to California, and recorded two albums of protest songs on his own label, Direction. Though Darin's long-time manager Steve Blowner told Hochman: "I was stunned at how good he was, singing [folk songwriters Laura] Nyro and Tim Hardin and [Bob] Dylan," Darin's career began to languish somewhat. In the early 1970s, he recorded for the Motown label.
Darin had again tasted success, returning to network television, doing a summer replacement variety show for NBC in 1972 which was picked up again in 1973, when the heart problems that resulted from his childhood rheumatic fever caught up with him. Entering the hospital to have previously implanted artificial heart valves repaired, he died on the operating table on December 20, 1973. On the occasion of his posthumous induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in January 1990, Blowner was quoted in the Los Angeles Times as saying: "He could sing it all."
Viewer Comments:
7.25.10 Robert_Stichion, Lady Lake, FL Was a good as Sinatra, with a style of his own!
7.23.10 airwolf130, Pensacola, FL the man had soul
7.22.10 rankensel, Blackwood, NJ As a male fan, I was jealous of him getting Sandra Dee. But I was a really big fan of his talent. I did get to see him at the Latin Casino in New Jersey, He said he had been scuba diving and developed an ear problem. He still gave a stellar performance. As the guy said, Bobby could sing it all and entertain as well.
7.22.10 Jenny6664. Brooklyn, NY sound great; song terrific; but video poor
7.20.10 rckcr, Long Beach, CA I was the announcer on Bobby's NBC-TV show.
Bobby was the best, outstanding talent and a very nice man.
7.19.10 eahalsey, South Hampton, NY Bobby survived surgery, did in recovery
7.19.10 rebelmann37, Duck Hill MS He could sing it all, as stated.
7.18.10 Joe1012, Loudon, NH The greatest singer and preformer ever, only if he had enough time to prove it.
7.16.10 Carter1946, Laura, OH He was one of the greats.
7.15.10 Tchr4vr, PA saw Bobby Darin on Steel Pier in Atlantic City in 1960 and fell in love! I was 13 :) I can really say he was my First Love :) Many years later when Kevin Spacey came on the scene when he played an insane character on the late 80's, early 9o's TV program Wiseguy, I thought what a interesting resemblance. I was thrilled when he produced and starred in "Beyond the Sea".
7.15.10 Tom, Hancock MD "Mack The Knife" by Bobby Darin is a classic
7.11.10 Delissca, MI Died way too young. A real crooner.
7.10.10 omniscent, Fairbanks, AK one of the greatest songs done with taste and class
7.10.10 beasel, Ft Worth, TX Saw Bobby in LV in 63. Played every instrument on the stage. Best show I ever saw in Vegas
7.08.10 RonS, Abilene, TX I remember Bobby Darin, he was a phenomenon. What an entertainer.
7.07.10 winston365, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada potentially one of the greatest. never reached his full potential
7.06.10 Larryjoel, Ft Meyers, FL Loved Bobby Darin's music and style.
7.06.10 earlybird, St Louis, MO learned a lot I did not know
7.06.10 Budh, Cinnaminson, NJ Bobby Darin is absolutely the best
crooner there will ever be. God bless you, BD
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7.05.10 linperk, Meridan, CT I loved Bobby Darin, was so when he died.
7.05.10 Bev, Manitoba, Ontario Canada He is a wonderful singer.
I enjoy his singing.
7.04.10 Adrianna, Portland OR My favorite singer of that time
7.03.10 marieschal, FL A great singer...R.I.P., Bobby
7.03.10 cmcduffy5678, CA My sweet mom in heaven heard and LOVED this!!!
7.02.10 ruthebelle, VA What a classic and what class he had
6.28.10 SusanG, FL Darin's lifetime events keeps Bobby alive
6.27.10 PatG, FL always loved his singing. He was one of the very best.
6.27.10 Lovedrop, CA My teenage idol. Gone too soon.
6.24.10 DeedraFox, IL Love it as much now as I did back in the 60's
6.23.10 MaryM, WA Learned a lot more then i knew about Bobby! loved all his songs, and was so sad when he & Sandra were divorced, i felt they were the perfect teen couple, they were both so talented, & their son, Dodd was so cute, What a shame.
6.21.10 swchief, FL Bobby Darin at his all time best
6.21.10 NM758, FL He was one of the best
6.21.10 FranzSchubert, ILGrateful these videos still exist
6.21.10 Rum, SC this song got me through college
6.19.10 golfer, CA He was a great talent, underestimated by his peers.
6.17.10 Bernie, NJ I liked the info with it
6.16.10 NB, MD How great to hear and see it again!!!
6.14.10 repete, OK Excellent Attribution to a GREAT Performer.
6.12.10 SGS, CA He had "It," in his singing, & his personality.
6.11.10 oceanwaves629, NY it brings back the best of memories
6.10.10 KennethW, TX great, don't hear that music anymore
Lou @ oldiestelevision.com Raise dickens with 98.7 KLUV out there.
Sixties is suppose to be within their "Greatest Hits" format (don'tcha
just love CBS radio formats?) and Bobby certainly had "greatest hits"
in the sixties.
6.10.10 safeway, NJ It's great to hear a great singer where you could understand the lyrics
6.10.10 Lou @ oldiestelevision.com I think I got some of the lyrics they sing today,
goes something like this: "uh, ow, yo! yo! (yoyo!), awhhhh ow! (wonder what hurts?).
ooh mmmmmmm ahhhh chikow (Chinese?). and, oh yes, a stomach belch. Even when
Bobby sang "Splish Splash," every word was clear and a word in the dictionary
6.10.10 jdgberry, NC I was born in '61, this is my favorite song
6.10.10 ivARROW, FL he was great
6.09.10 flamiano, NY Love this song, only by Darin
6.08.10 artze, FL Love the song. Love him.
6.08.10 mg5848, TX loved his singing and songs
6.07.10 Beachnut, NV very interesting!
6.07.10 longbay, WI the good die young.
6.06.10 carmen, CA one of the best singers of our times
6.05.10 mouselady43, NJ when I was a teenager Bobby Darin was my favorite singer
6.05.10 auntrheets MD brought back old memories
5.29.10 tonihal. CA he was the greatest
5.29.10 birdsnbears. NJ I love Bobby Darin!
5.28.10buffy2sweet, IL you should have mentioned Sandra Dee never re-married and raised their son
5.27.10 jerseyguy, AZ picture is mediocre, sound is great
5.27.10 Lou @ oldiestelevision.com Remember, these kinescopes are fifty plus
years old. You cannot compare them to today's HD streams
5.25.10 AJ, FL As good as the best...better than the rest
5.25.10VincentR, FL he was the best
5.24.10 Carol, CanadaI love Bobby Darin - he was so cool
5.24.10 edpet, NV He was one of the greatest
5.22.10 stillfisher, MT An outstanding clip of an outstanding singer
5.22.10 Big Bison, CA Loved seeing Bobby again. He left us much too soon.
5.21.10 PinkPoodle, TX WOW! Bobby at his best!
5.21.10 xheadbeagle, AK Great stuff
5.20.10 Freddie, PA very artistic and from the Bronx
5.15.10 Gemini19, AR It was Darin at his pinnacle as a performer. A classic piece that transports you to another time, the end of the Ike years. Noticed the last frame in which he was turning to exit the stage. He didn't stick around for the applaused and, in that instant he seems as much spirit as man. A very poignant tribute to a man who defied the odds and left a stellar legacy.
5.13.10 beverlyt, GA Had almost forgotten his voice
5.10.10 wr.robbins, CA fun to go back
5.10.10 MistyCat. CT Such a great memory
5.09.10 rbt1722, CA Beyond The Sea, and Mack the knife, both fantastic
beolsen3, MI Love Bobby Darin
Schwager, IL I liked "My Darling Clementine"
Tadman, OH I still think his rendition of Darling Clementine was one of the cleverest I have ever heard.
LakeLady, CANADA A blast from the past--wonderful lyrics and hardly any (lyric) repeats like the so-called songs of today; terrific performance
ranmarban, MS Makes me proud to have lived in the 50's
MoeBuddy, Canada Just plain, great stuff
LadyBlue, WI His mother wasn't his real mother, she raised him as such. His sister was his real mother.
vaazmike, AZ I could listen to him all day
Maria, TX He was awesome
banbureecross, PA The film "Beyond the Sea" is excellent! He died so young -- a great loss
CharlieTuna, Canada I wonder that no one ever mentions Bobby's 2nd wife. He didn't stop living after Sandra Dee.
Claire, PA Brought back pleasant memories
mrtort, IL His recording of "Mack The Knife" is one of the best of all time
jewel-ya, TX He was my favorite! Enjoyed.
Mom, FL I'm 81 yrs.old.I was a young mother and loved Bobby Darin.
It told me everything I ever wanted to know.
skyroamer, BC Canada I remember seeing Bobby do this on TV-great memory!
wrench, MN a great song a real favorite at karaokee bars
Lou @ oldiestelevision.com responds I sang "Mack..." at a karaoke
bar once and got two awards, a teeny tiny one and a great big one.
The tiny one was for going up and singing. The big one was
for stopping.
PMurray, MI very good song, loved hearing it again
buckey, NC I used to play mack the knife over and over at Geneva on the lake Ohio in 1956 When it was a nickle a play.
nysfboys He was quite a talent & certainly left us much too soon. His big band sound as in "Mack The Knife" will never go out of style.
GTRacer This is the way music was intended to be
anonymous16 In the early 60's I danced with a special guy to "Mark the Knife". Brings a ton of good memories. Loved the song and all of Bobby's records
paull42 I remember seeing him in person on Broad St in Newark,NJ,along with Joanne Campbell
(the blond bombshell) Those were the good old days
MARIELB I did love him. He was superb
ThomasK i will never forget when mack the knife came out ,,,was in London and it swept the city
ekoziol Darin was among the best
Miamodolfan1972 Another one that left us too soon. He is sing in heaven now.
lynn He was my generation and I loved his music
Annie140 He was an amazing singer and actor
sherryberry Absolutely wonderful. Loved him.
der1str Defines "Cool."
Sonya15
One of the all time great songs! I Wish you had MORE! of them!!!!!
Lou @ oldiestelevision.com responds We do, on the Classic Oldies Video Juke Box
accessible on the main directory page, link below, scroll down below TV channel menu
betty Thanks for all the information on one of my favorite people. He was so talented in do many ways...and good looking too!!!
bvonparris Thanks for all the information on one of my favorite people. He was so talented in do many ways...and good looking too!!!
AlbertT I always liked BD, both as a singer and person. I used to 'sing along' in my car to 'Mack the Knife'. I was really shocked when he died. Never new he had rheumatic Fever, which was probably the cause of his heart problems later in his life. Still hum some of his music!
anonymous14 Thees no music like this today, I love the oldies. thats music
anonymous13 great song, great singer
JoeCoz Loved Bobby, me being a drummer and finding out he was too inspired me to play better.
grandmajo
We had a Teen Time music show in Montgomery, AL, during the late 50's---he became one of the biggest draws there ever!
80_yr_old_grandmother loved his show an saw them all--mourned his passing
crankywanky7 To me, Darin was the coolest of the cool. Cooler than Sinatra, Dean and the rest. There was a way about him I really liked. Being a musician myself (drums) I admired his versatility.
buxie99 sounds great, just like old times
2oldies Too bad he died so young. He could have been another Frank Sinatra
vb Absolutely first rate
annaambrosia wonderful
shellyr WOW what a great memory. Thanks!
Dreamfortune Even my Dad would go and see him if he was appearing in a city where he was traveling!!!
Our home covered 3 generations and we all loved him!!
delmonicotony He really could sing. A real showman.
anonymous12 excellent. loved him
drummergirl Your info is wrong - I knew Bobby Darin - he never had a show on CBS only on NBC 1972-73 - This is a clip from a George Burns Special or the Ed Sullivan show - I have the audio at home - but thank you for including the clip - he was a great guy - taught me to play the drums, which I still do. Dave Vine is also correct on the biographical info you have being erroneous. Dave is correct. Thanks again!
roe29732 I will always remember Bobby Darin
pfrago11 very very good
sentimental_80_year_old Simply great
jim1102 lost him too early
wendytoo loved it!
anonymous10 read things I never knew abour B Darrin Thanks
Pat Class Entertainer, the best! Really miss him
shooz He wa a smooth crooner, very cool
VINNIE MARINE Great entertainer, died too early. My mother had
the same surgery. She died, too after the surgery
Knight AL Bobby is great and well missed
Linda A true classic, the man and song
Gen Fantastic!
bad1122 Darin was a great talent, died too soon
rednygirl one of the greatest singers.
ceiljones Love Bobby. He is the consummate entertainer. Could do anything & do it great
Remember, there's more Bobby Darin on the "channel selector menu"
and the Classic Oldies Video Juke Box accessible on the main directory page (link below)
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