Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular Music

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DARIN, Bobby

(b Walden Robert Cassotto, 14 May 1936, Bronx NYC; d 20 December 1973, Los Angeles) Singer, actor. He studied drama in college; signed to Decca '56, then Atco '57, meanwhile writing jingles and successful songs with Don Kirshner. His first big hit was his own amusing novelty 'Splish Splash', no. 3 '58 (as by the Rinky Dinks, 'Early In The Morning' no. 24 '58, was also Darin); further top ten entries 'Queen Of The Hop' and 'Dream Lover' were all on the album The Bobby Darin Story '61, followed by a change to Sinatra style for no. 1 smash with Kurt Weill's 'Mack The Knife' '59; no. 6 'Beyond The Sea' '60 (originally 'La Mer', by Charles Trenet), both on album That's All '59. Other top ten hits: 'You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby' '61 (song from '38 by Johnny Mercer/Harry Warren adapted to cash in on the Twist dance fad), 'Things' '62, 'You're The Reason I'm Living' '63, 'If I Were A Carpenter' '66.

His film career included Come September '60 (co-starring Sandra Dee; he married her that year), Captain Newman M.D. '63 (Oscar nomination); divorced from Dee '67. Switched to Capitol '62, back to Atlantic '67; then his career lost momentum. Darin was a superb stylist when he had respect for his material, perhaps a born jazz singer, but his career reflected the confusion of the time; his producer at Atlantic was none other than Ahmet Ertegun, yet the business was afraid of losing its audience and Darin put too much energy into being hip when he might have had the kids in his pocket just by being himself. He changed his style again '71, becoming Bob Darin; 'Long Line Rider' was about convicts buried in the prison yard. He had rheumatic fever as a child, and a heart valve operation '71; he died in surgery.

Among many albums: Darin Live At The Copa '61, Darin Sings Ray Charles '62, From Hello Dolly To Goodbye Charlie '64. As Long As I'm Singin' '87 on Rare 'n' Darin was a compilation of airchecks and unissued tracks which probably represented him best of all.