Tuesday, December 20, 2005

Remembering Bobby Darin...

Although Bobby Darin made a splash as a Rinky Dink with "Early in the Morning", we didn't know at the time: 1) Who Bobby Darin was and 2) That he was one of the Rinky Dinks. We didn't know who the man was until he really made a splash with "Splish Splash" in 1958...

Born Walden Robert Cassotto in the Bronx, the singer's father had abandoned his mother shortly before Bobby was born and his mother turned out to be his sister or who he thought his "sister" Nina was. Darin was stricken with rheumatic fever which left him with a damaged heart at age 8, so it was an uphill battle for Bobby from Day 1 but boy did he ever pack a talented life into 37 years...

Any resemblance between the Bobby Darin we first heard in "Splish Splash" to the ultimate entertainer he would become is purely coincidental. His biggest hit, the chart-topping "Mack the Knife" was a multi-million selling single that would win a Grammy for "Record of the Year" and let's not forget such hits as "Queen of the Hop", "Dream Lover", "Beyond the Sea", "Things", "If I Were a Carpenter". On and on the list goes and add to that his film credits highlighted by a nomination for "Best Supporting Actor" for his role in "Capt. Newman M.D.". By the mid-60s, Darin was headlining the major casinos in Las Vegas, something he would still be doing today had he lived. And in 1990, Darin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame...

Kevin Spacey immortalized Bobby Darin on the big screen in the movie "Beyond The Sea" in 2004, in a very good and, critically acclaimed portrayal of Bobby. While not being a boxoffice smash it is worth renting nonetheless...

Today marks the 32nd anniversary of Bobby's passing on December 20th, 1973 from surgery to repair a faulty heart valve. His talent is sorely missed...

More December 20 Memories...

1879) Thomas A. Edison privately demonstrates his incandescent light at Menlo Park, NJ...

1880) Broadway becomes "The Great White Way" when it is lighted by electricity...

1946) The Frank Capra film "It's A Wonderful Life" has a preview showing for charity at the Globe Theatre in Manhattan, a day before its "official" world premiere (and over 5 trillion viewings on TV to come)...

1950) James Stewart stars in another big one as "Harvey" premieres in New York City...

1957) Merry Christmas Elvis Presley. Elvis has left the draft board. The King receives his U.S. Army draft notice...

1962) The Osmond Brothers appear on NBC-TVs "Andy Williams Show" for the 1st time...

1963) The Berlin Wall opens for the 1st time to allow West Berliners to visit relatives on the east side for the holidays. It re-closes on January 6, 1964...

1967) Jethro Tull is formed...

1967) "The Graduate" premieres starring Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft...\

1968) Author John Steinbeck dies at 66...

1969) Peter, Paul and Mary top the charts with the John Denver written "Leaving on a Jet Plane"...

1973) Bobby Darin dies from complications following heart surgery at 37 (feature story)...

1975) Joe Walsh joins the Eagles replacing Bernie Leadon who pursues a solo career...

1976) Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley dies at 74...

1980) No announcers allowed. The Jets beat the Dolphins 24-17 in a regular season game in an experiment without announcers (thank you Don Ohlmeyer, producer)...

1981) "Dreamgirls"opens at the Imperial Theater in Manhattan...

1985) Denis Potvin (better known to Ranger fans as "Denis s---ks") breaks the NHL record for most career points for a defenseman with his 916th point (the old record was held by the greatest defenseman who ever laced up a pair of skates, the immortal Bobby Orr)...

1993) Donald Trump says "you're hired" to Marla Maples as the couple walk down the aisle...

1996) Astronomer Carl Sagan joins the galaxy at 62...

1999) Legendary country star Hank Snow dies of natural causes in Nashville at 85...

2002) Trent Lott resigns as Senate Republican leader 2 weeks after making racially charged remarks...

Happy Trails To...

John Spencer ("L.A. Law" "West Wing") who left us over the weekend just 4 days short of his 59th birthday today...

Happy Birthday To...

1927) Wacky comedian Charlie Callas...

1932) John ("Magnum P.I.") Hillerman...

1944) Blood, Sweat & Tears drummer/TV host/record executive Bobby Colomby...

1945) Peter Criss (Kiss)...

1946) Illusionist Uri Geller...

Commentary...

A couple of things you might not know about Bobby Darin:

• he graduated from Bronx High School of Science (still only 1 of 3 high schools along with Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Tech that requires passing a special test for admittance)...
• "Splish Splash" was co-written by Bobby and Murray the K...
• he became politically active and worked on Bobby Kennedy's presidential campaign...
• Paul Anka made Bobby's induction speech when Darin entered the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1990...