• Home
  • JBSN Founder
  • R’n’R Heaven
  • Around The Web
  • Ken’s Blog
  • Merchandise
  • Song Requests

Must Read

  • RICS' VINTAGE GUITARS 
  • The Kinks together again for a new Album
  • Oklahoma - Oh What a Beautiful Morning.
  • Was this the first Moonwalk?
  • Give me a head with hair, shoulder length or longer
  • Old School Ingenuity
  • The Bobby Darin Dream Car
  • The Beatles Pancakes
  • Lost in the Fabulous 50's
  • Fishing Blooper Reel
  • Home
  • JBSN Founder
  • R’n’R Heaven
  • Around The Web
  • Ken’s Blog
  • Merchandise
    • Product Categories

      • Baseball Caps (1)
      • Books (1)
      • CDs (2)
      • DVDs (16)
      • Gift Pack (1)
      • Key Rings (1)
      • Record Clock (0)
      • T-Shirts (2)
      • Vintage Guitars (5)
      • Vinyl (0)
    • Top Rated Products

      • JIMMYPAGE NUMBER 'TWO' by EDWARDS ESP Japan 2005 - Guitar JIMMYPAGE NUMBER 'TWO' by EDWARDS ESP Japan 2005 - Guitar $1,995.00
      • 1960/61 FENDER MUSICMASTER PRE CB - VINTAGE GUITAR - RED-BURST FINISH 1960/61 FENDER MUSICMASTER PRE CB - VINTAGE GUITAR - RED-BURST FINISH $3,295.00
    • Featured Products

      • Jukebox Saturday Night T-Shirt Jukebox Saturday Night T-Shirts BLACK $35.00
      • Jukebox Saturday Night White T-Shirt Jukebox Saturday Night T-Shirts WHITE $12.50
    • Popular Products

      • Jukebox Saturday Night DVD - Sounds of the Sixties Jukebox Saturday Night DVD - Sounds of the Sixties $20.00
      • JUKEBOX SATURDAY NIGHT, SOUNDS OF THE SEVENTIES Jukebox Saturday Night Sounds of the 70's $20.00

  • Song Requests

Walden Robert Cassotto – Bobby Darin

June 20, 2014  By Ken Sparkes


Rock and Roll Heaven Bobby Darin

Walden Robert Cassotto was born May 14 1936 and after a complicated early family life and surviving a shocking childhood sickness, Walden went on to become the star we know and love Bobby Darin.

He started singing in high school kicking off with a first paid job at 16.

1958 Bobby wrote in nine minutes and recorded “Splish Splash” that hit the charts and the world took notice of the boy from the Bronx New York. Then came a string of hits 1959 “Dream Lover” at first he was very unsure of the song but his star was on the rise and it was another hit. He became a regular on Dick Clarks American Bandstand. Dick Clark later backed my application for a Green Card in the US and spoke highly of Bobby during the many off the record conversations with Dick, then the host of Americas most popular teen TV show.

Bobby Darin was a much sort after TV act and appeared in the first of his six Ed Sullivan Show performances May 31 1959. Talent agents begged to get their acts on Ed’s show all except Bobby’s Agent, the showed asked him first.

 Bobby was also voted by many parents as, the young man who they hoped would date their daughters. He was talented but not flashy. Two unusual song choices, not written by Bobby, increased the depth of his audience,”Beyond the Sea” and “Mack the Knife” gained favour with older audiences.

I first Interviewed Bobby when hosting the Coca Cola Hi Fi Club covering his appearance in the Movie “Come September.” In 62 Bob won a Golden Globe for his role with his first wife the lovely actress Sandra Dee. Their marriage would last 5 years.

What was Bobby Darin like? He was a sharp and very funny performer, right through his early years he expressed a comedic edge.

Later he developed a Night Club act featuring his many impersonations of Hollywood Stars. And wow he was good at it!

Bobby was also Political and in 1968 worked on Robert Kennedys Presidential Campaign and was at the Ambassador Hotel the night Robert was assassinated.

Robert Kennedys death had a profound effect on his life and it was reported that he sold his worldly goods, became a recluse and lived in a trailer home, I never wanted to go near that story preferring to remember him as I had met and seen him.

Bobby Darin was the darling of Las Vegas, backing bands loved him and his live performances packed them in. Big name singers like Frank Sinatra would be in the audience but they never performed together. He also appeared with other singers of the era Tony Fisher and Andy Williams, their 4min. 55 sec. TV  rendition of  “Do Re Mi” is worth looking out for. If you ever want to see a “loving performance” check out Bobby and Petula Clark singing “All I have to do is Dream” (Everly Brothers hit) the long kiss at the end of the clip is so tender.

 Next time you’re in Vegas, I’m sure you go every weekend, and a fan of Bobby’s look down for his star on the footpath on The Las Vegas Walk of Stars.

Bobby was also a DJ favourite and the song that stands out in my mind is “Artificial Flowers.” Never a big chart hit but when you saw his perform it live, look out he never missed one beat of the performance.

Grammy Award winner Bobby Darin enjoyed a super ride to stardom but his childhood illness came back to haunt him.  

Bobby entered Rock and Roll Heaven December 20 1973 he was only 37.

In my musical memories… gone… but never forgotten.

Bobby Darin Mack the Knife

Bobby Darin Mack the Knife

Beyond the SeaBobby DarinDick Clarks American BandstandDream LoverMack the KnifeSplish SplashWalden Robert Cassotto
Rock N Roll Heaven


Share On


Previous Article
Best 60's live music - Peter McKay
Next Article
Lost in the Fabulous 50's






  • Connect with us

    fans
    Like

    137

    subscribers
    Subscribe
  • Merchandise

    • JIMMYPAGE NUMBER 'TWO' by EDWARDS ESP Japan 2005 - Guitar JIMMYPAGE NUMBER 'TWO' by EDWARDS ESP Japan 2005 - Guitar $1,995.00
    • 1960/61 FENDER MUSICMASTER PRE CB - VINTAGE GUITAR - RED-BURST FINISH 1960/61 FENDER MUSICMASTER PRE CB - VINTAGE GUITAR - RED-BURST FINISH $3,295.00
    • 1980 FENDER TELECASTER DELUXE VINTAGE GUITAR IN NATURAL FINISH 1980 FENDER TELECASTER DELUXE VINTAGE GUITAR IN NATURAL FINISH $4,995.00
    • 1975 FENDER STRATOCASTER VINTAGE GUITAR IN VIBRANT SUNBURST FINISH 1975 FENDER STRATOCASTER VINTAGE GUITAR IN VIBRANT SUNBURST FINISH $5,495.00
    • GIBSON LES PAUL GOLD TOP 1970 Vintage Guitar GIBSON LES PAUL GOLD TOP 1970 - Vintage Guitar $9,995.00
  • Around The Web

    • RICS' VINTAGE GUITARS May 19, 2020
    • The Kinks together again for a new AlbumJune 28, 2018
    • Oklahoma - Oh What a Beautiful Morning.June 12, 2018
    • Was this the first Moonwalk?June 5, 2018
    • Give me a head with hair, shoulder length or longerFebruary 1, 2016
    • Old School IngenuityJanuary 28, 2016
    • The Bobby Darin Dream CarApril 3, 2015
    • The Beatles PancakesFebruary 22, 2015
    • Lost in the Fabulous 50'sJune 26, 2014
    • Fishing Blooper ReelJune 4, 2014
    • You’re never too old to kick a snake out of the wayMay 28, 2014
    • Napoleon X1V They’re coming to take me awayMay 28, 2014
    • Early Robin Williams on the Johnny Carson ShowMay 26, 2014
    • Touching speech by father of the brideMay 26, 2014
    • The healing Power of MusicMay 26, 2014
    • Mrs Robinson Plays a PrankMay 26, 2014
    • Ian Meldrum on Up TightMay 26, 2014
    • Early Australian TV on TCN 9May 26, 2014
    • Concept cars of the 1940’s - 1960’sMay 26, 2014
    • Jumpin Jive - Cab Calloway and the Nicholas BrothersMay 26, 2014
  • Rock N Roll Heaven

    • Roky Erickson, 13th Floor ElevatorsAugust 9, 2019
    • Aretha Franklin The Queen of Soul - I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved...August 18, 2018
    • Kathleen O’Rourke otherwise known as Kathy KirbyJune 5, 2018
    • Percy SledgeMay 2, 2015
    • Digby George Richards - Dig Richards April 3, 2015
    • Kim Vincent FowleyJanuary 23, 2015
    • Robert Iredale October 13, 2014
    • Lynne RandellSeptember 21, 2014
    • Peter FlanaganSeptember 13, 2014
    • Johnny Rebb August 16, 2014
    • Ronnie Van Zant - Lynyrd SkynyrdAugust 9, 2014
    • Jimmy LittleAugust 2, 2014
    • Billy Preston - That’s the way God Planned itJuly 26, 2014
    • Mama Cass Elliot- Ellen Naomi CohenJuly 19, 2014
    • Davy Jones - The MonkeesJuly 11, 2014
    • Jim Keays - Masters ApprenticesJuly 4, 2014
    • Doc Neeson - Bernard Patrick Neeson June 26, 2014
    • Walden Robert Cassotto - Bobby DarinJune 20, 2014
    • Dave DeeJune 13, 2014
    • Jack Leroy Wilson Jr – Jackie Wilson - Higher and HigherMay 28, 2014


  • Around The Web

    • RICS' VINTAGE GUITARS May 19, 2020
    • The Kinks together again for a new AlbumJune 28, 2018
    • Oklahoma - Oh What a Beautiful Morning.June 12, 2018

  • Rock N Roll Heaven

    • Roky Erickson, 13th Floor ElevatorsAugust 9, 2019
    • Aretha Franklin The Queen of Soul - I Never Loved A Man The Way I Loved YouAugust 18, 2018
    • Kathleen O’Rourke otherwise known as Kathy KirbyJune 5, 2018

  • Ken's Blog

    • The Blue Mountains Elvis FestivalJuly 3, 2017
    • Jukebox Radio - The One That Got AwayOctober 13, 2016
    • The Troggs 50th Anniversary TourAugust 18, 2016


Copyright JukeboxSaturday.com All Right Reserved.
Back to top
  • Privacy Policy
  • T & C
  • Sitemap
  • Contact