Bobby Darin (Born 14th May, 1936)

[john poole]

Walden Robert Cassotto - born 14th May, 1936 (The Bronx) [died 20th December, 1973)

'Dream Lover' - UK No.1 in 1959
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeCrSvmwQHk

'If I Were a Carpenter' (1969) - with Stevie Wonder (13th May birthday - 62 yesterday)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IzhJxdebrc

'I'll Be There' - Bobby Darin's song, originally issued as a 1960 B-side. Cover versions include Gerry & the Pacemakers and later Elvis Presley, but Cass Elliot's version from 1972 is my pick from those I've heard
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8B7vq_M9OTY

[Adam Blake]

There was a very good film on Bobby Darin made in 2001 for "The Songmakers Collection" - which also included the very wonderful "The Teens Who Stole Pop", about the Brill Building.
Darin was a fascinating character, I watched it in amazement as my pre-conceptions about him were completely blown away.

[Rob Hall]

I've always had a soft spot for him, ever since catching "Too Late Blues" on the TV late one night years ago. Not a great film, but it gave an idea of what he was capable of. He had a lot to offer, and it's a great shame that he died so young.

[AndyM]

Did anyone see the biopic with Kevin Spacey ? I held off, fearing the worst, but maybe it was great.

[uiwangmike]

Not great, but not terrible either. Kevin Spacey performs admirably, though he's too old. There's an episode where Bobby Darin makes a startling discovery about his mother, but apart from that and his premature passing, his life seemed to be somewhat lacking in incident. There's also the bit where he thinks up his stage name when passing a Mandarin Chinese restaurant with the first three letters missing in the neon sign. Is there any truth in that? My local rep is showing Too Late Blues in a Cassavetes season this weekend. I hope I can get to see it.

[Rob Hall]

My local rep is showing Too Late Blues in a Cassavetes season this weekend. I hope I can get to see it.

My memory of it is fairly hazy, but I wouldn't mind seeing it again. Darin plays a drummer (?) named 'Shadow' and I think the issue of drug addiction features at some point. My recollection is that it shares a view on the world of the jazz musician with "The Sweet Smell of Success".

[john poole]

It can be seen in little chunks on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JB58P0ckH8Q

[NormanD]

There's also the bit where he thinks up his stage name when passing a Mandarin Chinese restaurant with the first three letters missing in the neon sign. Is there any truth in that?

I've seen "Noodle King" on Deptford Broadway become "Noodl ing", so I can believe it.

My problem with Bobby Darin was in his genre hopping. Few performers like to stay still, but his jumping from one to another undermined his authenticity. The phase I most like was his Lovin' Spoonful - Tim Hardin period, and his singer-songwriter persona a couple of years after produced some really good topical songs that hinted at allegiances with longhairs and dopers, like these, "Jive" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8k7LNPTQ3Q and "Me And Mr Hohner" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVd4EWPWZLk

It seems a shame to have gone from these back to the old Vegas shtick: tux, bowtie, jokes with the band, comments about the waitresses, and all hail the musical establishment.

[Adam Blake]

It seems a shame to have gone from these back to the old Vegas shtick: tux, bowtie, jokes with the band, comments about the waitresses, and all hail the musical establishment.

I think that came under the heading of "earning a living"!! Possibly a tax bill or two, maybe an expensive divorce, healthcare in the US can be notoriously financially problematic....

[AndyM]

It seems a shame to have gone from these back to the old Vegas shtick: tux, bowtie, jokes with the band, comments about the waitresses, and all hail the musical establishment.

Might be me projecting too much, but isn't there an undertone of resentful critique in how he tackled that ?