Bobby Bloom
| Bobby Bloom | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert Bloom |
| Born | 1945 |
| Died | February 28, 1974 |
| Genres | Pop, calypso, rock |
| Occupations | Musician, singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | Early 1960s–1974 |
| Labels | Polydor Buddah Kama Sutra L&R |
Robert "Bobby" Bloom (1945[1] – February 28, 1974[2]) was an American[1] singer-songwriter. He is known best for being a one-hit wonder with the 1970 song, "Montego Bay," which was co-written with and produced by Jeff Barry.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
In the early 1960s, Bloom had been a member of the doo-wop group, The Imaginations, and sang lead on "Wait A Little Longer, Son." Bloom received a big break in 1969 when he was awarded a contract to write and record a jingle for Pepsi, paving the way for his later success with "Montego Bay." Bloom also played a role as a songwriter connected to the Kama Sutra/Buddah group of labels.[3] He also co-wrote the song "Mony Mony" and with Jeff Barry he co-wrote "Sunshine" by The Archies, their fifth hit single in 1970.
Bloom worked as a sound engineer for musicians such as Louis Jordan and Shuggie Otis.[3] Bloom often recorded demos of his songs at the recording studio of MAP City Records, owned by friends Peter Anders and Vincent Poncia Jr., with chief engineer Peter H. Rosen[4] at the controls. Early solo projects included "Love Don't Let Me Down" and "Count on Me."[3]
The recordings that followed his success with "Montego Bay" in 1970, "Heavy Makes You Happy", "Where Are We Going" and The Bobby Bloom Album all used the same combination of pop, calypso, and rock.[3]
Bloom suffered from depression towards the end of his life.[3] Bloom died on February 28, 1974, at the age of 28. He apparently shot himself while cleaning his gun.[5] Jeff Barry was surprised to find out afterwards that he was the sole beneficiary of Bloom's life insurance policy.[6]
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
The Bobby Bloom Album (L&R Records, 1970), reached #126 in the U.S. Billboard 200 chart,[7] and contained the following tracks:
- "Careful Not to Break the Spell"
- "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)"
- "Try a Little Harder"
- "Oh, I Wish You Knew"
- "Fanta"
- "Heidi"
- "This Thing I've Gotten Into"
- "A Little on the Heavy Side"
- "Brighten Your Flame"
- "Give 'Em a Hand"
- "Montego Bay"
Where Are We Going (Buddah, 1971)
[edit] Singles
- "Montego Bay" (1970) U.S. Billboard Hot 100 #8, UK #3
- "Heavy Makes You Happy" (1970) - UK #31
- "Where Are We Going" (1971) - U.S. #84
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 64. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
- ^ Thedeadrockstars.com - accessed July 2009
- ^ a b c d e "Biography by Stacia Proefrock". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p25152/biography. Retrieved 1 July 2009.
- ^ Peter H. Rosen Creativity.net
- ^ Jeremy Simmonds (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. http://books.google.ca/books?id=bMBf3TYZigQC&pg=PA70&dq=bobby+bloom&hl=en&ei=XiRGTcKLKNPOgAfUgoikAg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=bobby%20bloom&f=false. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
- ^ Bubblegum-music.com
- ^ "Allmusic ((( Bobby Bloom > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p25152/charts-awards/billboard-albums.
- ^ "Allmusic ((( Bobby Bloom > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))". http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p25152/charts-awards/billboard-singles.
