Bobby Day
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| Bobby Day | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Robert James Byrd |
| Born | July 1, 1928 |
| Origin | Fort Worth, Texas, United States |
| Died | July 27, 1990 (aged 62) |
| Genres | Soul music R&B Pop Rock and roll |
| Occupations | Singer, songwriter, record producer |
| Instruments | Vocals, piano, keyboards |
| Years active | 1957–1990 |
| Associated acts | Satellites |
Bobby Day (July 1, 1928 – July 27, 1990),[1] was an American rock and roll and R&B musician.
Born Robert James Byrd,[1] (making him Bobby Byrd - not to be confused with the funk musician/Famous Flames member of the same name), in Fort Worth, Texas, he moved to Los Angeles, California, at the age of 15. As a member of the R&B group, The Hollywood Flames, he used the stage name Bobby Day to perform and record. He went several years with minor musical success limited to the West Coast, including being the original "Bob" in the duo Bob & Earl. In 1957, Day formed his own band called the "Satellites" following which he recorded three songs that are seen today as rock and roll classics.[citation needed] Song was featured in the 1986 movie Stand By Me. Day's best known songwriting efforts were "Over and Over" made popular by the Dave Clark Five in 1965 and "Little Bitty Pretty One" popularized by Thurston Harris in 1957, Clyde McPhatter in 1962 and the Jackson Five in 1972. However, Day is most remembered for his 1958 solo recording of the Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 hit, "Rockin' Robin", written by Leon Rene under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.[2] "Rockin' Robin" was a song covered by Bob Luman at Town Hall Party on 28 October 1958, The Hollies in 1964, Gene Vincent in 1969, Michael Jackson in 1972, and by McFly in 2006.
Sometimes referred to as a one-hit wonder, because despite numerous recordings with a variety of record labels, Day never achieved another Top 40 hit apart from "Rockin' Robin".
Day died of cancer in 1990,[1] and was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Thedeadrockstarsclub.com - accessed May 2011
- ^ Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 100. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
