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Bobby Bloom

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Bobby Bloom
Bobby Bloom in 1970
Bobby Bloom in 1970
Background information
Birth nameRobert Bloom
BornJanuary 15, 1946 (1946-01-15)
DiedFebruary 28, 1974 (1974-03-01) (aged 28)
GenresPop, calypso, rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years activeEarly 1960s–1974
LabelsPolydor
Buddah
Kama Sutra
L&R

Robert "Bobby" Bloom (January 15, 1946 [1] – February 28, 1974) 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.

Biography

In the early 1960s, Bloom had been a member of the doo-wop group, The Imaginations. He 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. He also played a role as a songwriter for the Kama Sutra/Buddah group of labels,[2] co-writing "Mony Mony" for Tommy James and the Shondells, and with Jeff Barry "Sunshine" for The Archies.

Bloom worked as a sound engineer for musicians such as Louis Jordan and Shuggie Otis.[2] 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[3][failed verification] at the controls. Early solo projects included "Love Don't Let Me Down" and "Count on Me."[2]

The recordings that followed his success with "Montego Bay" in 1970, "Heavy Makes You Happy", which became a hit for the Staple Singers in 1971, "Where Are We Going" and The Bobby Bloom Album all used the same combination of pop, calypso, and rock.[2]

Death

Bloom suffered from depression towards the end of his life. Bloom died on February 28, 1974 in an accidental shooting at the age of 28.[2] He apparently shot himself while cleaning his gun. The family does not believe Bobby would shoot himself and the investigation never followed up on leads.[4] Jeff Barry was surprised to find out afterwards that he was the sole beneficiary of Bloom's life insurance policy.[5]

Discography

Albums

  1. "Careful Not to Break the Spell"
  2. "Heavy Makes You Happy (Sha-Na-Boom-Boom)"
  3. "Try a Little Harder"
  4. "Oh, I Wish You Knew"
  5. "Fanta"
  6. "Heidi"
  7. "This Thing I've Gotten Into"
  8. "A Little on the Heavy Side"
  9. "Brighten Your Flame"
  10. "Give 'Em a Hand"
  11. "Montego Bay"
  • Where Are We Going (Buddah, 1971)
  1. "Where Are We Going"
  2. "Cracks In The Sidewalk"
  3. "It's Love That Really Counts"
  4. "Count On Me"
  5. "Was I Dreamin'"
  6. "Baby, Baby,"
  7. "Valerie"
  8. "Love Don't Let Me Down"
  9. "Where Is The Woman"
  10. "Pirates And Western Villians"
  11. "Jill"
  12. "The Game Can Be So Rough"

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

[1] [7]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 64. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ^ a b c d e Proefrock, Stacia. "Bobby Bloom: Artist Biography". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  3. ^ Peter H. Rosen Creativity.net
  4. ^ Jeremy Simmonds (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. Retrieved 30 January 2011.
  5. ^ Bubblegum-music.com
  6. ^ "Allmusic ((( Bobby Bloom > Charts & Awards > Billboard Albums )))".
  7. ^ "Allmusic ((( Bobby Bloom > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )))".

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