Bobby Darin Biography, Photos and Posters

Bobby Darin

Biography

Born: May 14th, 1936
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Instrument: Vocalist
Music Training:
Awards: 1959 Grammy Record of the Year, "Mack the Knife;" 1959 Grammy Best New Artist, Bobby Darin; 1963 French Film Critics Award for Best Actor, Captain Newman MD; Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Male Newcomer, Pressure Point; 1990 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Top Recordings: "Splish Splash," "Dream Lover," "Mack the Knife," "If I Were a Carpenter"
Bobby Darin biography: Walden Robert Cassotto was born to humble circumstances in the south Bronx, NY in May of 1936. As a child he suffered several bouts of rheumatic fever which left his heart damaged. The knowledge that his life would be a short one helped fuel his enormous desire to succeed and do so at an early age. After graduating from the The Bronx High School of Science he attended Hunter College for 1 year before pursuing his singing career.

Darin much as many other artists likeNeil Diamond and Paul Simon got his start in the music industry in the Brill Building working as a demo writer and then demo singer. In 1957 he first recorded for Decca Records, but made his mark on Atco Records with the smash hit "Splish Splash" and "Dream Lover," both of which he composed. On the advice of his friend Harriet Wasser he recorded an LP of standards which included his signature hit "Mack the Knife." The single which became one of the largest selling records in history stayed at number 1 on the charts for 9 weeks. That same year he began his nightclub performance career in Las Vegas as well as major clubs, in other cities, across the U.S. like the Copacabana in New York and the Cloister in Los Angeles.

The closest entertainer I can come up with to compare with him as a performer would be Sammy Davis, Jr. Although lacking Sammy's exceptional talent as a tap dancer he was still an accomplished soft shoe tapper as well as an accomplished impressionist and musician. He continued his nightclub performing career until 1973 when he became too ill to continue.

Like many other pop stars he also was attracted by the glitter of the silver screen appearing in 13 motion pictures includingand Academy Award nomination for his role in Captain Newman M.D. (1963). In 1961 he became the youngest performer to host his own variety special and hosted his ownshow from 1972-73 on NBC.

Besides being a gifted performer Darin was also a gifted composer penning many hit songs including: "Early In The Morning," "Dream Lover," "That's the Way Love Is," "Multiplication," "Things," "As Long As I'm Singin'," "Eighteen Yellow Roses," "You're the Reason I'm Living."

In December of 1960 he married actressSandra Dee who he co-starred with in the film Come September. The marriage ended in divorce in 1967. He was also married to Andrea Joy Yaeger in 1973. This marriagealso ended in divorce shortly before his death. In 1968 Darin learned an earth shattering revelation. The person he thought to be his mother was actually his grandmother and the woman he thought to be his sister was actually his mother. He died shortly after his second open heart surgery at the tender age of 37.
Died: December 20th, 1973

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