His greatest inspirations? He told me Al Jolson, "for his golden throat and perfect pitch." Sinatra, whom he tried so hard to emulate and surpass, "for his stage presence, humor and finger-snapping independence." Elvis, "for his courage to defy rules and project taboo sex appeal." The Beatles, "for their original sound and songwriting genius." Big Crosby, Perry Como, Dean Martin and Nat King Cole, "for their relaxed approach." Judy Garland, (they sang a TV duet in 1963) "whose pain came through in her songs." He became a little of each, creating a remarkable package of multiple stage personas, the delicious recipe, the unrivaled niche he molded into the unique Bobby Darin.
Bobby gave "Danke Schoen" to Wayne Newton, a gift from his heart, which in 1963 became Newton’s first hit and launched his worldwide fame. Bobby graciously loved helping people and treated others with respect. When a band member’s father needed surgery, Bobby gave his support. His stimulating spin, his unmatched style and tempo, inspired Tony Orlando’s "Tie a Yellow Ribbon" and Roger Miller’s "King of the Road." Few knew it, and it surprised me at the time, but when alone Bobby often listened to classical music, his private respite and sanctuary.
He was in 13 films, composed two full movie scores, and five title songs. He was a music publisher and record producer, who knew the business inside out. He appeared on Steve Allen, Bob Hope and Ed Sullivan’s popular TV shows, with luminaries Dean Martin, Jack Benny, Jerry Lewis, Peggy Lee, Paul Anka, Phil Silvers, Andy Williams, Nancy Wilson, Tom Jones, Patti Page, Lisa Minnelli, Alan King, Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gorme, and many others. His mentor George Burns said Bobby topped George M. Cohan, so Bobby starred in Kraft Music Hall’s Give My Regards to Broadway and became America’s Yankee Doodle Dandy and Little Johnny Jones.
In 1963 Bobby sang at my brother’s nightclub, the Twin Lakes Twist, and held thousands of adoring Las Vegas fans in the palm of his hand. Seems like yesterday, his vibrant velvet voice, sly sex appeal and impromptu style captivated all ages. He sang his million-sellers, "Splish Splash" (which he wrote in a half hour), "Dream Lover," "Mack the Knife," "Queen of the Hop," "18 Yellow Roses," "Things," "Clementine." And the smash hit "Beyond the Sea," the title of Kevin Spacey’s Bobby Darin film. In his later blue-jeans protest period ("If I Were a Carpenter," "Simple Song of Freedom," which he wrote) his loyal fans often demanded the earlier favorites.
His Oscar nomination was for a hypnotic 1963 performance in Captain Newman, M.D. He played a decorated WWII aviator and psychiatric patient who thinks he’s a coward for not saving his friend from the burning plane. Bobby also won the coveted Golden Globe / Foreign Press Association and French Film Critics acting awards. This brash teen started with a Catskill Mountain jazz combo, and later drew bigger audiences than Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Dean Martin, Perry Como and Sammy Davis Jr. at New York’s famous Copacabana. He performed at a hundred other clubs, including LA’s Troubador and Ciro’s. He opened San Francisco’s huge Mr. D’s with a 23-piece orchestra. He was the first young vocalist to appeal to adults, and his legions of admirers came out in force every time.
