Walden Robert Cassotto, otherwise known as Bobby Darin, was an award-winning singer, actor, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and one of the most talented rock ‘n’ rollers ever. He performed from 1956 right up until his death in 1973, through four successful stages of his musical career: rock ‘n’ roll, big band, country, and folk.
We’re not talking about rhythm and blues or rock ‘n’ roll or elevator music here. Nor songs by all the male and female crooners from the era. We’re talking about big bands and orchestras that emerged a decade or so earlier that supported and backed mostly white singers of the day. We’re talking about bonafide smash number one hits on Billboards charts for a lengthy period of time.
One of my favorite rock and roll drummers died recently. Charles Conner, born in 1935, is best known as Little Richard’s touring or road drummer in the ’50s.
We’re smack dab in the middle of summer, a great reason to listen to some of my favorite Top Forty summertime hits. Some pop standards and rock and roll anthems echo a disdain for having to work during a time when freedom and making out were priorities.