B orn Walden Robert Cassotto on May 14, 1936.
O riginal & outstanding, many believed Bobby ripped off
styles from other artists. He was criticized for his musical morphing
strategies. The fact is that Bobby Darin crosses musical boundries
successfully, straddling the Generation Gap. He effectively zipped
from hopped-up rocker to Vegas crooner, to sober folkie, with forays
into Jazz, R&B & country. No other entertainer has delivered
such a wide variety of styles as Darin. He's the best!
B rash & cocky: "It gives me great pleasure to get
bum-rapped," Darin said, "I thrive on it." His cockiness
was a device for attracting attention. The key to Bobby's personality
was his illness. The specter of death was his principle motivation.
He wanted the world to know he'd been here.
B eautiful, big brown eyes, brown hair, 5'91/2" tall
& 155 lbs of sex appeal & pure talent. Bobby Darin-singer,
songwriter, music publisher, actor, star.
Y ielding: Bobby was very productive in his short life time.
In addition to his movies & records, he made many television
appearances, including his own 1972-73 variety series, his 2 TV
specials, over 45 appearances on musical/variety shows, numerous
dramas, & game shows. He wrote/co- wrote over 160 songs, and
performed countless times on stage. He produced a son with wife
Sandra Dee; Dodd Mitchell Darin, born 12/16/61.
D ied 12/20/73 following open-heart surgery at age 37. He
lived with a rheumatic heart condition he tried to outrun most of
his life, which fueled his impatient, do-it-all-now rise to the
top of the pop scene attitude.
A ctor: From 1960 to 1973, he appeared in 13 movies, receiving
an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in "Captain
Newman, MD." He met co-star Sandra Dee on the set of "Come
September," married her 12/1/60, & divorced in 1967. She
still loves him today.
R ecording star: He recorded approximately 30 LPs during
his musical career, winning 2 Grammy Awards on 11/29/59: "Mack
the Knife" was named Record of the Year, & Darin was chosen
as Best New Artist.
I ntelligent: IQ-137, Bobby attended the respected Bronx
High School of Science & 1 year at Hunter College. Took &
passed MENSA exam.
N ina Cassotto whom Bobby thought was his sister, was his
natural mother. Bobby was 30 years old when he learned the truth
about his birth. "My whole life has been a lie," he said
at that time. Bobby died never knowing his real father.
Linda Samul
