Bobby Darin hit me
in two separate phases. First, when I was 12 in 1972 and first watched
his summer replacement show, I became hooked. But that was just
a little girl crush.
At that time, crushing Bobby Darin influenced my taste in music.
I became a 50s/60s
music nut. While my friends were listening to the 70s, I would have
none of that! Every night before bed, my "routine" consisted
of listening to the two hours of Bobby I had recorded off his TV
shows. I would not fall asleep until the last of the songs
had played.
I will never forget
when Bobby Darin died. I was 13 and we were out of school for Christmas
break. I came down to breakfast late, and when I sat down, my mom
told me they (my mom & dad) had just heard on the radio that
Bobby Darin died. At first I thought they were kidding because they
were ALWAYS kidding me about my crush. Then I realized they were
not joking, and I didn't know how to act (or react). Being so young,
I was not used to people close to me dying (and I felt very close
to Bobby Darin).
I put away the tapes
that I listened to every night before bed. I tucked everything Bobby
away. I lost my interest in 50s & 60s music. Twenty years passed.
I had all but forgotten Bobby Darin. Then I bought and read Dodd's
book. As I neared the end I cried as if I
were right there watching Bobby Darin die. But instead of burying
him again, I brought him back to life! I wondered about those cassette
tapes I had tucked away so long ago. I listened to them once again
and I was astonished! I never realized the talent. I never realized
how wonderful the songs were. I was hearing the music as an adult
now - not a little girl with a crush. I kicked myself for hiding
that wonderful music away for so many years!
Then I could not get enough of Bobby Darin. Several years later,
I still relish the music and the talent. My little girl crush was
not that silly afterall. I feel like I had pretty good taste back
then, and still today!
Has it really been
thirty years? It doesn't seem like it. At least for me, the music
of Bobby Darin keeps me young and happy. Sometimes I'm a kid again,
sittin' on the floor, watchin' the Amusement Company. I'm sure thirty
years from now I will still be a Bobby Darin nut. It'll just be
harder to get up off the floor!
I'm so happy there
are other Bobby Darin fans out there to help me keep his memory,
talent and music alive (not hidden away)! In the words of James
Whitcomb Riley, "He is not dead... he is just away."
Sue Prifogle Otte
