We need to take a break today from our survey of Chanteuses to note the passing of Robert Thomas Velline, a/k/a Bobby Vee, who died yesterday from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 73. Bobby’s big break came as the result of a tragedy, the death of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J. P. Richardson (The Big Bopper) in 1959. At the age of fifteen, he and a group of high school kids calling themselve The Shadows volunteered to play at the concert scheduled for the next night in Moorhead, Minnesota. The show was a success and led to Bobby’s career as a solo singer.
Bobby charted 38 times on the Hot 100, with ten of those reaching the Top Ten. His lone #1 was “Take Good Care Of My Baby,” which reached that position in 1961.
Bobby’s last Top Ten single was “Come Back When You Grow Up,” which reached #3 on the Hot 100 in 1967.
And, since it’s my blog, one more: my favorite Bobby Vee song, “The Night Has A Thousand Eyes,” which reached #3 on the Hot 100, #2 on the Adult Contemporary chart, and #8 on the R&B chart in 1962.
Farewell, Bobby Vee, and thanks for all the music.
That’s your two for Tuesday, October 25, 2016.
The Sound of One Hand Typing 
I love these memories. Thank you.
LikeLike
You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by.
LikeLiked by 1 person
😀
LikeLike
Nice tribute, John.
LikeLike
Thanks. I didn’t want his passing to go unnoticed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It might have. I didn’t hear about it anywhere else.
LikeLike
It was all over Facebook, but I’m guessing you don’t do Facebook or it was pushed off your news feed by election stuff. I wouldn’t have heard about it if I hadn’t been out there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi John – I too did love Bobby Vee’s songs … certainly different to so many … thanks for the choices … cheers Hilary
LikeLike
That was the period of guys named Bobby (Darin, Vinton, and Vee). Love all of them; guess Bobby Vinton’s the only one left now.
LikeLike
I had forgotten about Come Back When You Grow Up. Thanks for sharing. 73 is too young.
LikeLike
He had 38 singles altogether between 1959 and 1971, but most of his success was pre-British Invasion. That’s a shame, because I don’t think he stopped performing, but you stopped hearing about him. And yes, 73 is practically a kid these days.
LikeLike