For the R&B singer, see Bobby Valentino. For another 1960s singer, see Bobby Vinton. For the porn actor see Bobby Vitale
Bobby Vee
(born Robert Thomas Velline
, April 30 1943, Fargo, North Dakota, United States) is an American pop music singer. According to Billboard
magazine, Vee has had 38 Hot 100 chart hits, 10 of which hit the Top 20.
|
BOBBY VEE TICKETS
|
Career
Vee's 1961 summer release "
Take Good Care of My Baby" went to
No.1 on the Billboard U.S. listings and number 3 in the
UK Singles Chart.
[1] Known primarily as a performer of
Brill Building pop material, he went on to record a string of international hits in the 1960s, including "Devil or Angel" (U.S. #6), "
Rubber Ball" (1961) (U.S. #6), "
More Than I Can Say" (1961) (U.K. #4), "Run To Him" (1961) (U.S. #2), "
The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" (
1963) (U.S. #3), and "Come Back When You Grow Up" (U.S. #3). When Vee recorded "Come Back When You Grow Up" in
1967, he was joined by a band called 'The Strangers'.
His first
single was "Suzie Baby", an original song
penned by Vee which nodded towards
Buddy Holly's "Peggy Sue" for the
Minneapolis-based
Soma Records in
1959; it drew enough attention and chart action to be purchased by
Liberty Records, which signed him to their
label later that year. His follow-up single, a
cover of
Adam Faith's UK Number 1 "
What Do You Want?" charted in the lower reaches of Billboard in early 1960; however, it was his fourth release, a revival of
The Clovers'
doo-wop ballad "Devil or Angel", that brought him into the big time with U.S. buyers. His next single, "
Rubber Ball", was the record that made him an international
star.
Vee was also a pioneer in the
music video genre, appearing in several musical
motion pictures as well as in the
Scopitone series of early film-and-music
jukebox recordings. He is a 1999 inductee of the
North Dakota Roughrider Award. He is mentioned in the movie
No Direction Home
, regarding his brief musical association with
Bob Dylan and Dylan's suggestion that he was 'Bobby Vee' after Vee's regional hit.
EMI/UK released 'The Very Best of Bobby Vee' on May 12 2008.
The day the music died
Vee's career began amid tragedy. On "
The Day the Music Died" (
3 February 1959), the three headline acts in the line-up of the traveling 'Winter Dance Party',
Buddy Holly,
Ritchie Valens, and
The Big Bopper were killed in the crash of aircraft N3974N near
Clear Lake,
Iowa while en route to the next show on the tour itinerary in
Moorhead,
Minnesota. Velline, then aged 15, and a hastily-assembled band of Fargo, North Dakota schoolboys calling themselves The Shadows volunteered for and were given the unenviable job of filling in for Holly and his band at the Moorhead engagement. Their performance there was a success, setting in motion a chain of events that led to Vee's career as a popular singer.
Despite the circumstances of his debut, Vee went on to become a bona fide star, and regularly performs at the Winter Dance Party memorial
concerts in Clear Lake to this day.
Personal
As a child Bobby spent summers on the Tuomala Family Farm in Perth, North Dakota, with his cousins. He lived in Beverly Hills, California, for decades, but relocated to
St. Cloud, Minnesota, and later to nearby Collegeville
Vee married Karen Bergen of Detroit Lakes, MN, in December 1963, and fathered three sons and a daughter. He is still active and touring internationally as a performer s of {{MONTHNAME 2008
[], along with his backup band, The Vees, which includes his two elder sons, Jeff and Tommy Vee. His youngest son, Robby Vee, is also a recording and performing artist. Bobby Vee is a recipient of the state of North Dakota's Roughrider Award and his contribution to the genre has been recognized by the
Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Current activities
Vee recently concluded a long running engagement at
Dick Clark's
American Bandstand Theater in
Branson, Missouri.
[2] He performed in the 8:00pm 'Original Stars at American Bandstand' show along with
Fabian,
Chris Montez,
Brian Hyland, and
The Chiffons.
In October 2007 he was on tour performing in 'The Last of the Big Rock Shows' along with
Lesley Gore and
Billy "Crash" Craddock in
Australia.
Lore
Early in Vee's career, a musician named Elston Gunn briefly toured with the band.
[3] [4] [5] "Gunn", whose birth name was Robert Allen Zimmerman, later went on to fame as
Bob Dylan.
In Dylan's autobiography, , he makes special mention of Bobby Vee and shares significant and complimentary details about their friendship, both professional and personal.
Discography
(12 May 2008) has been certified silver in the UK.
Chart singles
| Year of release
| Title
| Label
| Chart Positions
|
| U.S. Billboard Pop Chart
| U.S. Billboard AC
| UK Singles Chart [6]
| U.S. Billboard R&B Chart
| Cashbox Singles Charts
|
| 1959
| "Suzie Baby"
B-side: "Flyin' High"
| Soma 1110
Liberty 55208
| 77
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
| 1960
| "What Do You Want"
B-side: "My Love Loves Me"
| Liberty 55234
| 93
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
"One Last Kiss"
B-side: "Laurie"
| Liberty 55251
| 112
| --
| --
| --
| 91
|
| "Devil or Angel" /
| Liberty 55270
| 6
| --
| --
| 22
| 4
|
| "Since I Met You Baby"
| 81
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
"Rubber Ball"
B-side: "Everyday"
| Liberty 55287
| 6
| --
| 4
| --
| 6
|
| 1961
| "Stayin' In" /
| Liberty 55296
| 33
| --
| --
| --
| 32
|
| "More Than I Can Say"
| 61
| --
| 4
| --
| 48
|
| "How Many Tears" /
| Liberty 55325
| 63
| --
| 10
| --
| 43
|
| "Baby Face"
| 119
| --
| --
| --
| 97
|
"Take Good Care of My Baby"
B-side: "Bashful Bob"
| Liberty 55354
| 1
| --
| 3
| --
| 1
|
| "Run To Him" /
| Liberty 55388
| 2
| --
| 6
| --
| 4
|
| "Walkin' With My Angel"
| 53
| --
| --
| --
| 89
|
| 1962
| "Please Don't Ask About Barbara" /
| Liberty 55419
| 15
| --
| 29
| --
| 18
|
| "I Can't Say Goodbye"
| 92
| --
| --
| --
| 90
|
"Sharing You"
B-side: "In My Baby's Eyes"
| Liberty 55451
| 15
| --
| 10
| --
| 20
|
| "Punish Her" /
| Liberty 55479
| 20
| --
| --
| --
| 32
|
| "Someday (When I'm Gone From You)"
| 99
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
| "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes" /
| Liberty 55521
| 3
| 2
| 3
| 8
| 4
|
| 1963
| "Anonymous Phone Call"
| 110
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
"Charms"
B-side: "Bobby Tomorrow"
| Liberty 55530
| 13
| 5
| --
| --
| 15
|
| "Be True To Yourself" /
| Liberty 55581
| 34
| --
| --
| --
| 36
|
| "A Letter From Betty"
| 85
| --
| --
| --
| 100
|
| "Never Love a Robin" /
| Liberty 55636
| 99
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
| "Yesterday and You"
| 55
| --
| --
| --
| 53
|
| 1964
| "Stranger In Your Arms"
B-side: "1963"
| Liberty 55654
| 83
| --
| --
| --
| 90
|
"I'll Make You Mine"
B-side: "She's Sorry"
| Liberty 55670
| 52
| --
| --
| --
| 54
|
"Hickory, Dick And Doc"
B-side: "I Wish You Were Mine Again"
| Liberty 55700
| 52
| --
| --
| --
| 81
|
"Where Is She"
B-side: "How To Make A Farewell"
| Liberty 55726
| 120
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
| 1965
| "Every Little Bit Hurts" /
| Liberty 55751
| 84
| --
| --
| --
| 89
|
| "Pretend You Don't See Her"
| 97
| --
| --
| --
| 80
|
"Cross My Heart"
B-side: "This Is The End"
| Liberty 55761
| 99
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
"Keep On Trying"
B-side: "You Won't Forget Me"
| Liberty 55790
| 85
| --
| --
| -
-
| 84
|
"Run Like The Devil"
B-side: "Take A Look Around Us"
| Liberty 55828
| 124
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
| 1966
| "A Girl I Used To Know"
B-side: "Gone"
| Liberty 55854
| 133
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
"Look at Me Girl"
B-side: "Butterfly"
| Liberty 55877
| 52
| --
| --
| --
| 67
|
| 1967
| "Come Back When You Grow Up"
Original B-side: "Swahili Serenade"
B-side on later pressings: "That's All There Is To That"
| Liberty 55964
| 3
| --
| --
| --
| 3
|
"Beautiful People"
B-side: "I May Be Gone"
| Liberty 56009
| 37
| --
| --
| --
| 27
|
| 1968
| "Maybe Just Today"
B-side: "You're A Big Girl Now"
| Liberty 56014
| 46
| --
| --
| --
| 38
|
"Medley: My Girl/Hey Girl"
B-side: "Just Keep It Up (And See What Happens)"
| Liberty 56033
| 35
| --
| --
| --
| 17
|
"Do What You Gotta Do"
B-side: "Thank You"
| Liberty 56057
| 83
| --
| --
| --
| 65
|
"I'm Lookin' Into Someone To Love Me"
B-side: "Thank You"
| Liberty 56080
| 98
| --
| --
| --
| 92
|
| 1969
| "Let's Call It A Day Girl"
B-side: "I'm Gonna Make It Up To You"
| Liberty 56124
| 92
| --
| --
| --
| 97
|
| 1970
| "In And Out Of Love"
B-side: "Electric Trains And You"
| Liberty 56149
| 111
| --
| --
| --
| --
|
"Sweet Sweetheart"
B-side: "Rock and Roll Music and You"
| Liberty 56208
| 88
| --
| --
| --
| 94
|
Albums
Note: Cashbox featured separate charts for stereo and mono albums until 1965 when both charts were merged into one
| Release date
| Album w/featured charted hits indicated
Note: Greatest hits albums and compilations only show album debut hits
| Label
| Chart Positions
|
| Billboard
| Cashbox Mono
| Cashbox Stereo
|
| 1960
| Bobby Vee Sings Your Favorites
"Devil Or Angel", "Since I Met You Baby"
| Liberty LRP-3165 (Mono)/LST-7165 (Stereo)
| --
| --
| --
|
| 3/61
| Bobby Vee
"One Last Kiss", "Rubber Ball", "Stayin' In",
"More Than I Can Say"
| Liberty LRP-3181/LST-7181
| 18
| 46
| --
|
| 1961
| Bobby Vee with Strings and Things
"How Many Tears", "Baby Face"
| Liberty LRP-3186/LST-7186
| --
| 47
| --
|
| 10/61
| Hits of the Rockin' 50's
| Liberty LRP-3205/LST-7205
| 85
| --
| --
|
| 2/62
| Take Good Care Of My Baby
"Take Good Care Of My Baby", "Run To Him"
"Walkin' With My Angel"
| Liberty LRP-3211/LST-7211
| 91
| 29
| 29
|
| 7/62
| Bobby Vee Meets The Crickets
"Someday (When I'm Gone From You)"
| Liberty LRP-3228/LST-7228
| 42
| --
| --
|
| 7/62
| A Bobby Vee Recording Session
"Please Don't Ask About Barbara", "I Can't Say Goodbye",
"Sharing You"
| Liberty LRP-3232/LST-7232
| 121
| --
| --
|
| 11/62
| Bobby Vee's Golden Greats
"Suzie Baby", "Punish Her"
| Liberty LRP-3245/LST-7245
| 24
| 22
| --
|
| 12/62
| Merry Christmas From Bobby Vee
| Liberty LRP-3267/LST-7267
| 136
| --
| --
|
| 4/63
| The Night Has A Thousand Eyes
"The Night Has a Thousand Eyes",
"Anonymous Phone Call"
| Liberty LRP-3285/LST-7285
| 102
| 51
| --
|
| 6/63
| Bobby Vee Meets The Ventures
| Liberty LRP-3289/LST-7289
| 91
| --
| --
|
| 1963
| I Remember Buddy Holly
| Liberty LRP-3336/LST-7336
| --
| 54
| --
|
| 6/64
| Bobby Vee Sings The New Sound From England
"I'll Make You Mine"
| Liberty LRP-3352/LST-7352
| 146
| --
| --
|
| 1964
| 30 Big Hits Of The 60's
| Liberty LRP-3385/LST-7385
| --
| 95
| --
|
| 1965
| Live! On Tour
| Liberty LRP-3393/LST-7393
| --
| --
|
| 1966
| 30 Big Hits Of The 60's, Volume 2
| Liberty LRP-3448/LST-7448
| --
| --
|
| 1966
| Golden Greats, Volume 2
"Charms", "Be True To Yourself, "Never Love A Robin"
"Yesterday and You", "Hickory, Dick and Doc",
"Every Little Bit Hurts","Pretend You Don't See Her",
"Cross My Heart", "Keep On Trying"
"A Girl I Used To Know"
| Liberty LRP-3464/LST-7464
| --
| --
|
| 1966
| Look At Me Girl
"Look At Me Girl"
| Liberty LRP-3480/LST-7480
| --
| --
|
| 10/67
| Come Back When You Grow Up
"Come Back When You Grow Up"
| Liberty LRP-3534/LST-7534
| 66
| 37
|
| 4/68
| Just Today
"Beautiful People", "Maybe Just Today",
"My Girl/Hey Girl"
| Liberty LRP-3554/LST-7554
| 187
| --
|
| 1968
| Do What You Gotta Do
"Run Like The Devil", "Do What You Gotta Do"
| Liberty LST-7592
| --
| --
|
| 1969
| Gates, Grills and Railings
"I'm Lookin' Into Someone To Love Me"
| Liberty LST-7612
| --
| --
|
| 1972
| Nothin' Like A Sunny Day
| United Artists UAS 5656
| --
| --
|
| 1973
| Legendary Masters Series
"A Letter From Betty"
| United Artists UA-LA025-G2
| --
| --
|
| 1975
| The Very Best Of Bobby Vee
| United Artists UA-LA 332E
| --
| --
|
Films
SWINGIN' ALONG (1962)
Lippert Films, color, 74 minutes,
DIRECTOR: Charles Barton
PRODUCER: Jack Leewood
SCREENPLAY: Arthur Morton
A comedy about a songwriting contest, originally released in 1961 as Double Trouble. Scenes were added of Ray Charles (doing "What'd I Say") and Bobby Vee (doing "More Than I Can Say").
PLAY IT COOL (1962)
Allied Artists, black & white, 82 minutes
DIRECTOR: Michael Winner
PRODUCERS: Leslie Parkyn, Julian Wintle
SCREENPLAY: Jack Henry
Good selection of early Sixties' performers woven through a plot about a bratty teenage rich girl looking for her boyfriend. Bobby sings "At A Time Like This."
JUST FOR FUN (1963)
Columbia Pictures, black & white, 85 minutes
DIRECTOR: Gordon Fleming
PRODUCER: Milton Subotsky
SCREENPLAY: Milton Subotsky
British teens win the right to vote, so the two major political parties try hard to win this new voting block to their side. Meanwhile, there's a parade of pop stars including Freddy Cannon, Ketty Lester, Jeremy Lloyd, Bobby Vee, The Crickets, The Springfields, Jet Harris, Tony Meehan, Joe Brown and the Bruvvers, The Tornadoes, Brian Poole and the Tremoloes and Johnny Tillotson. Bobby sings "All You Gotta Do Is Touch Me," and "The Night Has A Thousand Eyes."
C'MON, LET'S LIVE A LITTLE (1967)
Paramount Pictures, color, 85 minutes
DIRECTOR: David Butler
PRODUCERS: John Herelandy, June Starr
SCREENPLAY: June Starr
References
- EveryHit.com
- Dickclarksabbranson.com
- History-of-rock.com
- Expectingrain.com
- Popentertainment.com
- British Hit Singles & Albums