This gives some biographical information about Bobby Darin and the best recommended items (music and video) to start your collection with. My thanks to Kevin Spacey for bringing Bobby into my life with his movie “Beyond the Sea.” Bobby Darin was born on May 14, 1936, in the Bronx, New York. Ravaged by heart disease his entire life due to several rheumatic fever attacks as a child, he is considered the greatest entertainer in the world. He has not only conquered the music industry but also the movie industry, receiving an Oscar nomination for his performance as a disturbed officer in “Captain Newman M.D.” He has received gold records for his hits ‘Mack the Knife”, “Beyond the Sea”, and “Splish Splash.” His performances on stage were dynamite, enthralling audiences with his charisma and onstage dance moves. Knowing that he would die young, his goal was to be a major star in the entertainment world, having been encouraged and nurtured by his grandmother as a little boy. A gifted boy with an IQ of 137, he attended the Bronx School of Science. Bobby Darin achieved more in eleven years than most people do in a lifetime. Bobby Darin was an incredibly generous and thoughtful man. The public never knew how seriously ill he was, and in 1971 he underwent his first major heart surgery to repair the valves to his heart. In 1973 he underwent a second open heart surgery for further repair, and died during surgery. He was only 37 years old. Bobby was married to the actress Sandra Dee, and has one son, Dodd Darin. Bobby Darin has not been forgotten. In 2004 a film made by Kevin Spacey, “Beyond the Sea”, was released in theatres nationwide. Not your average Hollywood biopic, Kevin not only acts in it, but he also directed, wrote, and sang Bobby’s songs in the film. Taking the artistic route with the film, “Beyond the Sea” has not only revived public interest in Bobby Darin but has also secured a new generation of fans to continue to preserve his memory and support his work. Bobby Darin has not been forgotten and he is still greatly loved by many.

Recommended books about Bobby:

Dream Lovers, by Dodd Darin

Bobby Darin: The Incredible Story of an Amazing Life, by Al DiOrio (re published with the title "Borrowed Time")

Roman Candle: The Life of Bobby Darin, by David Evanier

That's All: Bobby Darin on Record, Stage, and Screen, by Jeff Bleiel.

Recommended videos:

Mack Is Back

Beyond the Song

Come September

Captain Newman MD

Pressure Point

That Funny Feeling

Recommended CD’s:

The Ultimate Bobby Darin Collection

Songs From Big Sur

If I Were A Carpenter

It’s You Or No One

That’s All