Bobby Darin on The Jack Benny Show (1964) (4 video clips)

Check out the latest Bobby Darin Video Blast on the DarinLand.com site:

Bobby Darin on the Jack Benny Show in 1964

There are 4 videos to choose from. Click the link to see 'em!

Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee in “If A Man Answers” (2 videos)

Here's a little smile for your Friday: 2 clips from the Bobby Darin/Sandra Dee 1962 romantic comedy "If A Man Answers" (click the link to see the videos) ...

Bobby Darin Video Blast: Bobby Darin and Sandra Dee in "If A Man Answers" (1962)

Amazon deleting negative reviews of book containing false statement about Bobby Darin

As reported a few days ago in this blog, author Michael Largo has included a completely false and possibly libelous passage about Bobby Darin in his book "Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die." (The passage is reprinted below.)

Among the remedies I suggested for this situation was writing a review on the Amazon product page for the book "Final Exits," warning potential buyers about the author's representation of fiction as fact.

Upon visiting the Amazon product page for "Final Exits" today, I discovered that Amazon had deleted all negative reviews of the book "Final Exits." At one point, there were at least 16 1-star reviews, all pointing out the factual error about Bobby Darin in the book. Now there are none. This is censorship, plain and simple.

I suggest that anyone who previously had a review up on that page, pointing out the error, please go there and post it again. I would also suggest writing Amazon customer service, and expressing your displeasure at the actions of Amazon.

Here is the passage from Michael Largo's book again:

"Final Exits" by Michael Largo, Page 253

The entry is headed: "Overdose Roll Call The Seventies"

The one-line passage about Bobby Darin reads as follows: "1973. Bobby Darin, age thirty-seven, dies of heart failure while snorting cocaine."

Again, if you would like to help correct this egregious error: You can write to the publisher, to the author, and you can post a review on Amazon, warning potential buyers of this book that it contains fiction masking as non-fiction.

The author's address: finalexits@aol.com

The publisher's address: feedback2@harpercollins.com

Direct link to the product listing on Amazon, where you can post a review: "Final Exits" at Amazon

To add a review, scroll down to the reviews at the bottom of the page and click the "Write Your Own Review" link.

The Darin Estate has been notified of this situation, and has issued a statement that they will be contacting the appropriate parties.

Bobby Darin on 1960 British TV Special (5 videos)

The latest Bobby Darin Video Blast on the DarinLand.com site features Bobby in the 1960 British TV Special, "This is Bobby Darin." There are 5 videos to choose from, including duets with Clyde McPhatter and Duane Eddy. Use this link to see it:

This is Bobby Darin TV Special (1960)

“Final Exits” author makes false statement about Bobby Darin (Part 2)

Yesterday, I reported in this blog that author Michael Largo had included a completely false and possibly libelous passage about Bobby Darin in his book "Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die."

I have since heard from a few people who tell me they have read elsewhere that no such passage exists in the book "Final Exits."

To clarify, below is the passage again, with the exact page and heading.

"Final Exits" by Michael Largo, Page 253

The entry is headed:

"Overdose Roll Call
The Seventies"

The one-line passage about Bobby Darin reads as follows:

"1973. Bobby Darin, age thirty-seven, dies of heart failure while snorting cocaine."

Again, if you would like to help correct this egregious error: You can write to the publisher, to the author, and you can post a review on Amazon, warning potential buyers of this book that it contains fiction masking as non-fiction.

The author's address: finalexits@aol.com

The publisher's address: feedback2@harpercollins.com

Direct link to the product listing on Amazon, where you can post a review:

"Final Exits" at Amazon

To add a review, scroll down to the reviews at the bottom of the page and click the "Write Your Own Review" link.

The Darin Estate has been notified of this situation, and has issued a statement that they will be contacting the appropriate parties.

“Final Exits” author makes false statement about Bobby Darin

It has recently come to the attention of this blog that author Michael Largo has included a completely false and possibly libelous passage about Bobby Darin in his book "Final Exits: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of How We Die." As part of a list of celebrity deaths, he states, "Bobby Darin, age thirty-seven, dies of heart failure while snorting cocaine."

There is absolutely no evidence of any kind to support this statement. The numerous Darin print biographies, as well as statements and stories from Darin's many friends and colleagues, make it clear that Darin did not use any kind of illegal drugs, and in fact, didn't even drink.

The information that Bobby Darin's heart was damaged due to rheumatic fever as a child, and that he suffered life long heart problems, and that he passed away after open heart surgery in December of 1973, is all readily available.

It is a mystery as to why this author would jump to such a ridiculous and factually unsound conclusion.

There are several ways you can do your part to help correct this egregious error: You can write to the publisher, to the author, and you can post a review on Amazon, warning potential buyers of this book that it contains fiction masking as non-fiction.

The author's address: finalexits@aol.com

The publisher's address: feedback2@harpercollins.com

Direct link to the product listing on Amazon, where you can post a review:

"Final Exits" at Amazon

To add a review, scroll down to the reviews at the bottom of the page and click the "Write Your Own Review" link.

The Darin Estate has been notified of this situation, and has issued a statement that they will be contacting the appropriate parties.

My sincere thanks go to Amy Hagstrom for first posting this information on the Bobby Darin Discussion Group at Yahoo.

Interview: Bobby Darin arranger Perry Botkin

When you hear Bobby Darin swinging Count Basie-style on the "In a Broadway Bag" LP, this is largely thanks to arranger/conductor Perry Botkin. Botkin came into the project in the spring of 1966, with an intense desire to emulate the great Basie recordings he admired so much. One listen to the first five tunes on "Broadway Bag," all Botkin charts, confirms he succeeded beautifully.

"The Basie band always made me smile and often shout out loud," says Botkin. "I think Bobby felt the same way."

Bobby's rousing rendition of the Jerry Herman tune "It's Today" (from the Broadway show "Mame") is a fine example of Botkin's Basie-influenced approach. It is also one of Botkin's personal favorites on the album.

"It was the first song we did on the session," he explains, "and Bobby told me in the recording booth, 'Go out there and get the band swingin'. When you're satisfied with it, I'll come out and fit in.' Fit in? No singer ever told me they'd come out and 'fit in!' I ran the chart down a couple of times while Bobby listened in the booth. When everything was together, out came Bobby. Dave Hassinger said 'take 1,' I counted 8 beats, and off we went. Holy sh--! Bobby sounded like he'd been performing the song in Vegas for two months. He even duplicated what I wrote for the brass on 'Throw confetti, yeah.' Without question this was the highlight of my arranging career."

READ THE FULL INTERVIEW at DarinLand.com