BOBBY - OGRAPHY, ETC.

The One That Got Away - Bobby Darling

2011-11-30T06:35:00.000-08:00

---As you probably know, I really have little problem in liking Bobby's work...but, this one was on my hit parade at the first listen. I know I've said much the same thing at other times, but THIS YouTube IS A MUST SEE and A KEEPER. VINTAGE BOBBY D.

Silence Won't Save You - Bobby Darling

2011-10-26T22:30:00.000-07:00

---Social injustice is something that has ''pre-occupied'' Bobby D., for a longtime. Go Bobby.

FREE HOME ENERGY

2011-10-23T20:05:00.000-07:00

Do-It-Yourself
---Bobby may, actually, make this work. I saw this advertisement and thought that he may be one of the only people I know who would find this - more than interesting.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY...POLKA??!!?

2011-08-02T16:51:00.000-07:00

http://bobbydarling.com/Audio/Bohemian_Rhapsody_Polka.mp3
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As Heard On:
Behavior Issues Radio/FFT

Bobby D. Claims the Fifth!

2011-06-03T14:48:00.000-07:00

DOCUMENTARIES

2011-02-27T14:51:00.000-08:00

Bobby D. will really like this website. There are many documentaries, here, on many different subjects. Oh, yeah! Happy Birthday, again...BD.
topdocumentaryfilms.com/ CLICK

A Hard Day’s Night | Watch Free Documentary Online

2011-02-23T20:39:00.000-08:00

A Hard Day’s Night Watch Free Documentary Online
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOBBY DARLING! You own or have access to this film I'm sure, but it may be fun to post it for those who don't.

ARE YOU LONESOME, TONIGHT? - Bobby Darling

2011-01-15T12:19:00.000-08:00

BOBBY TAKES ''DOUBLE-ENTENDRE'' TO A NEW LEVEL - W/''The BEATLES''

2010-11-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

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---Bobby Darling takes the ''double-entendre'' from the STAGE to the LIVING ROOM...where it seems to belong. For those of you keeping score at home, you will find Bobby ''playing'' the Beatles, this time.

HEMPTY - ''One of a Kind''

2010-10-21T03:57:00.000-07:00

---Hempty passed months ago...and I never knew what to write. I still don't. So, as usual I'll dive right in and see what happens.

---I met Hempty when I started high school. That is when and where I met Bobby Darling. Actually, Bobby and Hempty knew each other very well. Hempty played guitar, also. They both liked the lead players of the day, mostly from England - especially George Harrison and Keith Richards. Bobby gave Hempty his nickname.

---I always got along with Hempty. He was the first kid I ever saw smoke marijuana. This happened at a high school dance. We went out into the parking lot and before I knew what was going on - Hempty pulled out a joint. Being as hip as usual, my first thought went to the fact that I could be arrested just being in Hempty's presence. I agonized over this until he was through...as I cooly hurried him along. I had much to lose...like, what if my parents find out that I'm hanging with druglords. (Okay, it wasn't quite true...but, in those days marijuana LEAD to all kinds of unspeakable situations. Mostly, because it was SO illegal. But, I didn't quite know that.)

---All I knew for sure after that night is that Hempty TOOK DRUGS. It wasn't easy knowing this...especially for next couple of days. Hempty is a DRUG ADDICT! Any day now...I half expected him to quit school and join a commune. I was pretty sure that he wouldn't have sex out of wedlock especially being Catholic and all. His folks were very religious...at least I knew his mother went to church. That does mean he DID have the whole Church, the one true church, behind him. This was one of the perks of being afraid of most things. You pay attention!

---I did pretty well, all toll, with Hempty's problem. The only close call WE experienced was when the whole class went on retreat for three days. I say we, because I came very close to reporting Hempty to the authorities for bringing the maryjane AND using it...on the retreat. I remember praying about all of this. My conclusion was that ''I would turn Hempty in - ''FOR HIS OWN GOOD.''

---I figured I would save him from a life of indiscriminate drug use, by turning him in. I could even see him thanking me, when all is said and done. As near as I could figure it, he would probably get 25 years in jail...but, be saved from an eternity in hell. Who wouldn't be thankful? It only stands to reason. I was just thinking that he probably had drugs in his pocket (marijuana) in the picture above. It was taken at a high school function. And, that was a place I knew from personal experience...that Hempty used DRUGS! In the picture, he is some kind of hippie priest. Couldn't the nuns see this. There is hardly any doubt that Hempty was ''using'' in the pic. The proof is in the pudding.
(Much more about how Hempty was entwined in my life and his affect on my family and generally on what a nice guy he was to know and befriend.)

---I hope that I have conveyed something very important in what I have written. It is the social angst of two opposing mindsets that existed at the time. Hempty was just growing in his way and responding to things the way he did...and I on the other hand had a different set of anxieties that I was responding to. It really was the perspective that one holds that would pass judgment as to who was right or wrong. Hempty was experimenting with life his way while I was buying all the negatives coming down the pike in my vision. I was much more swayed by ignorance and wisdoms handed down while Hempty was trying new things which now seems very harmless but necessary in developing a well rounded way of seeing the world. Mine was based on fear handed down...making judgments without having a clue as to what the facts are, but basing everything on the status quo handed to me. I mean, I was ready to have him sent to jail for his own good. If we hadn't laughed at the two differing mindsets many, many times...that fact would be troubling and scary.

---Just to skip ahead a bit...Hempty was the original drummer (congas) in FRANCONIA NOTCH, the band we had just before the ''Bobby Darling Show.'' Don Gray, ''Little'' Ricky took Hempty's place in the band. Hempty did a guitar tune, also, in ''FRANCONIA NOTCH.'' A song by George Hamilton IV, called, ''If You DON'T Know I Ain't a-Gonna Tell You.'' The song was a favorite among friends of mine. It featured Hempty and Bobby and was a hit wherever we played.

WALLABOUIES - Bobby Darling Duo

2010-08-29T16:11:00.000-07:00

---This song was written by Bobby Darling. It is, WITHOUT A DOUBT, one of the nicest fictional nightclubs that I've ever been. They have pulled out all the stops. The food is something else, too.

---That is where I found that Bobby owns BOBBYDARLINGLAND! It is place that he had built for ex-bandmembers...like myself. It is modeled after the Village the Prisoner stayed on that 1960's English TV show. I live there...with cyber-helper POODLES Jr. And, the other cast of characters. Bobby says there will be running water in the taps, again...any day, now.

---Though, WALLABOUIES is a fictional nightspot, there is nothing fictional about the fun I have when I go there. The sound may be a bit funky, but I'm sure you understand that recording from your seat may have its drawbacks...especially, when you're almost outside. Enjoy! Bobby says we will have a goodtime, again, when the blizzard tapers.

SECOND HAND GENES - Bobby Darling

2010-08-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

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---It makes perfect sense in hindsight...I mean why all his girlfriends looked exactly alike. I thought it was sheer coincidence. They were ______. I don't want to give away the plot, in case you want to watch for yourselves. I will let you fill in the blank, if you're curious.
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---This song goes out to all of you ''stuck'' in the same dilemma.

OLDER + WISER? - Bobby Darling Duo

2010-07-11T22:34:00.000-07:00

---Here is a video that introduces us to Poodles Jr. She has made quite an impression on The ''STROKE'' GUY. She has taken over the role of his cyber-helper. She handles things for him since the stroke. She does what she can.
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---Since becoming part of the team, she has had her share of run-ins with the rest of the team. In the video, Glaatu makes a very sexist remark that rubs Poodles Jr., the wrong way. See if Poodles was right to take offense or do you agree with the sexist comment of Glaatu. The Duo doesn't agree. See if the hair on your neck stands on end or what happens?

http://www.archive.org/details/OlderWiser-BobbyDarlingDuo

''ODD and ODDER'' - Bobby Darling Duo...TV!!!!?

2010-05-22T16:52:00.000-07:00

---Another Sampler...or so I thought. YouTube wouldn't accept this and I think I know why. You'll have to watch for yourself.
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---It is for anyone who remembers the Duo, when the boys were still boys...and the TV Show that was talked about. Way before Cable-TV! This was such an ''Obscure Subject'' that even Bobby, himself, may have blocked this from his memory.
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---If you care to view the sampler, it is included below. Mona is caught doing a double take on this one -
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http://www.archive.org/details/BitsAnaPieces-Sampler1

IT'S JUST A CAR by Bobby Darling

2010-04-14T21:53:00.000-07:00

IT'S JUST A CAR -
(Used On NPR - ''Car Talk'')

---For those who refuse to click the link. We see Bobby driving and singing. He wrote the song, also. I had read the words a few times, before I saw the video. I thought the words, without hearing the tune, were very fitting for my situation.
---My nurse said that the video should be shown in traffic schools as it, ‘’ covers many of the fundamentals of taking care of your vehicle.’’ If you are half-listening, it does this. But, as with many of Bobby’s lyrics, ‘’It’s Just A Car,’’ is a metaphor. He is saying that, ''It Is NOT What You Drive, But WHO YOU ARE, After All, It's Just A Car.''
---I had forgotten just how good Bobby plays guitar. After the Doctor does a fine violin solo, which is well-DOCUMENTED and won’t be missed, Bobby plays a bit of guitar. How he comes to have one at this point, and where it goes, is a mystery to us, but it is Bobby playing at his finest. He drives alright, too.
---I've watched the video a number of times and never fail to laugh seeing Bobby in the left-corner of the screen, singing-in harmony, the different types of cars that appear on the rest of the screen. I even find myself wondering how he did that? The ending has a tribute to the Beatles.
---We are promised that this video is the first of many. And he has a new CD to boot. Keep a close watch and buy his CD. If you enjoy ‘’cutting through the mustard,'' you’ll have a good time. .

YouTube Has Done Something Where ALL The Vids Of A Selected Performer Are On The Above Screen. Let First Choice Play, tHEN cLICK aNOTHER.

[Click the VIDEO above, if you've got the chops.]
http://www.mediafire.com/?fw3mt2mnmxy

Song - NO Substitute For YouTube
I realize that this whole blog entry was written awhile, ago.

BOBBY And The ''Chipmunks''

2010-02-23T13:28:00.000-08:00

BDS - ''CHIPMUNKS''

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---Many people have asked, ''what is the story behind the chipmunks? Was it part of the original show, etc.?'' Many have asked ''other-type things,'' also. All I can say is, ''hold it down and I'll get to you.''
---The chipmunk evolved quite as many of us did. It happened over billions and billions of years...but, hold-on, you are referring to the talking, singing, cartoon, ''Chipmunks,'' that were part of the BDS repertoire. You are asking how the BDS became involved with such mega-stars. You want to know more along the lines of how we hooked-up with Alvin, Simon and Theodore. That evolvution was - BDS style. I think that Charles Darwin, himself, has distanced himself from that.
---I want to say that the ''Chipmunks,'' came to hear us play one night, and were very impressed. They came back stage, and after some negotiations, loud-at-times, we came to terms. But, you know as well as I, that it didn't happen like that. That's too ''Cartoon-y.''
---It was like this. We were playing at a place in Cambridge, MA. I think the name was, ''Studley's.'' The year was about 1976. We would ask for requests, and week-after-week, some guy would yell, ''The Chipmunks.'' He was planting the seed.
---As time went on, I half-heartedly asked my friend, Joanne, if she knew of any place I could get ahold of a Chipmunks Record. The Chipmunk Record was just one of many odd things I asked poor Joanne...but, anyway.
---The next day, I had TWO albums in my possession, by David Seville. One was, the ''Chipmunks'' and one was an exact copy of D. Seville speeding-up the tape technique, with the same voices, called - The ''Beavers.'' It was on the Beavers album where, ''Whistle While You Work,'' was found.
---Recording it straight from the record would be ''cute,'' and all, but it definitely needed something. It needed to be Bobby Darling Show - atized, to make it work. I began to bump the needle, so you wouldn't know which part of the song you were on. I did this several-upon-several, times.
---Bobby and Dinsdale, were NOT aware of any of this. I had made a-pair-of-teeth, out of cardboard, for each of us. They resembled Chipmunk teeth. I had the cassette tape of the Beaver/Chipmunks, with the teeth, in my shirt-pocket. All I needed now was the guy to request the ''Chipmunks.'' And like clockwork, near the end of the first set, he called out, ''the Chipmunks.''
---I stopped everything and handed-out the teeth. I gave Bobby, the cassette tape. Remember, nobody knew about this, so even the putting in of the teeth, got laughs. Bobby and Dinsdale still didn't know that this was even about, ''The Chipmunks.''
---Bobby played the tape and both caught on very quickly. Everyone was getting into it. The CUTENESS was beyond-the-beyond. We were ALL dancing, mouthing-the-words and whistling on cue. Everything was this way for awhile, until we reached the part of the tape where I began bumping the needle. Suddenly, NO one knew what part of the song they were on. As I said, I did this lots of times. They were trying to adjust to each section, but, eventually, realized that it was futile.
---The last I saw them do The Chipmunks, was on, ''Touch Of Gray.'' There was Bobby, Don and a ''bass playing female,'' I believe to be, Laurie Dearest. It was a real fun time seeing it on the DVD. ''Touch Of Gray,'' is worth it just for the BDS file footage, alone. The BDS-Chipmunk Bit has evolved and been enhanced, since the beginning. But, we knew we had a ''keeper.'' Alvin, would be proud.

[More On How Special DON GRAY Made A, ''Touch Of Gray,'' At Another Time. Look For Don Gray Story.]

http://bobbydarling.com/, For Those In The Market To Buy DVD. (well worth it.)

The Picture Above Was In The ''Bobby Darling Show'' Newsletter - Feb., 2009. I Told You The CHIPMUNK Bit Was A Keeper. I Have Seen Bobby D. and DR. DIVINE Perform ''The CHIPMUNKS,'' Since I Wrote The Above Story. It Is As, ''Good As Ever,'' To See. (Pictured Above - left-Dr. Divine, middle-The Dinsdale and right-Bobby Darling). The latest is...see APPRECIATION, ETC., - Bobby Darling, etc. It contains a portion of the clip I mentioned, from, ''Touch of GRAY.'' It is PLAYING at ''KNUCKLEHEAD'' THEATER. Oh, that's right. Also, below.
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ENJOY1

KNUCKLEHEAD THEATER -

2009-06-07T22:06:00.000-07:00

Unofficial Grand Opening -

(Far From Complete)
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Many Of The Videos You ''KNOW'' and ''LOVE,'' can, now, be found being shown at ''KNUCKLEHEAD THEATER.''
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Tickets - http://knlhd.blogspot.com, (click) - FREE!

NEW SHOW -

WALLABOUIES - Bobby Darling Song, Video by MrStrokeGuy, Inspiration by POODLES Jr. - A great song by BD, from his ''CURE of FOLLY'' CD. POODLES Jr., makes her presence felt and, frankly, I can use the help. She has brought structure to the topsy-turvy world of living in a hospital, for me. Guess What?? Another MUST SEE!

OLDER + WISER? - Bobby Darling Duo.

POODLES Jr., the Generation X offspring of POODLES D., has joined the crew. She CONGRATULATES the Duo on reaching 1000 YouTube views on the video, ''OLD CAPE COD.'' A Must See, only because it is so different.

''APPRECIATION, ETC. - BOBBY DARLING, ETC.,''

Another Birthday Wish for Bobby D. Going strong at, what is it, 32 years or so? Good Luck and Many More!! A MUST'NT WATCH...Unless you like Groucho, Bud and Lou, Dinsdale, a Chipmunk clip from, ''A Touch of GRAY,'' etc. Oh, Yeah! And Pretty Girls. SCROLL, and avoid, below.

''TABLE TALK'' - Contains a clip of Bobby D. + The Doctor.

Not on YouTube for obvious reasons.

''QUOTES OF FAMOUS PEOPLE-MAYBE'' - Great Bobby Darling Song, from the CD.

TWO SHOWS - MUST SEE!

''SUNDAY MORNING'' - Franconia Notch Band - (The Band BEFORE The BDS.) 1973

DIXIE HOLIDAY and LEROY BROWN - BDS Duo

''NEW'' TURKEY BOXING - Bobby Darling

The ''EGGPLANT'' that ate ''CHICAGO'' - Bobby Darling Duo. (Made DUO Household Name - 1974.) A MUST SEE!

The GLAATU SHOW - GLAATU's Latest, Latest

(Surprise Franconia Notch Song to those who haven't heard it)

''GREAT BIG WORLD'' - Bobby Darling

''OLD CAPE COD'' - Bobby Darling

''DUST ON MY SADDLE'' - GLAATU's Earliest, Latest

''Milk-Shakin' Mama'' - GLAATU Hosts + Thinks Stars.

''ETC.''

BOBBY AND THE COLLIES

2009-03-25T17:39:00.000-07:00

BOBBY AND THE COLLIES -

---Whenever I would visit Bobby's house, I was never greeted by Bobby or any human member of his family. I was greeted by Tammy and Sebastian. They were the two Collie dogs owned by Bobby's Mom and Sister.
---The story goes, if I'm rememberring correctly, Bobby's Mom got Tammy and Bobby's sister, Cheryl, won Sebastian, somehow. I don't remember the exact way they were acquired, but Sebastian would be deemed a ''winner,'' by anyones standard. Tammy had had part of her nose bitten off, as a pup. Nobody quite knew the reason, or they just weren't talking about it.
---Tammy was quite normal, other than the nose thing, but Sebastian, on the other hand, was another story. He wasn't vicious or hard to get along with or anything like that, BUT, he had a telling way about him that proved time-and-time again, that he just didn't quite ''get'' it. He never seemed to know what was going on. He just didn't quite get the concept.
---He would walk into a room and you would know, instantly, that he didn't know why he came into the room. Then he would never know what to do, when he was in there. Many of us may feel the same way, but it is not public knowledge, when we do this. Sebastian would highlight this fact, in his own unique way.
---Bobby's mother had a vision that the two dogs would mate and they could create a business of sorts, by selling the pups. But, it became very clear that, mating, was NOT part of Sebastian's repertoire. Everything else that he did was outside the box, why should anything as instinctual as mating, be any different.
---I always thought that they should have a TV show with Sebastian as the lead - like Lassie. (He did resemble her a bit.) You could have the opening with Sebastion by the pond and the fence. Someone calls Sebastian and then it goes into Lassies theme song using Sebastian's name, instead of Lassie. You could see immediately, that the fence may present a problem to Sebastion.
---Where we find Lassie always doing the right thing and bringing the episode to a close through her intelligence and awareness, we could have Sebastion stumbling into situations, with the episode working out with his ineptness and total lack of cunning and shrewdness. His following of a different drum would be apparent, because it was so natural for him...and everyone was better off, somehow, by him being present. If Sebastian ever ''got'' it, not only would it have amazed many people, but it may have destroyed his ''particular,'' charm.

''Dirty'' Danny And Dave -

2008-03-16T10:33:00.000-07:00

Dave and Danny ---''Dirty,'' Dan and Dave, was what the bit was really known as. It was the ventriloquist act we used to do in the BDS, to end the second set. To this day, I can't throw my voice, but, luckily this wasn't required, to do ventriloquism in the BDS. ---To tell this story, correctly, I do NOT need a ventriloquist dummy. This ''bit'' was done in true BDS - style. On stage, doing ventriloquism, without knowing how to do ventiloquism. ---At the finish of Franconia Notch, I would watch for possible material on television. Bobby and I had our ears open for anything we could adapt for the BDS. Danny and Dave came by way of the Dean Martin Show, with guest performer Albert Brooks. I had seen Albert perform many times, and he usually was good for a few laughs. ---This night he did Danny and Dave. I was alone in the room, and laughing out loud, at the TV. This is NOT something that happened often. ---I did not know what to expect, but here is what I remember. Albert came out and was holding an inexpensive Danny O'Day puppet. The ventriloquist dummy that sold for about $17.00 at most dept. stores in the 70's. ---Danny and Dave, had the exact same voice. Daves mouth would move when he did his own voice, and when he did the dummy's voice. The only distinction was that Dannys mouth would move, also, when he was speaking.

. ---They were done with the talking part, and moved into the cigarette part. Albert dropped the dummy, to a crash landing, on the floor. He reached into his own pocket, and took out a cigarette. He very carefully put it between his lips, lit it and began smoking it. He had seemingly forgotten about Danny, who was in a pile on the floor. ---He saw that he had forgotten about Danny and tried to continue the act. Next, was the water. He was going to drink the water, while Danny sang the song. Dave sang the first part and now was Dannys turn. Dave drank the water and it all came out when Danny sang. He repeated this. I was really laughing at this point because it was just so stupid. ---For the finale, he said he was going to try something that most ventriloquists don't do. Danny was going to drink the water while he sang the song. He was singing and pouring water into the Dummys mouth. I couldn't believe at how much I was laughing at this. The whole thing was so clever and stupid, that I didn't see how it could miss. We did Danny and Dave, and after a few different adaptations, we knew, also, we had a keeper. ---In the final adaptation, we had three parts. Bobby would set the premise, by introducing, ''The Worst Ventriloquism Act - IN THE WORLD.'' (In True BDS - Style, He Was Making It Easy To Live-Up-To.) We had, 1] banter with the dummy, 2] singing with water, and 3] the third part that made it all work.

. ---On the third part, the music and the dummy's voice were on tape. I would waltz with the dummy, while the music played. Bobby had done the chords for the song, ''Yesterday,'' on the tape. ---I sang the first verse of the song, straight, as it is on the record. When I was done, I would set my mouth (and NOT move it) - while the dummy's voice would come out of the speakers. It was easy for me as his voice was pre - recorded. It, actually, looked like I was throwing my voice. The Dummy, however, was singing different words than what were written by Paul McCartney. They were quite ''dirty.'' Hence the name, Dirty Dan. ---As Dave, I would be a little surprised, and shake the dummy to get ''him'' to sing the correct words. He would continue the ''different,'' words. I would shake him all the more, when he did. Eventually, his head would FALL off. I loosened it, so this would happen. I expected this, but the audience didn't. ---I would try to make things as ''slapstick and chaotic,'' as possible. I would sit in the water, from earlier, and try to put his head back on. I'd be on the floor, screwing on Danny's head, while he was still singing on the tape. The audience would finally realize, once and for all, that the Dummy was on tape. This was NOT obvious at first, but soon ALL caught on. (If you listened carefully, you could hear the audience catching-on.) As I said, I would try to make things as chaotic as possible. I would even try to put my own head on the Dummy's body. ---To end all this, I would resign myself to the futility of trying to make things right. The song was ending, and I was getting ready to leave. Bobby would be on stage, now, saying, ''let's have a big hand for Dirty Dan and Dave. Weren't They TERRIBLE?'' People were applauding and laughing, as I took my leave. We would take, a much-needed, break, at this point.

''RESPECT YOUR DUMMY'' - Has been removed. YouTube wiped the audio track and it no longer made any sense, (NOT that it ever did.)

(Their Is NO Truth To The Rumor, That Anything ''Vicarious,'' Was Happening Between Danny and a BDS Member)

Check Out - The Bobby Darling Comment

An Albert Brooks' video is, also, now, playing at KNUCKLEHEAD THEATER

Mrs. GR ''A'' Y

2008-02-24T13:38:00.000-08:00

Mrs. Gr ''A'' y -

---It has been over a year, now, since the passing of Don Gray. In one of my jaunts around the hospital, a memory of Don and his mother, hit me. (The dates of posting on blog are sometimes Not chronological. They are changed for placement purposes.)
---Bobby and I were in the band, Franconia Notch, and Don Gray was hired as the drummer. His obvious talents aside, and with his vehicle that would hold ALL the equipment in the background...Don, also, had a third reason why we should hire him -
up his sleeve. It was the fact that he had a place for us to play on New Years Eve (1973-74).
---To set the stage a bit...Bobby had written a song, a few years before, called, ''Mrs. A.'' It was about an older woman in his neighborhood who had -

''A piano in the middle of the room - That played our songs a little out of tune''

it was one of the slower songs that we seemed to need in our repertoire. It was, especially, good for a crowd that did more slow dancing or an older crowd that, also, did more slow dancing. ''These young kids, nowadays, with their long hair and hippie music...I digress.'' I don't doubt that Bobby remembers the song, but, probably, hasn't played it in many years.
---On that particular New Years, we were presented with a golden opportunity...to make the night right. What I mean, here, is that we weren't really the ''best'' band for that night. If you ever saw the Blues Brothers movie, you will know what I'm talking about. I, myself, played the, ''Alley Cat,'' on Kazoo, after being taught how it goes from an audience member. I played it...twice during the evening, as an example.
---We had the song, ''Mrs. A.'' We were hired to play this gig by Don's Mother, ''Mrs. Gray.'' You do the math. We changed the song to Mrs. Gray and introduced it as a song for Dons Mom. With Jeff T. singing the lead, every song we had sounded better. We had a danceable, very personally dedicated song and suddenly something that we all could relate to. Talk about your win-win-win, situation. They were even talking about having us back. In a sense, the song, ''Mrs. A,'' pulled another night out of the dumper, and made it work.

(Hear Jeff sing lead on, ''SUNDAY MORNING,'' by Franconia Notch, below.)

The BOBBY DARLING SHOW - SONGS (1974)

2007-12-31T19:39:00.000-08:00

Songs From ''Original'' Bobby Darling Show Duo -

---These songs were recorded at a Nightclub called, The ''Rocking Horse,'' in Hartford, CT. We recorded soon after we started, so the time is around - late 1974. As I said, we had a goodtime. The performance was a ''fun'' time for us. Bobby is going strong in 2009, thirty-five years after we started. He must be doing something right.

A Song About A Guy Trying To, ''Get Away From His Girlfriend,'' Called, ''How Can I Miss You When You Won't Go Away?'' -

http://www.mediafire.com/?aamt1l4m9kb

A Normal Song, By A Normal Guy, Named, Mr. Normal. A Song Called - ''NORMAL''
http://www.mediafire.com/?6vmtp1g9mgw
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A Song That Made The BDS A Household Name With The Soda Fountain Set - ''Milk-Shakin' Mama.'' -
http://www.mediafire.com/?2g9npmdymzg

I Am In Vocal Disguise, Until The Marshall Shows Up To Free Me. A Song Called, ''Dust On My Saddle.'' -

http://www.mediafire.com/?4bz82tddxmm

I Received Some NEW, ''OLD'' Photos, Today (10/2/07). Look For Changes. Many Thanks, Cindi L. And BD.

Today, (5/10/08), I Learned To Crop!

A Tale-Of-Two CD's - Bobby Darling

2007-12-19T20:49:00.000-08:00

TWO CD's -
The Bobby Darling Show

---There were a few songs here, whose title, alone, made me want to hear what BD did with that song. Black Magic Marker, Andy Was The Sheriff, What Bobby Had Done With The Cast From Gilligan's Island, etc. I must admit, I laughed out loud at different times. I could imagine doing these songs to unsuspecting people, and watching their reaction.
---Then, I realized, Bobby could always play the Dickens' out of the guitar, and he had a ''Pip'' of a stage presence. He was a lot of fun to watch. The Bobby Darling Show, Strikes Again, for me, anyway.
---I have to qualify a bit. I received two Bobby Darling CD's, simultaneously - The Best Of The BDS and The Cure Of Folly. The ''Best Of,'' has the parodies that he has been doing. The ''Cure,'' has original material.
---I remember both sides of Bobby D. Both CD's are very good and very clever. On stage we were more successful doing the parodies. It was priceless seeing someone experience the ''punch line,'' for the first time. The response was real good and so honest, that you couldn't compare it to anything. For that moment, the crowd reaction was untouchable.
---I can understand BD writing, other-type material. And, I know that listening to both CD's, one after another - can be the best of times, and/or, can be the worst of times, but that would be because moods can change. Maybe, you just had a mood swing. I don't know. Ask the Doctor.

---I want to share something that I DID notice - for those of you who haven't been in the BDS, which is some of you, maybe. Bobby's original material is every bit as good as the parodies. The tunes aren't as recognizable, (I hope,) but the Bobby Darling trademark is all over it.
---His enjoyment and point of view, is unmistakeable. If you don't find yourself humming, ''Let's Not Talk About Love,'' or ''Wallabouies,'' or ''It's Just A Car,'' your BDS license should be revoked. Or, maybe, you should do some community service. I'm just kidding.
---I'll be the second to admit it. Bobby, himself, might be the first, but...it is difficult for me to be completely objective about what BD does. Even, though, I was the first to call him Bobby Darling. (The name idea was his.) His tunes, sophistication and videoes, astound me, sometimes.

---It wasn't him that did it, but he was in a band where their road manager had to unplug one end of the microphone cord from the other. Now, with some of the things he does, I, myself, may be the one doing that, figuratively. For a Geezer, he does pretty well for himself. I'm kidding. (One of his songs is - GEEZER BLUES.)
---Hearing on CD and seeing him on YouTube, where you should ALL be heading when we're done, makes me semi-smile. (I had a stroke. It's about the best I can do.) I really enjoy his work. Bobby is as vibrant and vital as ever. I look forward to his next. With someone as prolific as he has been, lately, that could be any day. The two CD's total 34 new songs. Whoa!!

[Just As An Aside - Someday, I May Tell You About The MAGIC ''GUILLOTINE,'' Bobby Bought, And Had ''Dinsdale,'' Build. They Used It On ''Little'' Ricky's, (Don Gray's,) First Night. I Am Glad I Was Home...Eating Cake, At That Time. It Was A DISASTER.] Victor Hugo.

http://bobbydarling.com/

THE BOBBY DARLING SHOW - FIRST TIME

2007-11-09T06:03:00.000-08:00

The ''Mrs. Robinson'' - AFFAIR

---There was another time, about The ''ORIGINAL,'' Bobby Darling Show Duo, that I alluded to, but didn't give a lot of detail. It was the ''Rusty Scupper,'' FIRST AUDITION.
---We were all set to go off on our own. The band, Franconia Notch, was fun, but trying to keep everyone happy, was NOT. After a year, Franconia Notch, was in trouble. We were, probably in trouble, from the get-go, but the naivite was running rampant. A great talent, in itself. Let me say that, ''it is VERY DIFFICULT to play musical subtleties, in a bar. As a matter-of-fact, it is hard to do/be anything subtle, in a bar.'' We learned this, very well.
---But, we had an audition to do. The Rusty Scupper was always looking for NEW ACTS. We were a new act, so to speak. Franconia Notch played and did well as Franconia Notch, there. Somehow, Bobby and Myself, were going to duplicate the success of the band, but do it in the more BDS Style. We were either, too, subtly overt or overt in our new subtle way...but, in either case, we did NOT - ''PASS THE AUDITION.''
---We were set up early enough. Probably, TOO early. The management gave us...two hours to wait. Here we were - in a bar, with two hours to spend. That is the night, we met our new friend, ''Gin-and-Tonic.'' I think, by the time the two hours were up, we met many members of her family, also. They were a happy bunch, quite seductive...though, if I remember right, NOT VERY COHERENT.
---As I said, ''by the time the management was ready, we were, probably, more than ready.'' I will add, here, ''and then some.'' Hey, we were young and going to be on stage, soon. I know these aren't good reasons or even good excuses, but our new friend, that foul temptress, ''Gin-and-Tonic,'' was NOT concerned with anything TOO subtle, anymore.
---The BDS was playing LIVE, for the first time, anywhere. It was off and running. We had learned 50 songs in the 3 week period going from FN to BDS. I say learned quite loosely, here, because we weren't justifying our three week layoff, too well. Let me explain.
---Unknown to Bobby and Myself...our new friend, ''G-and-T,'' was auditioning at the EXACT time, we were. She had the same songlist, too. AMAZING. We began with Mrs. Robinson, a crowd pleaser. G-and-T, did, also. Well, either she or Bobby, forgot the chords. Maybe, it was the combination of the two of them. I'm NOT quite clear on this, myself...But, I HAVE MY SUSPICIONS.
---I didn't know which part of the song these ''foreign'' chords belonged. I looked over and quickly realized Bobby didn't know these chords, either. Our new-old friend, ''Gin-and-Tonic,'' didn't really care where they belonged. She was having fun, just playing them. I knew we were in trouble. But in true BDS Style - we never let this fact be known. Out of the blue, the chord for, ''coo coo kachoo,'' was hit, and we finished up the song. At least this is the story I'm sticking to.
---After the confused, but polite, applause...the bewildered, easily befriended, NEVER TO BE BELITTLED (though, we did have our doubts,) Bobby Darling Show Duo, continued. The Seals and Croft CLASSIC, ''Summer Breeze,'' was the next song we ATTEMPTED. Well, here, again, it was NOT really a breeze...but that's another story. As the second song, we unintentionally subjected it to much the same treatment, as the first. NOT Being Sure Of The LEAD VOCAL, is NOT A Crime...at least we didn't wake up in jail, as I remember.
---Don Gray, ''Little'' Ricky - to the BDS expert, suggested a club that would take our subtle overtness or our overt subtlety, or whatever it was, we did, in stride. Or, better yet...THEY WOULD NEVER NOTICE. The BDS passed their audition, with flying colors. As a matter-of-fact, we were hired for the whole summer, after the first set. The BDS had its first job. $60.00 per night. Three nights a week. After expenses, a cool $81.00 each, in our pockets. We were SUCCESSES! We had, finally, made it...and in such a short time. If we smoked cigars, we COULD have bought them, now. But, we didn't, so, we didn't. [As far as the Gin-and-Tonic affair, we learned that BEFRIENDING her, and her family, was a very WRETCHED event...soon, and the next morning.]

Mrs. Robinson, Along With ''SIDE-KICK,'' Gin-and-Tonic, Helped, The BDS - ''Graduate,'' That Night.

Check Out - The Bobby Darling Comment.

Where It ALL Began -

2007-10-27T20:48:00.000-07:00

GENE AUTRY...

The Singing Cowboy (An Early BD Idol)

See BIO - http://bobbydarling.com/, For Details - Come Back.

FRANCONIA NOTCH -

2007-07-31T14:06:00.000-07:00

Franconia Notch -

''The NAME Wasn't Changed, And NO One Was Protected''-
.
---This is the band that Bobby Darling and I were in, before The BDS. We did original material, for the most part. Most of the songs we played were from Bobby D., Jeff T., and Mike G. We ALL arranged and added where we saw necessary. Unfortunately, we did NOT record very much. What you hear is from a first set songlist we would use at the, ''Pigs Ear,'' Holyoke, MA., and other clubs. The actual recording was at the one-and-only, (we think,) Walrus Studio. The year is 1973.
.
Song Written By Mike G., Bobby D., And Myself. Lead Singer, Jeff T. - ''Sunday Morning''
http://www.mediafire.com/?bgszty0djdn
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Song Written By Bobby Darling. Lead Vocal - Bobby D.. Back Up Vocals - Jeff T., Bobby D. (Overdub) - ''Don't Step On The Dog''
http://www.mediafire.com/?2hhzeh9xw9w
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Song Written By Bobby Darling. Lead Vocal - Jeff T., And Fred M., Back Up Vocal - Bobby D. - ''Two Houses''
http://www.mediafire.com/?bnev2zzxodm

The Name, Franconia Notch, Was Straight From National Geographic. It is the location of, ''The Old Man of the Mountaln.'' It May Have Been - Page 42.

WALRUS STUDIO - 1st Incarnation

2007-07-30T22:26:00.000-07:00

It Was Originally In Bobbys Parents Basement -

Myself (Lead Vocal), Ed F. (Guitar, Vocal) Bobby D. (Guitar, Vocal) - ''BIRDS''

. http://www.mediafire.com/?b0drg9nhzm3

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Ed F., (Lead Vocal, Guitar), Bobby D. (Guitar, Vocal) - Myself (Vocal) - ''Where I'm Bound''
http://www.mediafire.com/?7nswldm3dzs
.

Myself (Vocal), Bobby D. (Vocals, Guitars) (Overdubbing - w/Equalizer) - ''This Boy''
http://www.mediafire.com/?9ymjwwnqroe

Read More of The Origins of ''Walrus Studio.''

http://www.mediafire.com/?fkmmmckmiml

More Info In Future. [Please Disregard ''FRANCONIA NOTCH,'' Logo. Bobbys Wife Is A Lawyer.]

Touch Of GRAY

2007-07-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

''Other Than His Name - DON Was...NOT, Very GRAY.''

.
---This is the DVD that Bobby Darling put together, commemorating Don Gray's time with the BDS, until Don's passing, April 9, 2007. I may get a bit excited about Bobby's work, but this DVD looks as good as any I have seen, by anyone. Extra Kudos, on this one.
---Bobby sent a copy to me, as I was gathering my pennies to purchase one. [This may NOT be quite true.] I am very honored to own one. Don would like to give rise to the enjoyment that he undoubtly showed on the DVD. You could see that it was there, and he was having a good time, [his words,] ''in a business he had no business being in.''
---There are some overdubs from an interview Bobby had with Don. The DVD makes one aware that Don enjoyed his timespent, immensely. He talks of a goal [I'm paraphrasing] to do it his way, and it seems that he did. He looks like he was doing what he had good time doing, and this certainly made his own journey and those who were priveleged to know him, quite a pleasant affair.
---There is much BDS footage, and worth to get just from that angle. There are many highlights over the almost three decades of BDS, with Don.
---Seeing the ''Chipmunks,'' was a kick. Don doing a Louis Armstrong impression, which is quite good. ''Uncle'' Don, with Bobbys daughter, Billie, [still in diapers.] ''Wipeout,'' that will floor you. [Bobby plays guitar behind his head.] Don doing his Mick Jagger, thing, from Philadelphia. The footage is a real gem.

.
Then We Have DON:
---He was aware of his condition, and knew very well that his days were numbered. One never felt that this was a ''bad'' thing, while viewing the DVD. The video was much more a celebration of time, ''well-spent.'' The idea of ''regret,'' never entered into it.

---This certainly is ''Acceptance Personified,'' in a way we rarely see. Don touched me, and I'll bet, many. An amazing peformance and wonderful tribute. Nice job, guys. Don showed us just how special he was. May we ALL accept our situations with the same poise that Don has shown us.

---Great e-mail---
This is from the same interview, but never made it to the DVD. When I received it, it nearly blew me away. We see Don on screen, and hear Bobby Darlings voice.

http://www.mediafire.com/?4kyrnlxzj2c

Give It A Chance To Boot Up. Thanks, Again, Guys.

DON GRAY, 1951 - 2007

2007-07-28T04:14:00.000-07:00

DON GRAY - One Of His First Nights With BDS

(He Must Have Thought, You're Supposed To Wave At Cameras)

---Don passed away 2 days after his birthday. He passed April 9, 2007. I found out from Bobby Darling. It happened 5:15 AM, Monday morning.

---Don had been ill for awhile. I, personally, didn't realize that the end was as near as it was. I haven't seen Don or Bobby, other than e-mails and video, in about 27 years.

---I remember the day Don showed up to audition for the band Bobby and I were in before The Bobby Darling Show. The name of that band was ''Franconia Notch.'' The name of the band came directly from National Geographic. In that band was Fred McKay, the father of Adam McKay, of SNL fame.

---Don showed up with his drum set and out of an afternoon of hearing drummers, we selected Don. He, also, owned a vehicle that could haul some of the equipment, which didn't hurt his chances of being chosen.

---Without much discussion, we decided on Don Gray. The choice was one of the few things we were ALL agreeing on at that point. It wasn't too tough, as we ALL felt comfortable with Don, and I will say, he with us.

--After about a year of playing with Don, ''Franconia Notch,'' dissolved. That is when Bobby and I, formed, ''The Bobby Darling Show.'' Don really got Bobby and I our first gig, in Holyoke, MA. It was a little place that held a lot of people. It was the ''Broadview.'' Don suggested this club after Bobby and I ''bombed-out,'' on our first audition. We had set-up to audition, but the club owner told us to wait awhile. By the time the club was ready, and the involvement of some Gin-and- Tonic, we were, I guess, more than ready. Not to belabor the point, but the ''Broadview,'' would be better than playing for some diners, especially if we intended to involve, ''Gin-and-Tonic.'' We learned a lesson that night.

---Don was always very supportive of what Bobby and I were doing. He would come to see us quite often.

---If you read the BIO section of the official Bobby Darling website, you will see that I left The BDS on New Years Eve, 1978, and Don Gray joined. They began playing, a month or so, after.

---Don played the drums and added to the comedy. I saw them play on Cape Cod, that summer. I thought that the drums made a big difference. Dinsdale played the bass, Bobby on guitar, and they had ''Little Ricky,'' [Don Gray] on drums. They were a real trio and much more danceable. I was getting ready to join the Jesuits, which is a whole 'nother story.

---I saw them play a few times after that, and saw how well Don fit into our particular craziness. The picture above was provided by Cindi L. For different picture, see http://bobbydarling.com./ I, admit, I didn't know Don as well as I maybe should have, but as my brother, Peter, said, ''Don always seemed like a nice guy.'' I have to agree. RIP, Don.

[Check-out Bobby Darling YouTube of, ''SATISFACTION.'' It features Don Gray doing Mick Jagger Impression.'']

The BDS Banner

2007-07-27T10:45:00.000-07:00

Bobby Darling Show - BANNER (Finally)

The ORIGINAL

.
---I don't know where it is, now, but I wish that I ended up with it. Some may remember what I'm talking about. It hung behind us, usually frontwards, but sometimes backwards, depending if people were still eating.
---Some club owners were more than squeamish, at times. Let's say, if they were trying to run a restaurant, the answer was often, ''don't turn it around until the crowd has eaten, digested and well on their way to...relaxing.
---The banner wasn't so bad, at least to Bobby and myself. The banner, itself, pre-dates The ''Dinsdale.'' (Dinsdale dating the banner, was out-of-the-question.) I thought it set a good premise. It was certainly durable and never came apart, while I was there. That was 450 performances.
---The background was a red corduroy that my mother sewed together. It was 3 pieces, when we bought it. The original plan was to build a square area that we could easily assemble, and place somewhere on the stage. We were going to make this ''dressing room,'' about porta-potty, size. We bought some dowls, with this in mind. We couldn't get the, ''Official BDS Dressing Room,'' to stand, on its own. Realizing that this was NOT going to be easy, it seemed like the only recourse we had was, to give up. We went and got something to eat.

---The ''Banner,'' itself, had more endurance than we did. We sold the dowls to Bobby's Father, and were done with it. We had to re-think the whole thing, but, thankfully, there was nobody hurt in the process. Like many BDS situations, we figured the problem would somehow solve itself.
---The lettering was a yellow, that in a rounded kind of way said, ''THE BOBBY DARLING SHOW.'' The lettering fit around a dog, also in yellow. The dog had to ''squat'' in a certain way. We wanted to be sure his ''business-end,'' was free. Bobby posed for that. My Mother thought that Bobby posing as, ''a squatting dog,'' was quite funny. I thought that Bobby took to it too readily, and was too comfortable. After the slew of obligitory jokes, Bobby was done...posing. There was only one last ''thing'' to draw. Bobby didn't have to pose for that. Nobody did, actually. We ALL knew what ''it,'' looked like.
---Not that there was any mistaking what it was, but the markings and fume lines were being sure that mistaking it was NOT an option. No one said much about it, other than the clubowners. We never heard from the diners, except the ''usual'' food noises.
---Bobby and I didn't pay much attention to it. The biggest concern was that it was placed so we could get dressed, or undressed...and then redressed, behind it. It really was just part of The BDS scenery. A ''Sonny'' Darling, spur-of-the moment, ''moon,'' could hardly be blamed on the banner. The banner kept things quite legal for a number of years.
---Over time, I have learned to let the banner, go. What could I do? I had to. It wasn't as though I had a ''special bond,'' with the banner. I mean, I wasn't married to it. It was only a banner. Right?!?!

[As You Probably Have Guessed By Now, Cindi L. Provided Picture Of The BANNER.]

YES, There Was A BDS Embarassment

2007-07-19T22:23:00.000-07:00

Cindi L. Provided Picture. Bobby In Wig. VERY MILD, In Comparison To ''POODLES'' D.

A One Night Stand:

''POODLES'' Darling

.
---I'd like to say that the hype behind, Poodles Darling, lived up to itself, but it didn't. We all have a ''Poodles'' Darling, in our past. Napoleon had his ''Waterloo,'' The Beatles had the ''Magical Mystery Tour.'' We knew that we had to add something new, something very viable, and we chose, Poodles D., unfortunately. Let me explain.
---We had been playing at Barristers, for a few months. We were getting a bit old. It is very difficult to make the same ad-libs sound fresh, the sixth and seventh time around. To the regulars, maybe the sixteenth or seventeenth. We had to do something new. Rehearsal seemed inevitable. There were only two of us, and we hung around together, much of the time. There was always a guitar, handy. We never had to be so formal, as to officially rehearse.
---There is a Frank Zappa song, where the girl is named Poodles. She does things in the song that seemed fitting, AT THE TIME. Poodles Darling, was born...a sad day in the BDS annals.
---We went to Toys R' Us, the next day. From there, we went to the Novelty Shop, where I was becoming a regular customer. I was buying 50 plastic kazoos per day. Business was booming. The philosophy we had was one where if Bobby was attired, properly, and with enough stuff, the song didn't make that much of a difference, [just in case it bombed.] [Which IT DID.]
---Bobby came on stage wearing Roller Skates, A Long-hair blond wig, a set of bicycle handlebars, a no-sleeve basketball type jersey with a huge pair-of-plastic-boobs, prominently displaying themselves. Did I mention the Horn he was tooting, the whole time? The Frank Zappa song was so far in the background, that you couldn't even hear it.
---Nobody, really knew what was going on, which was probably just as well. First of all, the Roller Skating, alone, could have withstood, another 50 or 60 lessons. He was all over-the-place, just from that standpoint. And that was the highlight. From the wig, to the handle-bars, to the boobs - everything was TOO BIG [except the crowd reaction.] Even the Horn, was annoying. With the skates and everything, he could hardly stand-up.
---After the, ''Poodles Darling,'' fiasco, we took a short break. Fans would bring-up poor-old ''Poodles,'' from time-to-time, but we steered clear and let her rest. As a matter of fact, I don't think she has ever been heard from again, that I know of. Maybe, someone should ask Bobby Darling, just to be sure, next time you see him. Wear something on your feet to run in, though, when you do. It may still be a sore spot, in the BDS history. (I wish I had a picture to show you, from that event, but none exist, I don't think?) It wasn't quite the, ''Titanic,'' or anything, but in the annals of BDS history, it was, ''A Night To Remember.''
To Distract You From The EMBARASSMENT, Here's Bobby And Myself. (Before Dinsdale.)
http://www.mediafire.com/?2g9npmdymzg

YAKETY-YAK

2007-07-17T21:23:00.000-07:00

Yakety-Yak
''Don't Talk Back''

.
---''Take Out The Papers And The Trash...'' The year was 1976, and the place was called, ''Barristers.'' It had been a restaurant, for years, but now it was bought by three young lawyers (barristers.) Their wives and even one of the lawyers, mother, worked there.
---They were hesitant to hire us at first, ''deliberating'' their decision, for weeks and weeks. They were NOT quite sure if we should play there, or not. Our material was for a younger audience and the BDS Banner, was a definite problem. (They weren't sure that the Dog, was NOT going to affect the eaters.)
---It may seem like a no - brainer out-of-context, but, everyone would have such a good time, that the fact that it may seem disgusting to you, was quickly overrided. The people I talked to, didn't bother over analyzing the show. They were too busy having fun. Actually, over - analyzing, became my ''thing.'' I got way too far into that. I DIGRESSED...for a time. But...I digress.
---As, I have said, at times, ''we were becoming polished, at being unpolished.'' It was BDS style. Now, I was noticing something else. We were, actually, PLAYING MUSIC.
---We had a Cavalcade of Stars, present, that night. Tex was there for the ''drinking contest.'' All I can say about that is we were young at the time, and didn't consider the dangers involved. I don't recommend that ANYONE try that. My brother, Panama ''Pete,'' was there. (He once played a ''chair'' on stage, with us, in Holyoke, MA. He was telling people that he couldn't afford music lessons, as a kid.)
---There was a disc jockey, from a local radio station - Dave O. Tables full of waitresses, on their off night. Pooch and his entourage. Joanne was there, with her girlfriends. And, of course, Cindi L., with her camera. She, probably, had two or three people, with her, also. It was a crowded house. The joint was, definitely, jumping.
---Why I say that this sounded, almost like music, is because we had ''LJ,'' that night. Luscious Johnny. He played the King Curtis sax part, like the record. And it was good.
---Bobby and I sang in harmony. We could sing pretty good, together, when the words were stacatto, especially. (There would be less of-a-chance, that I would go flat.) Dinsdale was playing bass. Bobby playing his lead-rhythm, and LJ played the sax. When we got to the middle, that is what blew me away. It kind of sounded like the Coasters record. And that is in its entirety. My brother, remarked, later on, ''how good it was.''
---The Bobby Darling Show, had gone from the ''pretending, we are good,'' phase, to the, actual, ''good, sometimes,'' phase. What could possibly happen next? And were we ready? ALL I CAN SAY IS, Stay Tuned - Next, Bobby Darling Show - Phase. Next, Bobby Darling Show - Mishap.

(LJ Didn't Play With BDS Very Long. See, Official Bobby Darling Website, For Exact Dates)

THERE'S THE ''WHOLE'' BDS PICTURE, AGAIN!!

2007-07-12T20:55:00.000-07:00

The Story About The Picture -

.
---Many people have written and ask, what is the story with that picture, and why do you keep using the same one? The picture is the only one I have, but I would use others, if I could.
---At one time, there existed a scrapbook of Bobby, Myself, The ‘’Dinsdale’’ and ‘’Luscious’’ Johnny, our saxophone, pianist, who could sing and move equipment. He was multi-talented. The scrapbook was one of those irreplaceable things I left-behind, when I high-tailed it from, MA. My brother searched my old belongings, but the scrapbook was nowhere to be found.
---The picture, survived. My brother, Peter, had that. It originally appeared in the centerfold-section of a, ‘’What‘s Happening on Cape-Cod,’’ mag, with the staple and all, and was the size of the magazine. The mag itself, was a product of our former manager.
---How Charlie became our manager, is a memory. He wanted to manage us, ‘’in-the-worse-way.’’ I think he got his wish. Dinsdale thought we were merciless to him, but I think he expected it. We really only gave him a hard time, and it was probably no more difficult than any other trauma he may have faced in his life. I mean, we never charged him money, just to hang-out with us, or anything.
---The picture was a centerfold, and was all over the Cape. We had fun with that fact. I would enjoy showing the scrapbook, but what can you do? A fan, Cindi L., took the scrapbook pictures.
---With the Centerfold, there was an accompanying short article. The magazine was something that Charlie was doing, so having us be the centerfold, worked out from all directions.
---The picture of the three-of-us, appeared a few different times, without the staple. I do not know if any of the original Cape Cod magazine, still exists. The Centerfold picture itself was taken by Russ G. He and his fraternal twin brother, Ronny, lived with the Dinsdale. Ronny was our manager for a little while, also. Come to think of it, we seemed to have lots of managers, for a little while. I wonder what that is all about?

---Oh, Yeah. The actual writing and asking about the picture, has never happened. But, you just don't know about these things, until they do. Be Good.

Since I Wrote This, Cindi L. Has Come Through With A Bunch Of NEW, ''OLD'' BDS Photos, From Her Personal Collection. Thanks, Cindi.

''Make Room For Dinsdale''

2007-07-04T15:48:00.000-07:00

Going From TWO, To Three:
The (Original + One) Bobby Darling Show -

---Bobby wanted to make a personnel change. He wanted to add someone. I must admit that his intentions were always to make the show, ''more musical,'' and not just to add someone for the sake of adding someone. This all happened, late 1975.
---I didn't have much to argue about, but that didn't stop me. My basic argument was, ''we're doing alright, why add someone?'' It seemed short, sweet and to the point. But, Bobby always had this idea, to actually play music. In retrospect, I can hardly blame him. I've heard the early tapes, myself. Of the two of us, he is definitely the one, with the musical talent.
---The other funny thing was that Bobby used to read, a lot. Not funny, Ha, Ha. But, funny, unexpected. He had something of a philosophical book, going all the time. And he was forever going to build or do something, that was in whichever other book he was reading. He always had a lot of ideas. The ideas were always sound, as far as I was concerned, just as long as
as he didn't think he was going to do them, NOW. Because, then, what would I do? My own particular direction was pretty vague. Bobby was my apparent mealticket. At present, I didn't see any point in messing with it. But, if we had gone our separate ways, even then, we both would have adapted easily. We both were pretty resilient.
---We really lucked out with The ''Dinsdale.'' (Not his real-name.) His real name is Ernie D. He could sing, play guitar and was very funny. He had been doing roofing with his Dad, and jumped at the chance to play with The BDS. (Figuratively. NOT, off the roof.)
---He had a Curly Howard-type of appeal. He looked liked the Cowardly Lion, in, ''The Wizard of Oz.'' He was dubbed ''Buff'' Darling, for awhile. Of course, that didn't last. He was very talented, and added immensely to the show. Another talented individual. What's a boy to do? Things were going pretty well, at this point.
---The name of Dinsdale, is directly from the character Dinsdale Piranha, a fictional character from Monty Python. Dinsdale P. was afraid of giant Hedgehogs. I think Dinsdale Darling may have liked giant Hedgehogs, but I'm not sure.
---We were branching out, now. Dinsdale could also do a pretty good Roy Orbison. We quickly added, ''Oh, Pretty Woman,'' and ''Cryin.''' We, also, added, for good measure, ''Mack, The Knife.'' We could do, ''The Boogie-Woogie Bugle Boy,'' now, too. This was a song Bobby and I had done with, ''Franconia Notch.'' (Our old Band.)
---Dinsdale would ask me, on occasion, if his coming to the BDS was a good thing? I would always tell him that it was a good thing, but would always add, ''but we didn't really need you.'' I'd like to add here, if you're reading this Dins...''Don't Give Up The Day Job.'' I'm Kidding. Maybe, it is time to take a leave of absence. He was great, and a pretty good friend.
---That really is the story of how the BDS went from Bobby and Myself, to three. I have given you the ''Nutshell,'' version. You have to wait for the Movie, if 3-D is important to you. Of course, the Nutshell version, seems appropriate, especially if you ever saw us perform. As I said before, ''a goodtime was had by all...at least by us.'' Take Care.

B.D. - Before Dinsdale.

http://www.mediafire.com/?aamt1l4m9kb

The BOBBY DARLING Show

2006-11-13T08:48:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
(Paul Meet Joe - BDS History In The Making)

---I used to be with The Bobby Darling Show, http://bobbydarling.com/, but it was NOT the BDS where it began. I had known Bobby as a Freshman in High School. We were in the same Homeroom, but we really didn't spend much time together. We were in different ''programs,'' both figuratively and normally. Who was really the most normal, all I can say is that the jury is still out on that, and may have left the building. Or, maybe, they are just using the ''restroom.'' What I can say for sure is that he did attend the same high school, as far as I know, as I did. At least I think he did. He sat near me as our names were close in the alphabet. [L and H.]
---I remember how Joe, that's what we called him, then. Joe used to have many friends and he was a Master, or close to it, at getting attention. It seemed that he knew what he was doing in his own naive way. Joe had FUN while everyone else seemed a bit serious.
---An important fact is that Joe was NOT particularly obnoxious, either. He knew when to back off, most of the time. A quality he seemed to have was that he was NOT trying to make a ''fool'' out of anyone. I think that having FUN was a priority.
---It was a treat for us when Joe led the Religion class. The teacher, a Priest, knew this and gave Joe ''free rein'' a number of times. It was not that we learned anything, but it was so enjoyable. He seemed to sense how far to push the ''envelope.'' A good time was had by all.
---I knew that I could do what Joe did, all I would need is the opportunity. Since someone had told me that, ''To give up an opportunity, was an opportunity in it... - Well, I digress.''
---I became paired with Joe at different HS functions, and we became friends, I think. At a Retreat we were paired. We had to state something about the ''other'' person that we liked. He said he liked my sense-of-humor. I said, ''Nice pants.'' That was the beginning of a very good, though symbiotic, relationship. I was the latcher while he was the latchee, for most of it.
---I bought a reel-to-reel Tape Recorder, and things took off. I don't know if you can relate one thing or event that had directional changes in your Life, but the Tape Recorder was it for me. Suddenly, I was semi - popular. I was, now, Joe's ''official'' Recording Engineer. [This was just one of the many make-believe titles I held over the years in Lada-Darling ''Dukedom.''] [I think Head-of-Logistics, was the most accurate--given to me by Relationship Observer and former roommate, Mr. Reynolds.]
---Second-Banana is a role I felt very comfortable in. We had a lot of fun, on and off the ''stage.'' We were both ''on'' much of the time, if you catch the drift. Not drugs or anything, though marijuana did play a part at times, but good old-fashion laughter. We basically ''got'' each other, so their was a lot of fun to be had.
---He was the ''musician,'' and former ''class-clown,'' [though he referred to himself as School Humorist. It sounded like an official appointing that way.] I was an introverted ''Second-Banana'' in search of some ''Coat Tails.'' This is what I meant by symbiotic. Bobby was going ''somewhere,'' [I had NO idea where, really] but the process of finding this out was fun.
---He would write Songs, borrow someone's guitar [and pick] and we would play them, along with many Beatles and Oldies. This was way before the BDS began. This was when ''I'' was supposed to be studying. College didn't really appeal to either of us at the time, but, anyway, I received a scholarship from the Rehabilitation Commision. [Not for being particularly smart, it was just this hand thing]. I wasn't mature enough to really benefit from the situation, but as I said it was much more about having fun, than anything else. As I think of it, most people have much the same experience of college. I think that eventually, I would have actually enjoyed the opportunities college offered.
---I'm going to close for the evening soon, but I owe Bobby a debt of gratitude because he was one of the only people that didn't put on some kind of gloves [patronize] with me. He treated me as almost an equal [he had his stuff, also], and that's pretty good.
---This is another day, and it went fairly well. I'm still in the Hospital [it is actually a Nursing Home]. I realize that it is difficult writing about BD, and not attempt to try to make him laugh at the same time. Much of what I have written is for him as the audience.

--I will butt-in right here. I have since learned how to add the BDS Vids to my blog. If you care to watch, just click on the picture. Go to YouTube check-out his others. Favorites.]
---I have a new DSL Line, so I am able to play the video's on bobbydarling.com. If you haven't done that yet, I'll wait until the two or three that have read my Blog - do. And I can wait all night with the proper sleep, etc. Do yourselves a favor and watch the ''Guitar Solo,'' if nothing else. It ''Blew my Mind'' and ''Knocked my Socks off'' [but not necessarily in that order] to find this website. With the monitor on ''full screen,'' it is like seeing Bobby through a camera lens and hearing him through a pair of cheap speakers. Otherwise, it is like being there. To give it the true test, a few beers would have to be added in.
---I am very proud of his ability to make people laugh. He is truly an original - except for all the material he ''borrowed.'' I always thought that one of our skills was to take someone elses idea, and make it look like our own. I used to consider this a form of stealing, but we did change things enough to be a form of building ''on.'' It is extemely difficult to have a unique thought, that does not have someone elses earmarks, anyway, really. It certainly can interrupt the ''flow'' to be OVERLY concerned with this. I think I'm digressing, again. We did our part for a certain evolution, nonetheless.
---When one thinks about it, this whole ''digressing'' thing is probably why I stopped playing in the BDS, in the first place. I DIGRESSED, for a time.

Bobby D. and Myself, Overdubbing w/Equalizer In Studio.

http://www.mediafire.com/?9ymjwwnqroe

I Think Alone -

2006-11-12T15:29:00.000-08:00

I Think Alone -

http://bobbydarling.com/Audio/I_Think_Alone.mp3

---I think that most of us would prefer to be by ourself, at those times.

SOMETHING POSITIVE BDS - style

2006-11-10T16:22:00.000-08:00

SOMETHING POSITIVE ''BDS'' - style

---I was reading over bobbydarling.com, and I came up with a familiar scene. It was in the Bookings section, under the client letters. They were the ''response'' that people have, after a night spent with the BDS.
---When I say, ''A goodtime was had by all,'' there is very little exageration. Very few did not have a memorable evening. Even if it takes a bit of time to ''let your hair down,'' eventually you do. Unless you're having a major bad day to begin with, you find something in the show that gets your attention.
---For example, I will use the ''American Standard'' Band in MA. They went on to do a world-tour with Joe Cocker, who saw them play in a small-club and was more than impressed. As a matter of fact, I saw them on a PBS show in the 1980's, when I had moved to CA.
---Anyway, American Standard and girlfriends used to reserve the front section, to watch us perform. They couldn't get over how ''unpretentious'' we were, even when we were ''pretentious,'' or at least trying to be. ''You guys are about having fun - We can't believe we're staying for the last set.'' They would all say separately and in secret, ''I wish some of our guys were like that.''
---We would play for 100 or 2 or so, but it seems they now play at some larger venues. The letters have intensified. The response is better than ever.
---A review of the BDS was in a newspaper from a local area
college, in the 70's. ''Two guys, I thought were audience members, all-of-a-sudden went on stage and started playing. They immediately involved the rest of us.''
--- A man from CT, used to call perodically and bring a small ''army'' with him. He couldn't get over how many times we would ''paint ourselves into a corner,'' and get out of it, in the course of an evening.
---This was at the beginning of the BDS which was NOT very polished. Many times we were flying on ''survival,'' and did seemingly pull it off. As the BDS evolved we knew what worked and what didn't. We would both be ''fine-tuning'' our stage personna on stage. I don't think that the audience was aware or even cared that this was going on. Nobody ever talked of feeling cheated. We would use everything, to make it all work.
--- We would do Beatles, Oldies and characters. Much TV trivia. That was mostly my thing - but it didn't take Bobby long to be part of it. We would give away ''free'' drinks [at least, free to us.] We were probably very sexist, but so innocent about it all, that no one seemed to be offended. As we grew, the BDS grew, also. There was some sort of sophistication, to appear so unsophisticated, and not be offensive. We were NOT making any lame ‘’political’’ statement, other than – ‘’Here we ALL are, let’s have a good time.’’ To me, that is ‘’much deeper.’’

.
[Another Reminiscence. Bobby Still Finds Time To ''KID'' Purple Dinosaurs, or, maybe...Paul McCartney]

http://bobbydarling.com/Audio/Barney_Must_Die.mp3

GREAT BIG WORLD

2006-06-17T22:31:00.000-07:00

''GREAT BIG WORLD''

http://bobbydarling.com/Audio/Great_Big_World.mp3

---Well, I e-mailed BOBBY DARLING. As a ''gift,'' he sent the CD, GREAT BIG WORLD. This seems to be his first effort. I must admit, I am very impressed. There is a taste on his website [BOBBYDARLING.COM.] If you don't own this, you should. I'm SURE the others are just as good - I wouldn't know as I DON'T OWN EITHER OF THEM. MAYBE SOMEDAY.
---This CD is well put together. One SONG follows another. You may find yourself thinking,''Well, of course they do.'' I will tell you this, ''NO one has ever, in the history of this ''Great Big World,'' put these songs together, BEFORE - AND I MEAN THAT.'' BOBBY is ''Unique'' and his talent is, also, and We ALL Know That, ''Two Uniques - Don't Make A Wrong.''
---I remember telling my neuropsychologist friend, how I remember Bobby playing Lead Guitar, Turning dials on the mixer, Controlling the lights with his foot and Singing whichever harmony Dinsdale or myself weren't singing. And at the end of the night, we would split the money, EQUALLY. Who says there is no Santa? NOT ME, SANTA. I must have deserved twice as much JUST WATCHING HIM. This is NO LIE. I have a neuropsychologist. Stroke. Oh, Yeah. This is true about Bobby, too.
---Not only is the title track included, but Bobby speaks of the time he fell in ''LOVE'' with a CLONE in, ''Second-Hand Genes.'' We are privy to the ''Rules of Love.'' He reads Bibles off the Internet - Called CYBLES. We learn that if Bobby had access to a ''Time - Machine,'' he would set it for 6:15 AM, that morning, just so he could then SLEEP until 9.
---The eerie FACT that he knows how ''we feel'' because he has been ''in our place,'' with what must be his ''kids'' or ''Children Of The CORN.'' We hear of his heroes, Bucky and John. It was my Buckminster Fuller article that spurred that. I didn't read it until the late 1990's, when I re-bought the magazine. It was in Playboy [for the articles]. His need for a rhyme to Tolstoys ''Anna Karenina,'' to justify an attraction for a girl named ''Marina,'' and many, many more.
---I really did enjoy the CD. It is nice to hear Bobby with ''real'' musicians behind him. We, the two of us, couldn't and didn't give his musical talents the showcase they deserved and now have. But, that is the beauty of the BDS, it was FUN THEN and, I'm sure, FUN NOW. In this ''GREAT BIG WORLD,'' isn't it FUN to have FUN? Be Well.

http://bobbydarling.com/Audio/she.mp3

Bohemian Rhapsody POLKA -

2006-05-21T21:51:00.000-07:00

---Bobby Darling Way,

as Polka.

While You Decide Which Link To Choose, Here's ''Bohemian Rhapsody,'' Done The Bobby Darling Way - As A Polka.

http://bobbydarling.com/Audio/Bohemian_Rhapsody_Polka.mp3

BOOKs I HAVE READ, etc.

2006-03-10T14:54:00.000-08:00

CONSIDER THIS...
BOOKS I HAVE READ, etc..

Books that I have read and Authors that have meant much to me are as follows: [Click on ''View My Complete Profile'' for my other websites] Google any of the names below to find more. YouTube most of names and see video.

---BOBBY DARLING -http://bobbydarling.com/Audio/I_Think_Alone.mp3

.
---GEORGE MALONEY S.J. Fordham University in the 1970's last I knew. I read several of his writings but only seem to remember ''Inward Stillness.'' Why he was so important is because-I attended a three day Retreat he gave in Massachusetts. It was at the same time I was ''talking'' to the Jesuits about joining them. I spent three years in this process but had a ''breakdown'' during this time. [More on this at another time].

---Why Fr. Maloney Was SO important To Me---

---It was the appeal of what he was doing, had to me. Writing Books and giving Retreats, which was seemingly the perfect venue for him to do his thing. I could see myself in much the same role. This made a lot of sense to me.

---THOMAS MERTON --A Catholic Monk. Interesting for a time. Titles include- ''Zen and the Birds of Appetite,'' ''Seeds of Contemplation'' ''New Seeds of Contemplation,'' ''The Seven Story Mountain,'' etc. It was affiming to have someone Catholic and of some stature writing and understanding such things.

---ELIZABETH HAICH - Sexual Energy and Yoga. This a great book about the Kundalini and the energy or 'orgasm' up the spine. [Tantric]

---J. PATRICK FLANAGAN - Pyramid Power. I saw him on the 'TOMORROW SHOW' in the 1970's and also live at an Expo. He was the first I had heard speak of the sublimating of the ''Sexual Energy'' up the spine. It came less than two weeks after, with some apprehension, I had ''learned'' this to be possible. It was a very confirming moment. It gave me impetus to continue. Sidelight--Watched many TOMORROW SHOWs [Tom Snyder] with Bobby Darling, Just reminiscing.

---RAM DASS - Books and Tapes. He is a smart man and was part of the LSD crowd. I also had the joy and pleasure of seeing him on three different occassions. I find his books as entertaining as I found him. I recently saw Ram Dass' movie about his ''NOW'' situation, since his ''stroke.'' It was different seeing him this way as we both had Life-changing ''strokes.'' I will reserve comment at this moment, but the differences between the two of us is more apparent now.

---ALAN WATTS - His Autobiography is called, ''In My Own Way.'' I think the doubleness the title implies is brilliant and have quoted it often. If we would learn to get out of our ''Own Way,'' it would resolve many of the things that concern us. Sidelight - Bobby D.. was an avid fan.

---L. RON HUBBARD - His Dianetic and Scientology books. His Viewpoint of Life has certainly got a bad ''rep'' and ''rap.'' I think it must be by those who don't ''get'' it. I have read about 25 of his writings. They are expensive to buy, but I enjoyed them.

---A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI PRABUPADA [I am not sure of the spelling]. I was introduced to him in a strange way. I was driving a friend to the A and P foodstore in Massachusetts, when a girl, normally dressed [I say this only because his Writings are followed by the Hari Krishna people who, for the most part, have a unique, identifiable ''look.''] She came up to us and handed me, ''The Nectar of Devotion,'' one of his books, and said, ''You're the One'' and then ran away. Neither of us, at the time, even understood what any of this meant, but had a few laughs using the catchphrase [''You're the One''] on many appropriate and inappropriate occasions, though I can't think of any appropriate occasions.

--- JOHN C. LILLY - ''The Center of the Cyclone.'' I very much like this title. He also has written a book called, ''Simulations of God'' and has done much work with Dolphins until he had a revelation concerning this.

---WAYNE DYER, Phd.- I have enjoyed seeing his developement over the years and his a''talks'' on PBS.

---FRANCKLYN JONES, aka BUBBA FREE JOHN, aka HEART MASTER DA LOVE ANANDA and others. I think he changes his ''handle'' with each new developement or whim. His books are wonderful.

---BHAGHWAN SHREE RAJNEESH - Very prolific. Some of the titles I remember are- ''The Mustard Seed,'' ''The Psychology of the Esoteric,'' three volumes of ''The Books of the Secrets.'' He has written others.

---ALEXANDER LOWEN, M.D. - A student of Wilhelm Reich, known for ''orgone,'' did much of his work in the field of Bioenergetics. His books have very mind provoking titles, ''Depression and the Body,'' ''Betrayal of the Body,'' ''Pleasure,'' ''The Fear of Life,'' etc. There are others, also, that concern 'Love the Heart and Orgasm'. Need I say, he does much ''body work.''

---I like the idea of Chiropractic, also. Realignment according to ''Plan.'' ''Rolfing'' has a good sound to it. Releasing memory from under the skin. In fact any way of releasing the ''baggage'' we accumulate, I feel is helpful, provided one can ''deal'' with what comes up. Bobby D. went to a ROLFER, for a time. Acupuncture is also a release, returning One to his own Natural Flow. I feel that the Natural or the Nature of things, is very Harmonious. The EGO gets in the way of ALL this, and impinges on the Natural Circuitry of things. When the EGO is not present, or better yet, Transformed, ALL is Health. EGO- Edging God Out.

FORMER BDS BANDMEMBER COMMENT

2005-11-25T13:00:00.000-08:00