{"id":869,"date":"2016-11-14T22:31:10","date_gmt":"2016-11-14T22:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/?p=869"},"modified":"2016-12-14T00:51:47","modified_gmt":"2016-12-14T00:51:47","slug":"bobby-vee-1943-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/bobby-vee-1943-2016\/","title":{"rendered":"Bobby Vee: 1943 – 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

Bobby Vee: 1943 -2016<\/u><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

“BUZZ Newspaper Article” (#68-bV)\u00a0Nov- Dec 2016 <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

By: RLSchwinden aka: MrZerr0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Recently I was contacted by KARE 11 NBC<\/em><\/strong> Evening News, about the death of Early 60s Teen Idol<\/em> Bobby Vee<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, as he lived near St. Cloud<\/u><\/em><\/strong>. Before I go into a brief history of Bobby Vee<\/em><\/strong>, here are some things I pointed out the Reporter who interviewed me. Since “Rock And Roll”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> has been around for over 6 Decades<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, there are some historical facts most music fans are unaware of; for example from 1954 to 1964<\/u><\/em><\/strong> most musical artists recordings sold on 7″ Singles (45rpm),<\/u><\/em><\/strong> which retailed for about $0.99 cents (+ Tax)<\/em><\/strong> Bobby fell strait in line with this category. Then in ’64<\/u><\/em> The Beatles<\/u><\/em><\/strong> came to the USA & the 12″ LP\u00a0 (Long Player) or Album<\/u><\/em><\/strong> began to pick up more in sales, the “33 1\/3” retailed for about $3.98<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, Vinyl was the main format until about 1984<\/u><\/em><\/strong> when the (4 Track) Cassette <\/u><\/em><\/strong>took over the market, retailing for about $8.98<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, this was the dominant format until 1991<\/u><\/em><\/strong> when CD (Compact Disc)<\/u><\/em><\/strong> took over (the USA stopped 99% of all of its Vinyl production in Dec ’87)<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, then the 2nd wave of Vinyl<\/u><\/em><\/strong> began in 2008 <\/em>(which is why Mr. Zero’s opened in 2009)<\/em><\/strong> & the 180 Gram Vinyl<\/em><\/strong> LP pushed CD out of the predominant format. I pointed out to the News Reporter (Brian)<\/em> that Vee’s original Fans would be wanting to purchase Vee’s<\/u><\/em><\/strong> music on CD,<\/em><\/strong> as they have all the vinyl they need, but newer fans would be looking for his music on Vinyl,<\/em><\/strong> well, they are in luck because Bobby Vee is a “Vinyl Artist”<\/em>. You see some artists are simply not available on certain formats.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

On with our story…<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

>The Shadows: 1959 -1960<<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0\u00a0 Bobby Vee<\/u> (Robert Thomas Velline: 30 Apr 1943: Fargo, ND – 24 Oct 2016)<\/em><\/strong> released some 44 Singles from 1959 -1971<\/em>
\n& roughly 25 Albums from 1960 -1975<\/em> & over 15 CDs (re-releases)<\/em> in the 90s & 2000s<\/em> & over 26 TV Shows, Films & Documentary’s<\/em>. Vee<\/u><\/em><\/strong> was thrust into the spotlight as a fill-in for the “Winter Dace Party”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> after the plane crash that killed “Valens, Big Bopper & Holly”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Bobby & his brother Bill<\/u><\/em><\/strong> formed ‘The Shadows’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> to play the Tues 3 Feb 1959<\/u><\/em><\/strong> show at the Armory<\/em><\/strong> in Moorehead, MN<\/em><\/strong>. Vee’s 1st 45 Single was on SOMA Records<\/u><\/em><\/strong> (Trashmen, Castaways & Gestures)<\/em>\u00a0in 1959 “Suzie Baby b\/w Flyin High” (Soma #1110),<\/u><\/em><\/strong> which was the record label’s 1st big hit<\/em> as well, the record was popular enough locally that Vee was signed to the national Record Label Liberty <\/u><\/em><\/strong>in 1960 until 1970<\/em>. Vee’s 2nd 45 Single “Devil Or Angel b\/w Hey Doll Baby”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> hit #6<\/em><\/strong> on the Billboard Charts in Oct ’60<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, followed by his 1st LP\u00a0 ‘Sings Your Favorites’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> While on tour in 1960<\/u><\/em><\/strong> his guitar player was a young man named “Elston Gunn”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> from Duluth, MN.<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Who later moved to NYC & became: Bob Dylan<\/u><\/em><\/strong>. Vee made a whopping 8 appearances on the ABC<\/u><\/em><\/strong> TV Show \u201cAmerican Bandstand\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong> between Aug 1960 & Dec 1970<\/em>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

>International Teen Idol: 1961 -1963< <\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

In the early 60s the top of the charts were dominated with young Italian boys from New York City, Vee<\/u><\/em><\/strong> was one of the 1st to buck this trend. Starting in ’61<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Vee began releasing records at an alarming rate so I will only be able to cover his “Top 40 Hits”<\/em><\/strong> & Album releases; beginning with; “Rubber Ball b\/w Everyday”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> a #6 hit in Jan ’61<\/em><\/strong>, followed by “Stayin In b\/w More Than I Can Say”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in Mar ’61<\/em><\/strong> became a #33 hit<\/em><\/strong>. Then a song The Beatles<\/u><\/em><\/strong> recorded in 1962<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, “Take Good Care Of My Baby b\/w Bashful Bob”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0 Vee’s 1st #1 Hit<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in Sep ’61<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, followed by “Run To Him b\/w Walkin With My Angel”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> a #2 hit in Dec ’61<\/em>. Vee released 4 “Long Players”<\/em><\/strong> this year ‘Self Titled’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & then ‘With Strings & Things’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> followed by ‘Hits Of The Rockin 50s’ <\/u><\/em><\/strong>& ‘Golden Greats’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & appeared in his 1st film “Swingin Along”<\/u>.<\/em>\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

The next year proved to be as good as the last year for Vee<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, making 3 appearances on the TV Show \u201cJuke Box Jury\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong> stating in Mar \u201962<\/em><\/strong> to Nov<\/em>. His 11th 45 Single “Please Don’t Ask About Barbara b\/w I Can’t Say Goodbye”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> hits #15 in Apr ’62<\/em><\/strong>, followed by “Sharing You b\/w In My Baby’s Eyes”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in Jul ’62<\/em><\/strong> which goes to #15 & the follow up “Punish Her b\/w Someday (when I’m gone from you)”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> charting at #20 in Oct ’62.<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Vee<\/em><\/strong> releases 4 albums this year ‘Take Good Care Of My Baby’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & then \u2018Meets The Crickets’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Vee performed many different tours with the original “Crickets”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> followed by ‘Recording Session’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & then ‘Merry Christmas’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & his 2nd film “Play It Cool”<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0& Vee also appeared in 2 TV episodes of \u201cHere\u2019s Hollywood\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in \u201862 where he was interviewed in his own home, also Vee beginning in Feb \u201862 made 6 appearances on the TV Show \u201cThank Your Lucky Stars\u201d <\/u><\/em><\/strong>leading up to Mar \u201865.<\/p>\n

On a 3 year roll, Vee has “Charms b\/w Bobby Tomorrow”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> hit\u00a0#13 in May ’63,<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & following this is “Be True To Yourself b\/w Letter From Betty”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in Jul ’63<\/u><\/em><\/strong> which goes to #34, then his monster hit “Night Has A Thousand Eyes b\/w\u00a0Anonymous Phone Call”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> charts at #3 in Dec ’63<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, this same month Bobby marries his 1 & only wife Karen.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Vee releases 3 albums in ’63 starting with; ‘Night Has A Thousand Eyes’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> followed by \u2018Meets The Ventures’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & his tribute to the man who launched his career an entire album of Buddy Holly Covers on Liberty Records<\/em> ‘I Remember Buddy’<\/u><\/em><\/strong>. This year Vee performed almost 20 shows with Dick Clark’s “Caravan Of The Stars”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> (check out the Film “That Thing You Do”).<\/em><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

>Yankee Go Home: 1964 – 1968<<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Many remember “The Day The Music Died”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> (3 Feb ’59 Don McLean’s “American Pie”)<\/em> which help launch Bobby Vee’s career, however not many recognize that the same thing happened to American Music<\/em>, about 5 years to the day on 8 Feb ’64 The Beatles<\/u><\/em><\/strong> appeared on the “Ed Sullivan Show”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> because this ushered in the “British Invasion”<\/u> (Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, Yardbirds, Animals & Hermits, etc)<\/em><\/strong> & the American Music Scene was forever changed, many of the present artists (Bobby Darin, Dion, Roy Orbison, Lou Christie, Ricky Nelson, & even Elvis)<\/em>\u00a0 found themselves pushed to the wayside in the wake of the new British movement, unfortunately Vee <\/u><\/em><\/strong>was no exception. Vee did not have another “Top 40 Hit”<\/em> for the next 4 years, when Elvis<\/u><\/em><\/strong> broke the trend in his (Dec) ’68 Comeback Special<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, (Vee did have 19 other songs in the Top 100 up to Dec ’68),<\/em> Vee did release 2 LPs in ’64; ‘Sings New Sounds From England’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & ’30 Big Hits Of The 60s’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & the following year he released ‘Live On Tour’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> after performing some 33 Shows in 1965 with “Dick Clark’s Caravan Of The Stars”.<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Vee seemed to be as active on television as he was in music; making 3 appearances on \u201cHollywood A Go Go\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong> starting in Jan \u201965<\/u><\/em><\/strong> to Jul the same year. Bobby made 6 appearances on the ABC TV Show<\/em> \u201cWhere The Action Is\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong> from Oct 1965 to Sep 1966 \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

>Turn Down Day: 1966 – 1970<<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

From 1966 to 1967<\/em> Bobby released 4 LPs: ’30 Big Hits Off The 60s Vol 2′<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & ‘Look At Me Girl’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & ‘Golden Greats Vol.2’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> followed by ‘Come Back When You Grow Up’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in ’67 <\/em><\/strong>& also this same year starred in the film “C’mon Lets Live\u00a0A Little”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> as “Jesse Crawford”<\/em><\/strong>. Vee became a semi-regular the ABC talk-show \u201cJoey Bishop Show\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong> appearing on 4 broadcasts from Nov 1967 \u2013 Feb 1968<\/em>. Vee returned to the top of the charts in May \u201868<\/em><\/strong> with \u201cMy Girl-Hey Girl b\/w Just Keep It Up\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong>\u00a0a #35 hit, & released 2 LPs in \u201868; \u2018Just Today\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong>, In Summer 1993 I had Bobby autograph\u00a0my copy of \u201cJust Today\u201d LP\u00a0because Vee covered The MONKEES song \u201cGirl I Left Behind Me\u201d<\/em>, followed by the LP \u2018Do What You Gotta Do\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & the Non-LP Single \u201cLet\u2019s Call It\u00a0A Day Girl\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong>. Vee\u2019s last release in the 60s was, the 1969 LP \u2018Gates, Grills & Railings\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong> with 2 Non-LP Singles<\/em> in \u201870<\/u><\/em><\/strong> \u201cIn And Out Of Love\u201d & \u201cSweet Sweetheart\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong>. Vee was signed to United Artists<\/em><\/strong> in 1971 -75<\/em> his 1st<\/sup> single was \u201cSigns b\/w Something To Say\u201d<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & releasing 3 LPs \u2018Nothin Like A Sunny Day\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in \u201872 & in \u201873 \u2018Legendary Masters Series\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & finally \u2018Best Of\u2019<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in \u201875.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

>Never Be Anyone Else<<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

The 80s were not too kind to the “Old School” musicians<\/em>, Vee only had the ‘Singles Album’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> released in 1980<\/u><\/em><\/strong>. The 1st time I saw Vee was at the Iowa State Fair in Aug ’93<\/u><\/em><\/strong> on a\u00a0 Double Bill with Tommy Roe<\/u><\/em><\/strong> & Bobby\u2019s sons: “The Vees” Robby, Tom & Jeff<\/u><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 My memory is they performed 2 sets of 45 min each twice nightly (here is a partial set-list from the night)<\/em><\/p>\n

One Last Kiss
\nRubber Ball
\nCome Back When You Grow Up Girl
\nRun to Him
\nMore Than I Can Say (Crickets cover)
\nDevil or Angel
\nTake Good Care of My Baby
\nThe Night Has a Thousand Eyes
\nWalkin’ With My Angel
\n<\/em><\/strong>
\nAlmost 10 years after his last LP, Vee releases ‘Down The Line’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in 1999<\/em><\/strong>, & ‘Wouldn’t Change A Thing’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in 2002<\/em><\/strong>.
\nThe last time I saw Bobby was in Feb\u00a02005<\/em><\/strong> in Des Moines<\/em><\/strong> at the Surf Ballroom<\/u><\/em><\/strong> for the annual “KIOA Sweet Hearts Dance”<\/u><\/em><\/strong> Vee was on tour again with the Original Crickets: Alison, Mauldin & Curtis<\/u><\/em><\/strong>.\u00a0 The CD ‘Very Best’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> is released in 2008<\/em><\/strong> with ‘Rarites’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> coming out in 2011<\/em><\/strong> as Vee retired from touring due to Alzheimer’s<\/em> in 2012<\/em><\/strong>. Vee’s final release was ‘Adobe Sessions’<\/u><\/em><\/strong> in 2014<\/em><\/strong>. Bobby Vee dies in Rogers, MN. on Mon 24 Oct 2016 <\/em>from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.<\/p>\n

Truly a forgotten Hero, Vee had a tremendous musical career with an impressive catalog. I am honored I got the opportunity to meet him, be interviewed about him & write this article … MrZerr0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Mr. Zero’s *Est. 2009<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

1744 Lexington\u00a0 Ave. N.<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Roseville, MN. 55113
\n<\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Mr.<\/a>

Promo Photo 1960<\/p><\/div>\n

<\/u>www.MrZeroS.Com<\/a><\/u><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Bobby Vee: 1943 -2016 “BUZZ Newspaper Article” (#68-bV)\u00a0Nov- Dec 2016 By: RLSchwinden aka: MrZerr0 Recently I was contacted by KARE 11 NBC Evening News, about the death of Early 60s Teen Idol Bobby Vee, as he lived near St. Cloud.…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more ›<\/a><\/div>\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-articles"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=869"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":871,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/869\/revisions\/871"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.mrzeros.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}