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Bobby Darin music biography continued...

of open heart surgery. Born Walden Robert Cassotto (one source says Robert Walden), on May 14, 1936 in New York City, Darin grew up as a sick child in an impoverished home and held on to a dream of becoming famous from a young age. Accounts vary as to how he selected his stage name; one says he picked it from a phone book, another that he got it from a malfunctioning restaurant sign advertising Mandarin Chinese food, but was is known is that Darin started out, first as a demo writer then as a demo singer at the legendary Brill Building in New York City, along with future stars Connie Francis and Don Kirshner. In 1957, he recorded for Decca, but found fame at Atco Records in 1958, with his first hit records "Splish Splash" and "Dream Lover," both of which he composed. Late in 1958, Bobby Darin recorded the album That's All, an LP of standards which contained his signature song "Mack the Knife," It won the 1959 "Record of the Year" and Darin the "Best New Artist" Grammy. "Mack the Knife" was number one on the Billboard charts for nine weeks in 1959 and is one of the biggest selling records in history.



Darin appeared in Las Vegas with his close friend, George Burns in 1959, and began an exciting nightclub career. Managed by Steve Blauner, Darin, at the young age of 23, performed at many major night clubs in the country, such as The Flamingo, The Sands and The Hilton in Las Vegas; the Cloister in Los Angeles and the Copacabana in New York, where he built up a reputation as a magnetic and charismatic performer who thrilled thousands of fans. He continued this part of his career up until August of 1973, when he was unable to continue because of illness. Later on in life, he would also delve into country music and protest songs, bringing him even more fans. Though Darin's life was cut short on December 20, 1973, his legacy lives on. In 1990 Darin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, getting the recognition he so sorely wanted.