A good and perfectly talented musical performer is one whose every song is a winner. Bobby Darin is that singer. If there was a nomination for the best singer of the 60s, he would be my nominee. Yes, Ricky Nelson was good, Elvis would probably get the win in the poll, Jerry Lee Lewis would be in the top 4 or 5, but I'll stick with Bobby. A favorite performer is one whose every song is moving, catchy, memorable, pleasant, inspirational and just plain enjoyable, one that a listener never tires hearing.
Bobby had variety of style. "Mac the Knife" had that catchy beat characteristic. "Splish Splash" is probably my least favorite of his repertoire, but it has funny word strings, like "rub dub I was sitting in the tub, doing everything that's allright". "Dream Lover" is one of my favorites. It reminds me of a high school girlfriend, popular when I was going with her, and it made me think of her every time I heard it. It still brings back memories of her when I hear it, not that I miss her. I was with a bunch of guys about 15 years ago in a car driving to our favorite pub, playing one of my tapes. When Dream Lover came on, everyone knew the words and had great fun singing along with it. That's a stronger memory of the song than the one about the old girlfriend. It proves a point: Bobby Darin sang memorable songs. Another dreamy type song is "Beyond the Sea." It shows the richness of his voice.
Not only could he sing, but he could do a powerful dramatic performance, based on his role as a mentally-damaged WWII bomber gunner in the Gregory Peck movie, "Captain Newman, MD". It was a strong character performance.
Darin had good taste in women, too. He married the very cute and popular blond actress, Sandra Dee. It seemed like a perfect couple.
I don't recall when Bobby died, but I remember the shock of losing him so early in his life. His early departure from life seems to have happened to some of the other best musicians and singers: George Gershwin, Mama Cass, Buddy Holly, Karen Carpenter, Sam Cooke and Ricky Nelson. When people we enjoy, who bring us all sorts of happiness and pleasure die too early, it's multiple sadness. When I hear their music, the thought always comes to my mind, "It's really too bad they died so young. We have missed some good music they would have done."
I have a CD of Bobby containing 24 of his singing performances. They were made live at a concert, so some are not as good as the recorded originals, but it's a good collection, still. The title fits perfectly: "The Legendary Bobby Darin." Legendary, indeed!