FEATURE SONG: SUSIE DARLIN' by ROBIN LUKE

Robin Luke’s big 1958 hit, Susie Darlin’ has always been a fave of mine. Back in the late 50s I kept my 45 of it in my handy (but heavy - everything back then was made of metal) carrying case, designed especially to hold 45rpm records. At 12 years of age, I used to practice my rudimentary cha-cha/calypso moves to this song, up in my bedroom. I still have a 45 of it today, but not my original copy.

Although Robin did record a bunch of other songs, Susie Darlin’ is basically an OHW (one hit wonder). But it’s a very durable hit, and it still gets played regularly on the “better” oldies stations, the ones who still play the early stuff. I heard Susie Darlin’ not long ago, and went straight to YouTube, where I found this. There’s the opening shot of the record, a few opening bars of the song, and…ho-lee!…there he was, young Robin Luke! I had never seen what he looked like (he’s cute). Neither my original 45 nor the replacement came with a picture sleeve. Never caught him on TV either, not on Bandstand or Perry Como, either. What a terrific time-travel moment to see the photo on YouTube. I said to myself: “Whatever happened to Robin Luke?” Over to the Internet. There I found an article titled, “Whatever happened to Robin Luke.” Just the ticket! The article is well worth the read, if you’re so inclined http://www.rockabillyhall.com/RobinLuke1.html but the gist of it is that Robin wrote this song, using the name of his little sister (rather than create trouble for himself with the girls he knew), recorded it on a shoestring with lo-tech sound equipment, and some seat-of-their-pants instrumentation (guitar, ukulele, drumming on an LP cover with ball point pens!) in his bedroom at home (Hawaii).

Once recorded, Susie Darlin’ got local airplay, which led to it being heard by a honeymooning record distributor from Cleveland. Robin ended up meeting his idol, Buddy Holly, and hanging out with Jan and Dean. Ya gotta love it! Anyway, rather than pursue a music career, Robin used the money from Susie Darlin’ to put himself through school, and has gone on to a distinguished career in academia. What it the best choice? Well, that would be pointless speculation, and it sounds like Luke has no regrets. And we have Susie Darlin.’ I think everybody’s happy.

Susie Darlin' - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdgR-XX9gfE

Let me see you cha-cha-cha!

IT'S FEB 3 - IN GLENDALE & LUBBOCK

February is a big month. Not really big like the other months, with their 30 and 31 days. No sir, even in a leap year like this one, all February can muster is a measly 29. But February is big because is has so many important holidays and days of special commemoration. Take today. On this day we mark two very notable, if unlikely paired, events: Superbowl XLII in Glendale Arizona, and another anniversary of The Day The Music Died, which of course is the day back in 1959 when we lost Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and The Big Bopper. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the fateful plane trip, and will likely see an expanded memorial around the world, but for today, I'll just post a few links to YouTube so we can all pause and remember why we loved their music.

The photo of Buddy's statue in his hometown, Lubbock, Texas, is used by permission of Ben O'Connor. Here's a link to Ben's website for other interesting musical stuff.
http://www.benoconnor.com/musicphotos4.cfm

Buddy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PYXZEkAC4E
Ricthie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mKHkz6A3Fk
Big Bopper http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=awTsQra0u3Q

And, what would the Superbowl be without those great commercials? Just another boring football game. Oh sit down, I'm just kidding!! I love football. But I had ya goin' there for a sec didn't I? Here's one of my fave ads from yesteryear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk7yqlTMvp8