Bobby Vinton facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bobby Vinton
Vinton in 1964
Background information
Birth name	Stanley Robert Vinton
Born	(1935-04-16) April 16, 1935 (age 90) Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Genres	Pop, lounge
Occupation(s)	Singer actor
Years active	1958–2015
Labels	Bobby Records Alpine records Epic ABC Ahed Tapestry Curb

Stanley Robert Vinton (born April 16, 1935) is an American singer and actor. He was very popular in the 1960s and 1970s. People called him "The Polish Prince" because of his Polish family background. He even sang some songs in Polish.

Bobby Vinton had many hit songs. One of his most famous is "Blue Velvet". This song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1963. He also had his own TV show in the late 1970s.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Bobby Vinton was born in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. He was the only child of Stan Vinton and Dorothy Studzinski Vinton. His father was a popular bandleader in their town. Bobby's family encouraged his love for music. They gave him money for practicing the clarinet every day.

When Bobby was 16, he started his first band. They played music in clubs around Pittsburgh. He used the money he earned to pay for college. He went to Duquesne University and studied musical composition. There, he learned to play many instruments. These included the piano, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, drums, and oboe.

At first, people sometimes confused Bobby's band with his father's band. Both were named Stanley. So, Bobby's father suggested he use his middle name, Robert, for his music career. This helped clear up the confusion.

Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, is also the hometown of another famous singer, Perry Como. The town honored Bobby Vinton by naming two streets after him. Bobby Vinton Boulevard and Bobby Vinton Drive were built in the late 1970s.

Music Career Highlights

Starting in the 1950s

Bobby Vinton was inspired to record his own music after watching the Elvis Presley movie Jailhouse Rock. In 1958, he started his own record company called Bobby Records. His first song release was "Twilight Time." He also sang on the other side of the record, which was his first vocal recording.

Later, in 1959, he recorded for the Melody label. His song "Harlem Nocturne" and "Always in My Heart" got attention in Pennsylvania. He became known for his style as a "young man with a big band." He then signed with Alpine Records and released more songs.

Success in the 1960s

Billboard advertisement for "Blue Velvet" in 1963

After serving in the United States Army, Bobby Vinton signed with Epic Records in 1960. He was first hired as a bandleader. He got this chance after his band appeared on a TV show called Guy Lombardo's TV Talent Scouts.

His first few songs were not big hits. Epic Records was thinking about dropping him. But Bobby found a song called "Roses Are Red (My Love)" that had been set aside. He believed in the song. He even promoted it himself by sending copies and red roses to local radio DJs.

"Roses Are Red (My Love)" became a huge hit in 1962. It stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for four weeks. This success made Epic Records keep Bobby Vinton. They changed his role from bandleader to solo singer.

One of Bobby Vinton's most famous songs is "Blue Velvet" from 1963. It was originally a hit for Tony Bennett in 1951. Bobby Vinton's version also reached number one on the music charts. Years later, in 1986, director David Lynch named his movie Blue Velvet after the song. In 1990, the song became popular again in the UK after being used in a commercial.

In 1964, Bobby Vinton had two more number one hits. These were "There! I've Said It Again" and "Mr. Lonely". "There! I've Said It Again" was the last song to be number one in the U.S. before The Beatles took over the charts. Even with the "British Invasion" of bands like The Beatles, Bobby Vinton continued to have many top hits. He had 16 songs in the top ten.

Vinton performing on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969

Bobby Vinton wrote "Mr. Lonely" when he was in the Army. He recorded it at the same time as "Roses Are Red (My Love)." Even though he wanted it released as a single, Epic Records waited. Two years later, it was included on his Greatest Hits album. DJs started playing it, and it quickly became a number one hit in 1964. The song has been used in movies and inspired other songs since then.

In the mid-1960s, Vinton continued his success with songs like "L-O-N-E-L-Y" and "Coming Home Soldier". "Coming Home Soldier" was very popular with soldiers during the Vietnam War. In 1967, his song "Please Love Me Forever" sold over a million copies. His 1968 hit "I Love How You Love Me" also sold over a million copies.

The 1970s and Beyond

Vinton in 1977

Bobby Vinton continued to have hits in the 1970s. These included "Ev'ry Day of My Life" and "Sealed With a Kiss". Even with these successes, Epic Records decided to end his contract. They thought his time of selling records was over.

But Bobby Vinton didn't give up. He spent his own money to record a new song called "My Melody of Love". Part of the song was sung in Polish, as suggested by his mother. Several record labels turned him down. Finally, ABC/Dunhill Records agreed to release it.

"My Melody of Love" became a huge success in 1974. It sold millions of copies and reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. This led to a gold album called Melodies of Love. Bobby Vinton also had a successful TV show called The Bobby Vinton Show from 1975 to 1978. "My Melody of Love" was the theme song for the show.

In 1978, Bobby Vinton wrote his autobiography. It was called The Polish Prince and became a bestseller.

Honors and Achievements

Vinton performing in 2004

In the early 1990s, Bobby Vinton started performing in Branson, Missouri. He was very popular there. He even built his own theater, the Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre. He performed there for ten successful years.

Billboard Magazine called Bobby Vinton "the all-time most successful love singer of the 'Rock-Era'". From 1962 to 1972, he had more number one hits than any other male singer. This included famous artists like Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

To honor his music career, Bobby Vinton received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. It is located at 6916 Hollywood Boulevard. His college, Duquesne University, also gave him an honorary doctorate in music in 1978.

Acting Roles

Besides singing, Bobby Vinton also acted in several movies and TV shows. His first acting role was in the movie Surf Party in 1964. He also appeared in the John Wayne films Big Jake (1971) and The Train Robbers (1973). He also had guest roles on TV shows like The Patty Duke Show and Coach.

Personal Life

Bobby Vinton and his wife, Dolores, have been married since December 17, 1962. They live in Englewood, Florida, and have five children. In 2015, Bobby Vinton retired from performing live and recording music.

Discography

Filmography

Images for kids

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  Vinton in 1964

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  Billboard advertisement, September 14 1963

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  Vinton performing on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1969

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  Vinton in 1977

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  Vinton performing in 2004

See also

In Spanish: Bobby Vinton para niños