Bobby Bloom

Robert Bloom (January 15, 1946[1] – February 28, 1974) was an American[1] singer-songwriter. He is known best for the upbeat 1970 hit, "Montego Bay", which was co-written with and produced by Jeff Barry.

Bobby Bloom
Bloom in 1970
Born
Robert Bloom

January 15, 1946 (1946-01-15)
DiedFebruary 28, 1974 (1974-03-01) (aged 28)
Musical career
GenresPop, calypso, rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years activeEarly 1960s–1974
LabelsPolydor
Buddah
Kama Sutra
L&R

Biography

Bloom was born in Brooklyn, NY. In the early 1960s, while still in his teens, Bloom had been a member of the doo-wop group, The Imaginations.[2][3] He received a big break in 1969 when he was awarded a contract to write and record a jingle for Pepsi, paving the way for his later success with "Montego Bay". He also played a role as a songwriter for the Kama Sutra/Buddah group of labels,[4] co-writing "Mony Mony" for Tommy James and the Shondells and, with Jeff Barry, "Sunshine" for The Archies.[4] Bloom co-wrote songs with Jeff Barry and Neil Goldberg for the Monkees' album Changes and their 1971 single "Do It in the Name of Love". He often recorded demos of his songs at the recording studio of MAP City Records, owned by friends Peter Anders and Vincent "Vini" Poncia Jr., with chief engineer Peter H. Rosen[5] at the controls. Early solo projects included "Love Don't Let Me Down" and "Count on Me".[4]

The recordings that followed his success with "Montego Bay" in 1970, "Heavy Makes You Happy", which became a hit for the Staple Singers in 1971, "Where Are We Going" and The Bobby Bloom Album all used the same combination of pop, calypso, and rock.[4]

Death

Having suffered from depression toward the end of his life, Bloom died on February 28, 1974, in an accidental shooting at his home in Hollywood, at the age of 28.[4]

Bloom had accidentally shot himself while cleaning his gun. The surviving members of Bloom's family did not believe Bloom would have shot himself, and the investigation never followed up on leads.[6] Jeff Barry learned later he was the sole beneficiary of Bloom's life insurance policy. In a 1995 interview, Jeff Barry states that Bobby Bloom was shot by another guy in a fight over a girl. He states that Bloom burst into a room after kicking down a door and was then shot. The case was never followed up.[7]

Discography

Albums

  • 1970 The Bobby Bloom Album (L&R Records) US#126
  • 1971 Where Are We Going (Buddah)[8]

Singles

Year Title Label Charts
1965 "I Still Remember" Kapp [9]
1967 "Love, Don't Let Me Down" Kama Sutra
"Count On Me"
1968 "All I Wanna Do is Dance" White Whale
1969 " Jill" Buddah
"Turn On"
"Sign of the V" Earth
1970 "Montego Bay" L&R US No. 8
UK No. 3
AUS No. 9
"Make Me Happy" MGM US No. 80
1971 "Where Are We Going" Roulette US No. 84
"Heavy Makes You Happy" MGM UK No. 31
"We're All Goin' Home" US No. 93
"We Need Each Other"
"(It's) Emergency" Map City
1972 "I Really Got It Bad for You" MGM
"Sha La Boom Boom"
1973 "Island" [10][11][12][1]

See also

References

  1. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 64. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. Whitburn, Joel (2003). Top Pop Singles 1955–2002 (1st ed.). Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc. p. 66. ISBN 0-89820-155-1.
  3. Encyclopedia of Pop Music Aliases, 1950-2000, By Bob Leszczak - Page 33 BOBBY BLOOM
  4. Proefrock, Stacia. "Bobby Bloom: Artist Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 9, 2015.
  5. "The History of Creativity Cafe and V.A.R.I.O.U.S." Creativity.net. Retrieved August 9, 2017.
  6. Jeremy Simmonds (2008). The Encyclopedia of Dead Rock Stars: Heroin, Handguns, and Ham Sandwiches. Chicago Review Press. ISBN 978-1556527548. Retrieved January 30, 2011.
  7. "Bobby bloom | Bubblegum University". Archived from the original on May 22, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2008.
  8. DiscogsBobby Bloom, Discography, Albums
  9. Global Dog Productions – 45 Discography for Kapp Records
  10. Global Dog Productions – 45 Discography for M-G-M Records – 14000 series
  11. 45Cat – Bobby Bloom – Discography, USA
  12. Discogs – Bobby Bloom, Releases, Singles & EPs
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