Bobby Vinton
Bobby Vinton
Stanley Robert "Bobby" Vinton, Jr.is an American singer and songwriter. In pop music circles, he became known as "The Polish Prince of Poch", as his music pays tribute to his Polish heritage. Known for his angelic vocals in love songs, his most popular song, "Blue Velvet", peaked at number 1 on the now renamed Billboard Pop Singles Chart. It also served as inspiration for the film of the same name...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionPop Singer
Date of Birth16 April 1935
CityCanonsburg, PA
CountryUnited States of America
When I owned the theater, I had the Glen Miller Orchestra. I had 20 girls singing and dancing. I had a cast of characters. It was a big group production, as well as ushers, ticket takers.
I would sell 2 million records, a million went to teenagers and a million went to the adults. So, when The Beatles became so popular, I lost a million to the teenagers, but I was still selling a million to the adults.
I had a big troupe, a big army and it was a lot of fun. And, after 10 years of that, I just decided that I wanted to travel and do special dates. I go to Las Vegas these days.
I wrote 'Mr. Lonely'. I wrote that song while I was in the army. Still today I think it relates to a lot of G.I.s. It'll be around for a long time.
I wrote that song 'Melody Of Love', the one with the Polish lyrics, because over the years I had gone to Italy, Germany, South America.
I was able to stay on because in those days I was selling songs like 'Blue Velvet' and 'There I Said It Again'. But they were kind of adult hits.
Everybody goes through a stage where you have it. And, all of a sudden, you don't have it anymore. You get older and the audience gets younger.
Most of those takes were one take. I made those records in three minutes. I didn't have time to get nervous or scared the first time I sang it. It was all 'live' and I enjoyed it so much.
Times were changing. Clothes were changing. Morals were changing. We went from romantic loves songs like I used to do to rock 'n roll. Now that has changed to rap. So, there's always a new generation with new music.
I had been on tour with people like Roy Orbison. I knew Bobby Darin, Sam Cooke. So many great performers.
I was smart, to tell you the truth. I'm not really bright, but I'm not stupid.
Hey, we've all been to high school We've seen the in-crowds. Most of us have been in the outer crowds, the people who weren't in. Although I was never in, I was selling records and was very happy.
I did have a big following in the upper New York area. I was at the New York State Fair a few times over the years. I have areas that I say are my areas.
I must tell you, to get started today must be very difficult 'cause whatever it takes today is very tough. They have to invest a million dollars in a video just to see if you have a hit record.