Bobby Bloom

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

Bobby Bloom
Bobby Bloom in 1970
Background information
Birth nameRobert Bloom
BornJanuary 15, 1946 (1946-01-15)
Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
DiedFebruary 28, 1974 (1974-03-01) (aged 28)
Hollywood, California, U.S.
GenresPop, calypso, rock
Occupation(s)Musician, singer-songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years activeEarly 1960s–1974
LabelsPolydor
Buddah
Kama Sutra
L&R

Biography

Bloom was born in Brooklyn, New York City. 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 towards 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.[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 #8
UK #3
"Make Me Happy" MGM
1971 "Where Are We Going" Roulette US #84
"Heavy Makes You Happy" MGM UK #31
"We're All Goin' Home"
"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 9 August 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. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2008-05-22. Retrieved 2008-07-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  8. Discogs - Bobby 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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