Tossin' and Turnin' Pt 2: Bobby Lewis, Deconstructed

(Image from last.fm)

Bobby Lewis released Tossin' and Turnin' in 1961, his first hit from his first recording. He was born in 1925, apparently, and started playing piano at age five.

He ran away from home at 14 and began working in the music industry early on, connecting with greats like Duke Ellington, and started performing at the Apollo Theater in 1960. Tossin' and Turnin' was selected by the songwriters for their good friend to perform as a favor, but nobody had a clue just how big of a favor it would be.

Since Bobby had one more hit with the song, "One Track Mind," he can't really be called a One Hit Wonder, but honestly, there's no way he would have ever topped the success of Tossin' and Turnin'. The circumstances were too perfect, which we'll examine on another day.

Bobby Lewis is completely blind now, but he still performs occasionally and grants interviews when asked. Seems like a top shelf guy to me. It's worth noting that he's the first African American since The Drifters to land a number one spot, and the first of the '60s.

See you next time for more inspection of the song!