| Bobby Sherman |
|
| Background information |
| Birth name |
Robert Cabot Sherman, Jr. |
| Born |
July 22, 1943 (1943-07-22) (age 66) |
| Origin |
Santa Monica, California |
| Years active |
1964–1975 |
| Associated acts |
David Cassidy |
Robert Cabot "Bobby" Sherman, Jr. (born July 22, 1943) is an American singer and actor, who became a popular teen idol in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Sherman was born in Santa Monica, California. He graduated in 1961 from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley and received his vocal training from Georgia Massey's School Of Song And Dance also located in the San Fernando Valley.
Career as performer
Sherman first became famous as a house singer on the ABC television series Shindig! from 1964 to 1966. For several years, he tried to record singles and break out into the music industry, but he did not have much luck until he earned a role as a bashful, stammering logger on the television series Here Come the Brides, also on ABC, with Joan Blondell as his principal co-star. He also appeared on an episode of The Monkees entitled "Monkees at the Movies", playing a pompous surfer named Frankie Catalina, performing the song "New Girl in School" (which was written by The Beach Boys' Brian Wilson).
In 1969, his first gold single, "Little Woman", became popular, peaking at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart (#2 in Canada) and spending nine weeks in the top 20, effectively cementing his status as a performer popular with teenage girls. His other hits were "Julie (Do Ya Love Me)" (US #5) (Canada #3) (Australia #3), "Easy Come, Easy Go" (US #9) (Canada #6), "Jennifer" (US #60) (Canada #32), "La La La" (US #9) (Canada #7), and "The Drum" (US #29) (Canada #7) (written by Alan O'Day). Some of these songs were produced by Jackie Mills, a Hollywood record producer, who also produced the Brady Bunch Kids. In Canada "Hey Mister Sun" reached #19, "Cried Like A Baby" reached #10, and "Waiting At The Bus Stop" reached #31.
In 1971, after a high-rated appearance on The Partridge Family, Sherman was given his own show on ABC, Getting Together. The show competed with CBS's All in the Family on Saturday nights and was canceled after just thirteen episodes. However, both the television series and the hit theme song of the same name landed a number of cover stories on such teenage magazines as Tiger Beat.
Beyond singing and acting
When Sherman guest-starred in several episodes of the Jack Webb series, Emergency!, he found a new calling. It was at this time that the performer focused more on his personal life, eventually leaving the public spotlight. He soon volunteered with the Los Angeles Police Department, and worked with paramedic, CPR, and first aid classes. He is also a San Bernardino County deputy sheriff. According to Sherman, "I've been bestowed a mountain of blessings. I felt a need to start giving back." The entertainer has been given several awards for his humanitarian efforts.
Sherman built a one-fifth scale model of Disneyland's Main Street, made entirely by hand in his yard at home.[1]
Personal life
Sherman was married to the former Patti Carnel from 1971-1979. The couple, since divorced, had two sons, Christopher and Tyler, born in the early 1970s. Christopher and Tyler are married and have children of their own.
Referenced in popular culture
Sherman is mentioned in The Simpsons episode "Brother from the Same Planet". Marge Simpsons remembers how she had a crush on him. In another episode, "Lisa the Tree Hugger", Homer compares Jesse's "non-threatening good looks" to Sherman.
Sherman is also mentioned in The Nanny episode "My Fair Nanny". While Fran is advising Maggie on how to increase her popularity in high school, Fran tells her to discuss 'the three universal topics: boys, clothes, and Bobby Sherman.' When Maggie asks who Sherman is, Fran tells her to use Marky Mark, even though he 'doesn't have half the talent of Bobby'.
References
External links
