Bobby Lewis

Bobby Lewis. February 17, 1933 - April 28, 2020. Indianapolis, Indiana, USA. R&B & rock & roll singer who had one of the biggest songs of the 60's. In July 1961, his recording of "Tossin' and Turnin'" went to No.1 for seven weeks on the Billboard chart. Later that year, he had a second Top Ten song, "One Track Mind”.

Biography

Lewis was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and learned to play the piano by age six, despite very poor eyesight. Adopted at age twelve, he moved to a home in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up with the influences of the pioneer blues musicians until the advent of rock and roll, Lewis began to build a musical career in the 1950s. He moved to New York City. In July 1961, his recording of "Tossin' and Turnin'" went to No.1 for seven weeks on the Billboard chart. It sold over one million copies and was awarded a gold disc. Later that year, he had a second Top Ten song, "One Track Mind", his only other major hit record, at No. 9. "Tossin' And Turnin'", composed by Ritchie Adams and Malou Rene, was featured on the soundtrack for the 1978 film Animal House. The song was also covered by Steve Goodman, the Replacements, the Guess Who, Peter Criss, and Jimmy Sturr, among others. (The Ivy League's UK hit "Tossin' And Turnin", however, is a completely different song.)