Bobby Day

Robert James Byrd (July 1, 1928 – July 27, 1990), known by the stage name Bobby Day, was an American singer, multi-instrumentalist, music producer, and songwriter. He is best known for his hit record "Rockin' Robin", written by Leon René under the pseudonym Jimmie Thomas. Day also wrote the top-10 Billboard hits "Little Bitty Pretty One" and "Over and Over".

Biography Born in Fort Worth, Texas, United States, Day moved to Los Angeles, California, at age 15.

Day's best known songwriting efforts were "Over and Over", later made popular by the Dave Clark Five in 1965, and "Little Bitty Pretty One", popularized by Thurston Harris in 1957, Frankie Lymon in 1960, Clyde McPhatter in 1962, and the Jackson Five in 1972. However, Day is most remembered for his 1958 solo recording of the Hot 100 No. 2 hit, "Rockin' Robin", The song was covered by Bob Luman at Town Hall Party on October 28, 1958, the Hollies in 1964, Gene Vincent in 1969, Michael Jackson in 1972, Lolly in 1999, and by McFly in 2006.

In 2012–13, Day's uncharted recording, "Beep-Beep-Beep", was the musical soundtrack for a Kia Sorento television commercial shown nationwide in the US.

Day died of prostate cancer on July 27, 1990, at age 62, and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.

Discography Albums Rockin' with Robin (1959) The Best of Bobby Day (1984) The Original Rockin' Robin (1987) The Great Bobby Day (1994) Rockin' Robin (1994) The Best of Bobby Day (2001) The Very Best Of (2016) Robins, Bluebirds, Buzzards & Orioles - The Bobby Day Story (2021)

Singles Year Title Credited as Chart positions Release dateUSUS R&B1950"Young Girl" / "Please Tell Me Now"The Flames 1952 "Wheel of Fortune" / "Later" The Four Flames 1957 "Buzz-Buzz-Buzz" The Hollywood Flames 11 5 October 1957 1957"Little Bitty Pretty One" Bobby Day and the Satellites 57 — August 1957 1958"Rockin' Robin" Bobby Day 2 1 June 27, 1958"Over and Over" Bobby Day 41 1 June 27, 1958"The Bluebird, the Buzzard, and the Oriole" Bobby Day 54 — November 26, 1958 1959"That's All I Want" Bobby Day 98 — February 1959"Gotta a New Girl" Bobby Day 82 — May 1959 1960"Gee Whiz" Bob and Earl 103 —

Television appearances The Dick Clark Show (two episodes) (1958) American Bandstand (four episodes) (1958) The Cinnamon Cinder Show (1963) The Midnight Special (1973)