Bobby Lewis

Robert Alan Lewis (February 9, 1925 – April 28, 2020) was an American rock and roll and rhythm and blues singer, best known for his 1961 hit singles "Tossin' and Turnin'" and "One Track Mind".

Biography Lewis was born in Indianapolis, Indiana and was raised in an orphanage. He learned to play the piano by age six, despite very poor eyesight. Adopted at age twelve, he moved to a foster 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, initially working in carnival shows, and then as a singer with the Leo Hines Orchestra in Indianapolis. He made his first recordings for the Spotlight label, and then recorded "Mumbles Blues" for Chess Records in 1952. At one stage he was managed by Nat Tarnopol, who also managed Jackie Wilson. Later in 1961, Lewis had a second Top Ten song, "One Track Mind", his only other major hit record (again on Beltone), charting at No. 9. Subsequent records were less successful. Beltone Records itself went out of business in 1963, and later recordings for ABC-Paramount and other labels were also commercial failures.

In a 2011 interview, Lewis said that he had lived in Newark, New Jersey since about 1980, and had become almost blind, but still performed occasionally.

Lewis died on April 28, 2020, aged 95, after contracting pneumonia.

Discography Singles YearTitlePeak chartpositionsRecord LabelB-sideAlbum USPop USR&BAUSCAN 1957 "Mumbles Blues" — ——— Mercury "Oh Baby" 1958 "Oh Mr. Somebody" — ——— "Yay, Yay, I Feel So Gay" 1959 "Fire of Love" — ——— Roulette "You Better Stop" 1961 "Tossin' and Turnin'" 1 11715 Beltone "Oh Yes, I Love You" Tossin' & Turnin'''

9 8 — 16

77 — — —

110 — — —

— — — —

98 — — —

— — — —

Tossin' & Turnin''' 1964 "Fannie Tucker" — ——— ABC-Paramount "That's Right" "Jealous Love" — ——— "Stark Raving Wild" 1968 "Soul Seekin'" — ——— Philips "Give Me Your Yesterdays"