For those unaware, R&B singer Robert Byrd, better known as Bobby Day, recorded in many guises, starting with The Hollywood Flames, and then with various other groups and as a solo artist, but always recognizable from his distinctive voice, and best-known for his big hit with his original version of Rockin’ Robin.

This 58-track 2-CD collection comprises selected A & B sides of releases on the Swing Time, Cash, Specialty, Modern, Atlantic, Spark, Zephyr, Class & Rendezvous labels from this era. It features solo performances and recordings as Bob & Earl, The Question Marks, The Original Turks, The Voices, Bobby Byrd & The Byrds, David Ford & The Ebbtides, The Sounds, The Crescendos, Robert Byrd and Bobby Day & The Satellites.

It includes his No. 2 US hit and UK chart entry Rockin’ Robin’, plus his other US hits Little Bitty Pretty One, Over And Over, The Bluebird, The Buzzard And The Oriole, That’s All I Want, Gotta New Girl and Gee Whiz. He was a significant personality in the R&B, rock ’n’ roll and pop scene of the ’50s and ’60s and this is a comprehensive and entertaining selection of his work.

As aforementioned, best known for his songwriting ability, Day wrote and recorded “Little Bitty Pretty One” but it was made popular by Thurston Harris whose version hit no. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1958. The single was also recorded by Frankie Lymon in 1960 followed by Clyde McPhatter in 1962. The Jackson Five recorded the song in 1972 where it reached no.13 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and no. 2 on the Billboard R&B chart.

Day wrote and recorded “Over and Over” that climbed to no.40 on the pop chart in 1958. The Dave Clark Five, an English Rock & Roll band in 1958 made their own version which hit the Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. Among other songs he wrote and recorded were “The Bluebird, The Buzzard and the Oriole,” and “That’s All I Want” in 1959. Day recorded on several record labels including Rendezvous, RCA, Sure-Shot, and Jama Records.

Day appeared on several variety shows in the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s including American Bandstand and The Midnight Special. Both were live music variety shows featuring performances by popular artists, interviews of celebrity guests, and teenagers dancing. Sadly, Day died of prostate cancer at age 60 on July 27, 1990, in Los Angeles. He is survived by his wife Jackie and their four children.

Disc 1:
Go Get Some More; Wagon Wheels; Why; Hey Now; My Love Grows Stronger; I Want To Be Ready; Santa Claus Boogie; The Truth Hurts; Let’s Live Together As One; My Confession; So Unnecessary; Cold Chills; Sweet Sixteen; Anything For You; Sweet Dreams; Finders Keepers; Bippin’ An’ Boppin’ (Over You); If We Should Meet Again; Looby Doo; Come Seven; So Long Baby; Little Bitty Pretty One; When The Swallows Come Back To Capistrano; You Made A Boo-Boo; That’s My Desire; Beep-Beep-Beep; Darling, If I Had You; Sweet Little Thing; Honeysuckle Baby

Disc 2:
Little Turtle Dove; Saving My Life For You; Rockin’ Robin; Over And Over; When She Walks; Sweet Pea; Chains Of Love; The Bluebird, The Buzzard And The Oriole; Alone Too Long; That’s All I Want; Say Yes; Mr. And Mrs. Rock & Roll; Gotta New Girl; Ain’t Gonna Cry No More; Love Is A One-Time Affair; Unchained Melody; Three Young Rebs From Georgia; My Blue Heaven; I Don’t Want To; Teenage Philosopher; Undecided; Gee Whiz; I Need Help; Life Can Be Beautiful; King’s Highway; What Fools We Mortals Be; Don’t Worry ’Bout Me; Oop-E-Du-Pers Ball; Slow Pokey Joe

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