I was born and raised in Elizabeth. An only child, the television set and the phonograph became my favorite toys before the age of 2, and my passion for both has never diminished. I am a lifetime vinyl record collector and music historian. I toured as a member of the vocal group the Duprees, most famous for the top-10 hit“You Belong to Me.” He also released recordings with numerous vocal ensembles, such as the Infernos, the Autumns, Retrospect, the Patterns, and the James Myers Quintet. I portray George Flynn in the 2018 film "The Price for Silence," starring Richard Thomas of The Waltons, and I have an extra role on FX’s long-running The Americans (Season 6).
Bob O'Brien
Gene Vincent Recorded BE BOP A LULA this Day 1956
It's an all-time rockabilly classic with two amazing guitar breaks - it's BE BOP A LULA by Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, and it was recorded this day in 1956. At a time in which most records of this ilk were released on tiny local labels, this one was on the gigantic Capitol label, and it reached Top Ten...
Jersey Boy FRANKIE VALLI Is 84 Today
FRANKIE VALLI is 84 today. Did you know that he was not an overnight success. In fact, the Jersey Boy took 10 years to have his first Top Ten hit. His first taste of chart success came in 1956 with the Four Lovers who had a minor hit with a song called "You're the Apple of My Eye...
JAMES BROWN Was Born this Day in 1928
The Godfather of Soul, JAMES BROWN was born this day in 1928. His impact upon the music world is immeasurable with four decades of major hits on both the Pop and R&B charts. Here's a JB performance (click below) you may have never seen - as an actor/performer in the color film titled Ski Party. A ...
JAY LENO Is 68 Today
Comic and former Tonight Show host JAY LENO turns 68 today. He also had a role in the Alan Freed biopic titled American Hot Wax. Bob O'Brien here explaining the photo I had taken with him. It was my birthday and I had tickets to see the show...
Happy VINYL RECORD STORE DAY To All
It began small in 2007. but has grown into quite a big yearly event. Celebrating VINYL records, it's RECORD STORE DAY. There's nothing better than seeing a vinyl record spinning on a turntable, and dropping the stylus onto the lead-in groove...
NIGHT COURT’S HARRY ANDERSON Dies at 65
Surprise and sadness. He first came to our attention as the clever, shifty and very funny "Harry the Hat" on Cheers. The accomplished magician and comic was then spun off into his own big hit series Night Court, which garnered numerous Emmy Awards...
DUSTY SPRINGFIELD Born this Day in 1939
Her real name was Mary O'Brien, no relation to our own Bob O'Brien, but DUSTY SPRINGFIELD was much more memorable. Among her biggest hits - "Wishin' and Hopin'," "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me," "Son of a Preacher Man," "Stay Awhile," "The Look of Love," and "I Only Want to Be with You...
ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK Recorded this Day 1954
Bill Haley and His Comets recorded their legendary version of "Rock around the Clock" this day in 1954. The song was originally done by Sunny Dae and the Knights, but was not a hit for them. Bill Haley's version was also not an immediate success...
National LOUIE LOUIE Day
The song became famous, or infamous when recorded by the Kingsmen in 1963. "Louie Louie" was thought to be a "dirty" song, mostly because no one could decipher the lyrics of the poorly recorded rock and roll song. Even the FBI got involved, believe it or not...
Drifters Member CHARLIE THOMAS Is 81 Today
He was with the 1960s Drifters and still works today. He's CHARLIE THOMAS and he celebrates his 81st birthday. Among his lead vocals - "Baltimore," "When My Little Girl Is Smiling," "I Don't Want to Go on Without You," and "Sweets for My Sweet...
JOHN OATES Turns 69 Today
Philadelphia's JOHN OATES turns 69 today. Before meeting Daryl Hall in an elevator a few years later, Oates sang in a blue-eyed soul group called the Masters. In fact, if you look at the composing credits on the label, you'll see his name. Give a listen to a teenage John Oates by clicking below...
Prolific Songwriter JOHN D. LOUDERMILK Born this Day in 1934
You may not know his name, but you know his songs. Truly one of the most prolific composers of the rock era, JOHN D. LOUDERMILK was born this day in 1934. He often recorded his own songs - sometimes as Johnny Dee, and frequently as John D. Loudermilk, but his songs recorded by others became his success story...