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Teen idol, Bobby Vee enjoyed a phenomenal following on almost every continent of the world for over fifty years. The story of his career reads like a fairytale. At age 15, he and his band landed the opportunity of a lifetime, albeit under deeply tragic circumstances when he was asked to fill in at a gig following the fatal plane crash that took the lives of Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper. From a teenager who had only ever worked as a paper boy, he went on to have a full life in music, scoring 38 hit singles in the U.S. and the U.K., with hordes of adoring fans on almost every continent. With his clear, ringing voice and clean cut good looks, Vee was made for superstardom. Unlike the first flush of hard-edged rock ‘n’ rollers a few years before, Vee’s persona was acceptable to both the media and the parental market of middle America. So much so that he was described by the English rock critic Andrew Darlington, as “the perfect parentally approved dream boyfriend.” He also had the distinction of giving one Robert Zimmerman, AKA Bob Dylan, an early professional outing when he hired him for his band in 1959. Dylan returned the favour, suggesting the young Bobby change his name from ‘Velline’ to ‘Vee’. This collection celebrates the birth of an icon by featuring 20 of his early hits including Suzie Baby, One Last Kiss, Rubber Ball, and of course, the timeless Take Good Care Of My Baby.
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