Bobby Darin was a true renaissance man of 20th century entertainment. Born Walden Robert Cassotto in 1936, the silky-voiced crooner shot to stardom in 1958 with his million-selling novelty hit “Splish Splash,” but he swiftly transcended the one-hit wonder label. Over his meteoric 15-year career, Darin mastered virtually every popular genre – rock, jazz, folk, country, you name it. His definitive versions of “Mack the Knife” and “Beyond the Sea” became eternal standards.

But Darin was more than just a supernova singer. He was a gifted actor, earning an Oscar nod for 1963’s “Captain Newman, M.D.” He was a respected songwriter who penned songs recorded by himself and stars like Wayne Newton and Connie Francis. And as the 60s progressed, he used his platform to champion social causes, campaigning for Robert F. Kennedy while creating protest music on his own imprint Direction Records.

Branded an arrogant rebel in his youth, the soulful Darin seemed driven by an awareness that his rheumatic heart condition could cut his life short at any moment. Darin squeezed more raw, restless passion and fervent living into his brief blaze of glory than most artists achieve in entire careers. He was a supremely talented showman who did it his way – with style, soul and endless swagger.

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