Bobby Mitchell (singer)

Mitchell at WWOZ, early 1980s

Bobby Mitchell (August 16, 1935 – March 17, 1989)[1] was an American, New Orleans–based, rhythm & blues singer and songwriter.[2]

Mitchell was born in the Algiers section of New Orleans.[2] He was a popular recording artist in the 1950s and early 1960s, making records for Imperial Records, Show Biz Records and Rip Records. He first recorded in his teens with the doo-wop group "The Toppers", which was broken up as most of the members were drafted.[2] Mitchell's single "Try Rock 'n Roll," hit the top 20 of the US Billboard R&B chart in 1956.[3] Many of his sessions were arranged by Dave Bartholomew. His single "I'm Gonna Be a Wheel Someday" was a hit, pre dating the more famous cover of the tune by Fats Domino and got Mitchell an appearance on American Bandstand.[2]

In the early 1980s he did radio shows at WWOZ. [4]

Mitchell died in March 1989, at the age of 53, after years of health issues including diabetes, renal failure, and several heart attacks.[2]

References

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  1. ^ Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 1711. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Bobby Mitchell | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
  3. ^ Berry, Jason (April 19, 1987). "NEW ORLEANS, AND ALL THAT JAZZ". Nytimes.com. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
  4. ^ "History of WWOZ". Wwoz.org. May 9, 2008. Retrieved September 29, 2021.
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