Robin Luke - Susie Darlin' (DOT 15781 - 1958)

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In May 1958, in the bedroom in a downtown apartment, Punahou senior Robin Luke recorded "Susie Darlin'," backing up his own vocals with guitar and ukulele while someone else provided percussion using a cardboard LP cover, two pens and a stick. The song became a national Top 10 hit. A few years later, Luke simply disappeared from the charts, leaving a generation of radio listeners wondering what happened to him.

Luke was 16 when he became a national teen idol whose contemporaries included Buddy Holly, Ricky Nelson, Richie Valens, Frankie Avalon, Sam Cooke and the Everly Brothers. "My dad used to say it was better than being an idle teen," Luke said. "He also told me when it all began not to allow my hat size to increase." There was no chance of that happening, says Dick Ednie, Luke's best friend who played "bucket bass" when they performed together at parties and variety shows. "Robin never wanted fame and glory," said Ednie, now manager of Bank of Hawaii's Honokaa branch on the Big Island. "He was more secure in academics than rock shows. Music was always a fun thing for him."

Luke's parents - Robert Sr., a former service representative for Douglas Aircraft, and Patricia -- came to Hawaii in 1953 and lived in Aina Haina for 11 years. Luke began taking guitar lessons at age 6, but in spite of his music success, his parents wanted their only son to go to college. "My parents made me promise that I'd get a college education," Luke said. "'Susie Darlin' provided enough money so I never had to work while going to school and college provided the start for what I do today."

"Susie Darlin' " was first recorded locally on Bob Bertram's International label. Luke was introduced to Bertram by Kimo McVay, who tried unsuccessfully to get his brother to sign the young singer for York Records. "I had come home in 1957 to christen my son Mark, and my niece, Kinau Wilder, kept talking up this kid at her school to me," McVay said. "So I finally went up to Punahou and had him sing for me in the basement of Dillingham Hall." Bertram recorded "Susie Darlin" and the bluesy "Living's Loving You" in a "studio," which Luke recalls was a downtown apartment with the bathroom serving as an echo chamber.

Luke played the guitar and ukulele; Bertram tapped out percussion on the record album cover and provided the unique "clicking sound" in the background by hitting two pens with a stick, Luke said.

Luke credits Moffatt and Ron Jacobs of K-POI radio with making "Susie Darlin' " a hit in Hawaii by playing it two to three times an hour. Art Freeman, the Cleveland distributor for Dot Records, heard "Susie Darlin' " on the radio while honeymooning in Hawaii with his wife Dorothy. Freeman took a copy of the record to Dot President Randy Wood, who then signed Luke. Dot purchased the master for distribution on the mainland and as Luke started his senior year at Punahou, "Susie Darlin' " had climbed to No. 7 on the national pop chart.

During the summer, Luke appeared on Dick Clark's Saturday night television show, "American Bandstand," and the "Perry Como Show."

http://www.rockabillyhall.com/RobinLuke1.html

Category:

Education

Tags:

• rock
• rockabilly
• 1950s

[LMHS63]

Guys in jackets & ties, girls in dresses, my generation. We watched "Bandstand" each day after school on a B&W 13" TV. Great era to grow up in glad I was there ! Thanks for the post !

[John1948ElevenA31]

@LMHS63 I'm glad for those days too. We were truly blessed.

[John1948ElevenA31]

@63striker It took me a while to find this one. I love it!

[63striker]

John- this is just amazing; thanks a bunch!! Really dig Robin Luke..

[jestalhut]

This is a great song, thanks for the wonderful music, Robin Luke

[MrPistolMason]

I was barely walking when this came out . . . but I remember hearing it on my mom's radio in the kitchen!!

[brownindian17]

I have this 45 and played it non-stop during the 60.s

[boobeejoo]

grew up in Thailand get to learn English by singing (MIMIC) the American song.

[bluecatky]

@edddk12 You danced on Bandstand in '59 and '60? What an amazing experience that must have been! I wasn't alive then (just turned 50), but I've always loved the rock music from the mid and late 1950's.

[edddk12]

@bluecatky Indeed some of us have, and do. I danced on Bandstand 8 times in 59 and 60. Great memories and Youtube has really helped re-live them. ty

[margolou2010]

Love this ... magic music to this four-year-old (in 1958).

[bluecatky]

Love this song! And it's always interesting seeing scenes of people dancing to the songs during the time it was on the charts. I guess those dancing teens in this video are in their 60's and 70's now. I wonder if any of them have gotten on Youtube and seen themselves dancing from 50 plus years ago?