My New Grandson - Alex - Oct. 15th, 2010

My new grandson Alex, Grandad and my daughter Holly.
Humming a lullaby.
A grandfather is someone with silver in his hair and gold in his heart.
My daughter Holly & Alex.

Bobby Vinton & Tobin Matthews

THEN - This was taken in New York, in a Columbia Records office, in 1962.
NOW - This picture of Bobby and me was taken in 2007.

"Little Waterfront Girl" Record Label

Tobin Matthews: "Little Waterfront Girl"

I recorded "Little Waterfront Girl" on Warner Bros. Records, in New York, in 1963. The song was co-written by Jerry Keller and Artie Wayne. Both Jerry and Artie have contributed a lot to the music industry with their writing and recording talents. My "Little Waterfront Girl" recording session was arranged and conducted by Alan Lorber and produced by the great Al Kasha. I've always liked this song a lot.

Jerry Keller

Jerry Keller, co-writer of "Little Waterfront Girl". Jerry had a smash hit in 1959 with "Here Comes Summer" on Kapp Records, a song he wrote and recorded. I first met Jerry in 1959 in Cedar Lake, Indiana at a ballroom on the lake. We were the warm-up band before the main artists came on stage. The only acts I remember on the main bill is Jerry and Dickey Doo and the Don'ts. The next time I saw him was in New York when we got together after I found and wanted to record "Little Waterfront Girl". He is a great guy.

Artie Wayne

Artie Wayne, co-writer of "Little Waterfront Girl". Artie wrote "Midnight Mary", the hit recording by Joey Powers on Amy Records in 1963. Artie is a prolific song writer and has written songs for numerous artists, including Cher, Ricky Nelson, Paul Anka and many others.

Lighthouse Cafe: Fisherman's Wharf

This is a menu and card from "The Lighthouse Cafe" on Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco. It's the place I sang about in my recording of "Little Waterfront Girl". It is now known as Nick's Lighthouse.

Tobin Matthews: Promo Picture

Tobin Matthews & Tony Orlando at Jilly's

Tony Orlando was a good friend and a great guy. We both had the same press agent, Bob Corcoran. We got together quite often, whether it was in Bob's office, Jilly's, Palasades Park or some show we were doing. We talked a lot about the music we were recording and appreciated each others opinion. This picture was given to me by Tony many years ago. The signing reads - "To Tobin, There should be more guys like you in this Biz. Your Pal, Tony"

Here are a couple of magazine clippings about Tony and I performing at JILLY'S in Orange, New Jersey. Tony and I loved the club and appeared there several times. The owner of this teen night club was the nephew of the man who owned JILLY'S in New York, which was a frequent hang-out of Frank Sinatra.

Tobin Matthews: Columbia Records Trade Ad

Norby King: Drummer Boy From Illinois

Norby King was my drummer in several of my bands and on all my Chicago recordings. He was originally from Calumet City, Illinois. We lived a block away from each other and when I needed a drummer, he was my first choice. When he sat down behind his drums, he put on a show, he was exciting. Norby was a great musician and even more than that, a close friend. I could always count on Norby to be there when I needed him. Sadly, Norby passed away several years ago shortly after his 60th birthday. I'm sure he's a drummer in a band in a better place.

Tobin Matthews: A Hot Fan At The Hop

This is a very short video for all you guys around my age. My friend Tom, who was taping this show at the MBC Museum in Chicago, spotted this girl while I was singing the Gene Vincent tune, "Be-Bop-A-Lula" and said he just had to get her on my video. When he showed me the tape, we both agreed she was hot!! He was so shook up he got her out of focus a couple of times. Hope you guys like her as much as we did.

Tobin Matthews: On tour in Virginia

This picture was taken in the early 60s in Virginia while I was on multi-state tour in the eastern part of the US. The pretty young lady was the Virginia Junior Miss. I'm sorry, but I can't remember her name. If she sees this or if anyone recognizes her, please contact me and I will put her name in this post.

Tobin Matthews: WXYZ - Detroit, Michigan - Paul Winter & Fred Wolf

Here is a picture taken in Detroit, Michigan in 1962 during the Toys For Tots show. In the photo with me are Paul Winter and Fred Wolf, two broadcasters from radio station WXYZ.

Tobin Matthews: "Teen Life Magazine" 1963

Tobin Matthews: Old Stage Jacket

This is a recent picture taken when I was visited by two old friends and former band members, Don Smith and Danny Pawlak. This is a jacket I wore on stage in the early 1960s and it still fits!! The same jacket is shown in a few black and white pictures posted earlier.

Willy And The Jeepers: "Where Ya Been"

This song, "Where Ya Been", is one of the first songs I ever recorded. This was about 4 years before I took the name "Tobin Matthews". It was recorded with the Jeepers band in Frank McNulty's home studio near Chicago. I was about 17 years old and the guys in the band were 15 and 16 years of age. "Where Ya Been" was written by Jimmy McHugh who played guitar in the group. Now, when I listen to it, I realize the bass was way too far up front. At that time we thought it was great. We were green and had no clue about recording. We would do one or two takes and thought that was good enough. "Where Ya Been" was our opening song at Popples Under 21 Club, record hops and other places we played. The kids loved it. I guess that's what counts.

Tobin Matthews & Ian Ziering - Beverly Hills 90210

This is me and Ian Ziering, who played Steve Sanders in the TV show "Beverly Hills 90210". It was taken in California. 90210 was one of the top TV shows at that time. When I got home with two pictues personally autographed by Ian for each of my daughters, Holly and Carrie, I was a hero in Indiana.

Tobin Matthews: Autograph Session in Detroit

This picture was taken in Detroit during an autograph session. To my left is Roger Smith from the TV show "77 Sunset Strip". To his left is Soupy Sales.

Tobin Matthews: "Raining In My Heart"

"Rainin' In My Heart" was originally recorded by "Buddy Holly". We recorded this version during the early 60s in New York for an album fill. The recording session was produced by "Al Kasha". This version was never released.

Tobin Matthews: Newspaper Article

Tobin Matthews: A Date In Manhattan

"They say the neon lights are bright on Broadway. But, looking at them just gives me the blues." Well, I certainly didn't have the blues that night. This is a date in Manhattan on a chilly winters night. The girl is Nancy Meyers. Nancy was a secretary at Columbia Records, where we met. We dated for about a year.

Cash Box: Looking Ahead Chart

This is part of the Cash Box Looking Ahead record chart. These were listing of up and coming records ready to break in to the Cash Box top 100 nationally.

Tobin Matthews: At Home In NYC

This picture was taken at my apartment in Greenwich Village in 1963.

A Tribute To My Friend - Jan Gabriel - 1940 - 2010

Jan Gabriel and I were friends for over 50 years. What a great friendship it was. The places we went, the things we did and the memories I have would fill a book. We were like brothers. The friendship we had was rare. I consider myself to be fortunate to have had someone who was always there, through the good times and the hard times. Sadly, Jan passed away earlier this month. This left a void in my heart that will be there for the rest of my life. May God bless you and keep you my friend. --- I would like to thank "Neil Diamond" for recording such a great song that says exactly what I wanted to say in my tribute to Jan. - The video clip and a few of the photos I used in this post are courtesy of Peggy Poppel.

Jan Gabriel - Mr. Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!

Jan was the legendary motor sports announcer known for his signature phrase "Sunday! Sunday! Sunday!" used to promote the US 30 Drag Strip events in Northwest Indiana. He created, produced and hosted the nationally syndicated TV show "The Super Chargers" which ran from 1982 to 1994. Jan called the action at Santa Fe Speedway in Hinsdale/Willow Springs, Illinois from 1968 to 1982. He established and was president of his production company, TV One Inc. He founded the "Team Demolition Association" in 1999 and was running demo events in Joliet at Route 66 Raceway til the time of his passing. That is just part of Jans active career. There is more about Jan on one of my earlier posts.