Tobin Matthews: Hi-Teen Magazine

This was a full page picture from "Hi-Teen" magazine in 1963.

This various artists CD on Sepia Records, #1275, was just released February 10th, 2015. It is titled "The Big Hits Of Yesterday" Volume 2 and includes my 1962 Columbia recording of "Susan". Thank you Sepia Records, it's nice to be remembered.

Tobin Matthews Collection CD

These are pictures of one of the many CD's I'm making here at home for my family and friends. It shows the inserts in the jewel case and the CD. Each one is personalized for the individual and the disc is autographed.

AMERICAN MUSIC MAGAZINE - April 2012

American Music Magazine, Issue 129, April 2012. There is a picture of Tobin and his band on the cover, several pictures and a nice 3 page article inside. The article, written by "Andy Merey", tells the real story about the instrumental, "Ruby Duby Du" on Chief Records, and how and why "Willy Henson" became "Tobin Matthews". Andy also writes about Tobins' singing career and his recordings on USA, Columbia and Warner Bros. records. This is a quarterly magazine and should be on the stands through the month of June, 2012.

Fun, Music and Friends

Jimmy McHugh, Tobin, and Ron Lane. The girl in the back is Astrid, Ron's friend. The picture was taken at Jimmy's house. This is just one of the many times we got together to play a little music, drink a few beers and have a lot of fun.

Tobin Matthews - "Susan" - Columbia Records - 1962

The sound quality on this post of "Susan" is a lot better than my earlier post. Hope the fans of my record "Susan" enjoy this clearer version.

Excerpt from Blitz - The Rock & Roll Magazine For Thinking People...

Tobin Matthews made a number of significant contributions to rock and roll. Born Willy Henson in Calumet City, Illinois, Matthews interned as a member of the Rhythm Rockers and Jimmy and the Jeepers in the late 1950s before embarking on a six year solo career in 1960 that included stops at USA, Columbia and Warner Brothers Records.

One of the highlights was Matthews' 1963 "Little Waterfront Girl" single (Warner Brothers 5455), which combined the best elements of such recent chart successes as the Essex's Easier Said Than Done (Roulette R-4494) and the Drifters' On Broadway (Atlantic 45-2182). But as was the case with Gibbs, Teensville again opted for the flip side, which in this case is Matthews' uptempo, Mark Dinning/Ed Rambeau-like "Don't Make Faces". In recent months, Tobin has been developing a web site, in which he intends to chronicle the highlights of his remarkable career.

Tobin falls, breaks both ankles....

Air lifted to hospital....

Hey Everyone! This is Holly - Willy's (Tobin's) daughter. I am making this post for him as he is in the hospital and I wanted you all to know what's up.

I received a call on Saturday afternoon and jumped in the car with my family - destination Chicago: Christ hospital where my dad was air lifted to after a fall.

How did this happen?

Turns out the barn had experienced some wind damage - sheeting was torn loose in several places.

So Dad - age 70 - decides to fix this himself.



He leans a ladder up to the right side of our barn (yellow arrow).

Ladder begins to slip, Dad preps for fall, getting into a crouching position to help jump down.

Thing is - Dad is jumping onto concrete on this side of the barn - as he breaks his fall he breaks both ankles.

THANKFULLY he keeps his Cell in his pocket so he was able to call 911....for as you can see from the barn photo - our home is out in the middle of no where.

Result?

One ankle is compound and broken in 3 places - other the outside metatarsal is broken along with all ligaments torn....fortunately Dad has no other injuries.

He is okay and recovering quite quickly. He's already been through 2 surgeries and now has a total of 8 rods in the ankle that was broken in 3 places and casts on both legs.

He's already been moving around with assistance and is now looking at options for rehab and recovery. I will hop on over and post an update on his recovery soon.

Thanks for the well wishes!

~ Holly

Tobin Matthews and the All-Stars

This picture of the band and I was taken in 1961 after performing at a record hop. Pictured with me are Don Smith, Frankie Gage, Danny Pawlak and Jerry Rose.

Jimmy McHugh

This is an early photo of Jimmy McHugh, probably the late 50s. Jimmy played lead/rhythm guitar in the "Jeepers" band. After leaving our group to attend Drake University, he recorded "I Don't Want Everything" for Success Records. Today, playing the keyboard, he is still active at various venues in N. W. Indiana and the Chicago area. Love that guitar!!
Jimmy and Tobin

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