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On July 18, 1966, Bobby Fuller died.
Bobby Fuller
Fuller performing with The Bobby Fuller Four in 1966
Background information
Birth name: Robert Gaston Fuller
Born: October 22, 1942; Baytown, Texas, United States
Origin: El Paso, Texas, United States
Died: July 18, 1966 (aged 23); Los Angeles, California, United States
Robert Gaston Fuller (October 22, 1942 – July 18, 1966) was an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for "Let Her Dance" and his cover of the Crickets' "I Fought the Law," recorded with his group The Bobby Fuller Four.
{snip}
Career
At a time when the British Invasion and folk rock were the dominant genres in rock, Fuller stuck to Buddy Holly's style of classic rock and roll with Tex Mex flourishes. His recordings, both covers and originals, also reveal the influences of Eddie Cochran, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and The Everly Brothers, as well as surf guitar. Less well known was Fuller's ability to emulate the reverb-laden surf guitar of Dick Dale and The Ventures. His first Top 40 hit was the self-penned "Let Her Dance". His second hit, "I Fought the Law", peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 12–19, 1966. The song was originally written and recorded by Sonny Curtis, who became a member of Buddy Holly's former group The Crickets after Holly's death. The group's third Top 40 single was a cover of Holly's "Love's Made a Fool of You".
Death
Within months of "I Fought the Law" becoming a top 10 hit, Fuller was found dead in an automobile parked outside his Hollywood apartment. The Los Angeles deputy medical examiner, Jerry Nelson, performed the autopsy. According to Dean Kuipers: "The report states that Bobby's face, chest, and side were covered in 'petechial hemorrhages,' probably caused by gasoline vapors and the summer heat. He found no bruises, no broken bones, no cuts. No evidence of beating." Kuipers further explains that boxes for "accident" and "suicide" were checked, but next to the boxes were question marks. Despite the official cause of death, some commentators believe Fuller was murdered.
Erik Greene, a relative of Sam Cooke, has cited similarities in the deaths of Cooke and Fuller. Fuller's bandmate Jim Reese suspected that Charles Manson played a role in Fuller's death, but never provided credible evidence; Manson was in prison from 1961 to 1967. A sensationalist crime website has speculated that the Los Angeles Police Department may have been involved because of Fuller's connection to a Mafia-related woman.
Fuller was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. His death was profiled in a segment of Unsolved Mysteries.
His death was also explored in the May 11, 2015 episode of the NPR program All Things Considered. The program references the book I Fought the Law: The Life and Strange Death of Bobby Fuller, by Miriam Linna, with contributions by Randy Fuller. Sometime after the Unsolved Mysteries segment in question initially aired, the cause of Fuller's death was officially changed from "suicide" to "accident".
{snip}
Fuller performing with The Bobby Fuller Four in 1966
Background information
Birth name: Robert Gaston Fuller
Born: October 22, 1942; Baytown, Texas, United States
Origin: El Paso, Texas, United States
Died: July 18, 1966 (aged 23); Los Angeles, California, United States
Robert Gaston Fuller (October 22, 1942 – July 18, 1966) was an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitarist best known for "Let Her Dance" and his cover of the Crickets' "I Fought the Law," recorded with his group The Bobby Fuller Four.
{snip}
Career
At a time when the British Invasion and folk rock were the dominant genres in rock, Fuller stuck to Buddy Holly's style of classic rock and roll with Tex Mex flourishes. His recordings, both covers and originals, also reveal the influences of Eddie Cochran, The Beatles, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and The Everly Brothers, as well as surf guitar. Less well known was Fuller's ability to emulate the reverb-laden surf guitar of Dick Dale and The Ventures. His first Top 40 hit was the self-penned "Let Her Dance". His second hit, "I Fought the Law", peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 on March 12–19, 1966. The song was originally written and recorded by Sonny Curtis, who became a member of Buddy Holly's former group The Crickets after Holly's death. The group's third Top 40 single was a cover of Holly's "Love's Made a Fool of You".
Death
Within months of "I Fought the Law" becoming a top 10 hit, Fuller was found dead in an automobile parked outside his Hollywood apartment. The Los Angeles deputy medical examiner, Jerry Nelson, performed the autopsy. According to Dean Kuipers: "The report states that Bobby's face, chest, and side were covered in 'petechial hemorrhages,' probably caused by gasoline vapors and the summer heat. He found no bruises, no broken bones, no cuts. No evidence of beating." Kuipers further explains that boxes for "accident" and "suicide" were checked, but next to the boxes were question marks. Despite the official cause of death, some commentators believe Fuller was murdered.
Erik Greene, a relative of Sam Cooke, has cited similarities in the deaths of Cooke and Fuller. Fuller's bandmate Jim Reese suspected that Charles Manson played a role in Fuller's death, but never provided credible evidence; Manson was in prison from 1961 to 1967. A sensationalist crime website has speculated that the Los Angeles Police Department may have been involved because of Fuller's connection to a Mafia-related woman.
Fuller was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills of Los Angeles. His death was profiled in a segment of Unsolved Mysteries.
His death was also explored in the May 11, 2015 episode of the NPR program All Things Considered. The program references the book I Fought the Law: The Life and Strange Death of Bobby Fuller, by Miriam Linna, with contributions by Randy Fuller. Sometime after the Unsolved Mysteries segment in question initially aired, the cause of Fuller's death was officially changed from "suicide" to "accident".
{snip}
American Bandstand 1966 -SPOTLIGHT DANCE- I Fought The Law, The Bobby Fuller Four
YouCanDanceToit!
102K subscribers
37,961 views Aug 1, 2020
Airdate: February 12, 1966
If I had been in the studio on this day and they asked for volunteers for the Spotlight Dance, I would’ve raised both hands. I can think of few things in this world I would enjoy more than to dance to this song as a teenager, in my sport coat and tie, with a pretty girl (maybe she has colorful leg fashions that I “dig”, lol) on American Bandstand in 1966. I would still be smiling about it 50+ years later.
I made a montage with pieces of this segment a couple of years ago but I wanted to show the whole thing. Also, as this is easily one of my top 10 favorite songs of all-time, I was happy to highlight it again.
Our Spotlight Dancers today include Jeff Hight & Melody McMurray who were frequent regulars in 1966 and can be seen on some of the “Shebang” episodes. We also have the lovely June Strode dancing with the ubiquitous and always smiling, Famous Hooks.
Bobby Fuller’s cover of the post-Buddy Holly Crickets’ song is still new and climbing the charts as it reaches #33 today and will peak at #9 next month. The song was written by Crickets’ bandmember Sonny Curtis who also wrote and sang “Love Is All Around”, the theme to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”.
{snip}
YouCanDanceToit!
102K subscribers
37,961 views Aug 1, 2020
Airdate: February 12, 1966
If I had been in the studio on this day and they asked for volunteers for the Spotlight Dance, I would’ve raised both hands. I can think of few things in this world I would enjoy more than to dance to this song as a teenager, in my sport coat and tie, with a pretty girl (maybe she has colorful leg fashions that I “dig”, lol) on American Bandstand in 1966. I would still be smiling about it 50+ years later.
I made a montage with pieces of this segment a couple of years ago but I wanted to show the whole thing. Also, as this is easily one of my top 10 favorite songs of all-time, I was happy to highlight it again.
Our Spotlight Dancers today include Jeff Hight & Melody McMurray who were frequent regulars in 1966 and can be seen on some of the “Shebang” episodes. We also have the lovely June Strode dancing with the ubiquitous and always smiling, Famous Hooks.
Bobby Fuller’s cover of the post-Buddy Holly Crickets’ song is still new and climbing the charts as it reaches #33 today and will peak at #9 next month. The song was written by Crickets’ bandmember Sonny Curtis who also wrote and sang “Love Is All Around”, the theme to “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”.
{snip}
The Bobby Fuller Four - Let Her Dance
John1948TwoB1a
4.97K subscribers
70,905 views Oct 28, 2014
Robert Gaston "Bobby" Fuller (October 22, 1942 -- July 18, 1966) was an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitar player best known for his singles "I Fought the Law" and "Love's Made a Fool of You," recorded with his mid-1960s group, the Bobby Fuller Four.
{snip}
John1948TwoB1a
4.97K subscribers
70,905 views Oct 28, 2014
Robert Gaston "Bobby" Fuller (October 22, 1942 -- July 18, 1966) was an American rock singer, songwriter, and guitar player best known for his singles "I Fought the Law" and "Love's Made a Fool of You," recorded with his mid-1960s group, the Bobby Fuller Four.
{snip}
Tue Jul 18, 2023: On this day, July 18, 1966, Bobby Fuller died.
Mon Jul 18, 2022: On this day, July 18, 1966, Bobby Fuller died.