Bobby Darin

USA, 1956–1973

American singer (1936-1973) who moved between teenage rock and roll ('Splish Splash'), swing standards ('Mack the Knife') and folk-rock across a short career.

MusicRoots documents 3 artists who influenced Bobby Darin and 0 artists Bobby Darin influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Bobby Darin?

• Frank Sinatra — Sinatra's phrasing and saloon-singer cool were Darin's model for his swing period — 'Mack the Knife' and 'That's All' aimed squarely at Sinatra's turf.
• Louis Armstrong — It was Louis Armstrong's recording of 'Mack the Knife' that Darin modelled his own hit version on.
• Ray Charles — Ray Charles was Darin's favourite singer; the deep pull of Charles's R&B shaped Darin's soulful, genre-crossing side.