Robin Luke
Encyclopedia
Robin Luke is an American
rockabilly
singer who is best known for his 1958 song, "Susie Darlin". He has been enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
.
. Luke was living in Honolulu
, Hawaii
, attending Punahou School, in 1958 when he wrote
and recorded
a Billboard #5
hit
, "Susie Darlin," a song named after his then five-year-old sister
, Susie. The track also reached #23 in the UK Singles Chart
. The record
sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc
. He continued to record, but was unable to repeat his Top 10 success. His first four singles
were recorded for the small International label
in Honolulu. After "Susie Darlin'" started getting local airplay, Dot Records
bought his recording contract
and the International master tapes
.
Dr. Robin Luke holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Missouri
in Columbia, Missouri
. He is currently a professor and head of the Marketing Department at Missouri State University
in Springfield
, Missouri
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rockabilly
Rockabilly
Rockabilly is one of the earliest styles of rock and roll music, dating to the early 1950s.The term rockabilly is a portmanteau of rock and hillbilly, the latter a reference to the country music that contributed strongly to the style's development...
singer who is best known for his 1958 song, "Susie Darlin". He has been enshrined in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Rockabilly Hall of Fame
The Rockabilly Hall of Fame was established on the internet on March 21, 1997, to present early rock and roll history and information relative to the artists and personalities involved in this pioneering American music genre....
.
Biography
Robin Luke was discovered by Hawaii entrepreneur Kimo Wilder McVayKimo Wilder McVay
Kimo Wilder McVay was a musician turned talent manager, who successfully promoted Hawaiian entertainment acts. McVay promoted and managed acts such as teenage heart throb Robin Luke, Don Ho, John Rowles, comic Andy Bumatai, Keolo and Kapono Beamer, ventroliquist Freddie Morris, magician John...
. Luke was living in Honolulu
Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Hawaii. Honolulu is the southernmost major U.S. city. Although the name "Honolulu" refers to the urban area on the southeastern shore of the island of Oahu, the city and county government are consolidated as the City and...
, Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, attending Punahou School, in 1958 when he wrote
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and recorded
Sound recording and reproduction
Sound recording and reproduction is an electrical or mechanical inscription and re-creation of sound waves, such as spoken voice, singing, instrumental music, or sound effects. The two main classes of sound recording technology are analog recording and digital recording...
a Billboard #5
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Susie Darlin," a song named after his then five-year-old sister
Sibling
Siblings are people who share at least one parent. A male sibling is called a brother; and a female sibling is called a sister. In most societies throughout the world, siblings usually grow up together and spend a good deal of their childhood socializing with one another...
, Susie. The track also reached #23 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
. The record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc
Music recording sales certification
Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...
. He continued to record, but was unable to repeat his Top 10 success. His first four singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
were recorded for the small International label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
in Honolulu. After "Susie Darlin'" started getting local airplay, Dot Records
Dot Records
Dot Records was an American record label and company that was active between 1950 and 1977. It was founded by Randy Wood. In Gallatin, Tennessee, Wood had earlier started a mail order record shop, known for its radio ads on WLAC in Nashville and its R&B air personality Bill "Hoss" Allen...
bought his recording contract
Recording contract
A recording contract is a legal agreement between a record label and a recording artist , where the artist makes a record for the label to sell and promote...
and the International master tapes
Master recording
A multitrack recording master tape, disk or computer files on which productions are developed for later mixing, is known as the multi-track master, while the tape, disk or computer files holding a mix is called a mixed master.It is standard practice to make a copy of a master recording, known as...
.
Dr. Robin Luke holds a Ph.D. in Business Administration and Marketing from the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
. He is currently a professor and head of the Marketing Department at Missouri State University
Missouri State University
Missouri State University is a public university located in Springfield, Missouri, United States and founded in 1905. It is the state's second largest university, with an official enrollment of 20,802 in fall 2011...
in Springfield
Springfield, Missouri
Springfield is the third largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. According to the 2010 census data, the population was 159,498, an increase of 5.2% since the 2000 census. The Springfield Metropolitan Area, population 436,712, includes the counties of...
, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.
Singles
- "Susie Darlin'" b/w "Living's Loving You" (International 206, 1957 & Dot 15781, 1958)
- "Hound Dog" b/w (International 206, 1958 & Dot 15781, 1958)
- "My Girl" b/w "Chicka Chicka Honey" (International 208, 1957 & Dot 15839,1958)
- "You Can't Stop Me From Dreaming" b/w ""Strollin' Blues" (International 210, 1957 & Dot 15899, 1959)
- "Five Minutes More" b/w "Won't You Please Me Mine?" (International 212, 1958 & Dot 15959, 1959)
- "Make Me A Dreamer" b/w "Walkin' In The Moonlight" (Dot 16001, 1959)
- "Bad Boy" b/w "School Bus Love Affair" (Dot 16040, 1960)
- "Everlovin'" b/w "Well Oh, Well Oh" (Dot 16096, 1960)
- "Part Of A Fool" b/w "Poor Little Rich Boy" (Dot 16229,1961)
- "My Pink Velvet Shoes" b/w(International 212, 1959 & Dot 15959, 1959)
- "Foggin' Up The Windows with my guy" b/w "Wound Time" (Dot 16366, 1962)