ROBERTS, ROBIN

Homebase: Tacoma, WA.
Stats: Lawrence Fewell Roberts II
b. 11/23/40 New York, NY - d. 12/22/67 San Mateo, CA
Misc Notes: The Wailers were the backing band for Roberts' recordings.
ALSO SEE:
1.)ROBERTS, ROCKIN' ROBIN

"'ROCKIN' ROBIN ROBERTS"
by Peter Blecha [Courtesy and copyright, 2009, HistoryLink.org]

A founding father of Northwest rock 'n' roll, Tacoma's "Rockin' Robin" Roberts initially sang with that town's trailblazing 1950s white rhythm & blues combo, the Blue Notes. But in mid-1959 he was lured away by their crosstown rivals, the Wailers, who had mainly been known for their role in helping define the original Northwest rock sound, which consisted largely of instrumental tunes. His addition to their lineup proved to be a wise move: Roberts's energetic manner, riveting voice, and deep knowledge of R&B music all combined to make him as charismatic a front man as the Pacific Northwest would ever produce. Ever ambitious, Roberts was a key instigator in pushing his fellow band members to form their own record company, an unprecedented move for a teenaged group. Etiquette Records' debut release -- the earliest garage-rock version of "Louie Louie," and one that featured Roberts's electrifying vocals -- became a number one, region-wide radio hit in 1961 (and again in 1962), and can be credited with inspiring legions of later bands. Sadly, though, Roberts -- who more than any other individual embodied the frenetic spirit of the early Northwest rock scene -- would die far too young. [READ MORE...]

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