According to ultimateclassicrock.com, Singer Robert Gordon, best known for his work in the rockabilly revivalist movement of the late ’70s, has died at age 75. His death was confirmed by Gordon’s record label and a GoFundMe page has been set up by Gordon’s family last month that stated he was in the hospital for six weeks as he battled acute myeloid leukemia. The fundraiser’s page stated, “Robert’s incredible voice and his music has not only put rockabilly back on the map, it has made memories for us all, A voice like his, coupled with the authenticity he brings to the music, is unforgettable and doesn’t come around very often.”
Label VP Matt Green said in a statement, “Cleopatra Records would like to offer our deepest condolences to his family and friends, We liked working with Robert, and will miss his powerful baritone vocal as well as his focused dedication to his music.”
Gordon was born in Bethesda, MD., and was interested in music from early on, and cited Elvis Presley’s “Heartbreak Hotel” as one of his main inspirations for choosing his career. Saying in a 2010 interview, I listened to music incessantly growing up, It opened new horizons.” He went on to make his music debut at the age of 17 with a band called the Confidentials and throughout the ’60s he became more interested in R&B acts like James Brown and Otis Redding than in the British Invasion bands.
Then in 1970, Gordon moved to New York City and joined the Tuff Darts, a punk band that established themselves at CBGB. in 1976, they recorded several songs, including “All for the Love of Rock and Roll,” “Head Over Heels” and “Slash” featured in a compilation album that was titled Live at CBGB’s that featured local bands.
He managed to hit the Hot 100 twice in his career first with his cover of “Red Hot” that hit number 83 in 1977 and Marshall Crenshaw’s “Someday, Someway” in 1981 that hit number 76. He went on to release three more albums for RCA: 1979’s Rock Billy Boogie, 1980’s Bad Boy and 1981’s Are You Gonna Be the One. Between the years of 1994 and 2020 he released six additional rockabilly and blues based records. He also toured globally with Sex Pistols’ Glen Matlock, Kiss and Bob Dylan. Gordon’s final album, Hellafied, is scheduled for release on Nov. 25.
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