BOBBY FULLER FOUR MUSIC LIBRARY
THE MUSICIANS & SONGWRITERS
Robert Gaston Fuller
About Bobby Fuller
Bobby was born on October 22nd, 1942 in Goose Creek, Texas. His family resided for a time in Salt Lake City, Utah before returning to Texas, ending up in El Paso. Fuller would become impressed with Elvis and loved Buddy Holly, he would soon adopt the style of Buddy Holly’s Crickets.
His band included his younger brother Randy Fuller and a revolving lineup as they played around El Paso. His first band was called “The Embers” and included his brother Randy. They recorded for the first time in the Fuller’s living room with a homemade set up. Other bands were so impressed with the sound that the Fullers obtained from their equipment that they would also record at the Fuller household.
Fuller would travel to Clovis, New Mexico and record a couple of tracks in the Norman Petty Studio: “Gently My Love” & “My Love Jumped”. He would record a hand-full of singles before heading off to California forming the Bobby Fuller Four.
Early Life
As mentioned above, Robert Gaston Fuller was born October 22, 1942, in Goose Creek, Texas, to Lawson and Eva Lorraine Fuller.
Fuller moved as a small child to Salt Lake City, Utah, where he remained until 1956, when he and his family moved to El Paso, Texas.
His father got a job at El Paso Natural Gas at that time. It was the same year that Elvis Presley became popular, and shortly became a huge Buddy Holly fan. Bobby Fuller became mesmerized by the new rock and roll stars and soon adopted the style of fellow Texan Buddy Holly, fronting a four-man combo and often using original material.
Above: Little Bobby playing the Piano
Below: Bobby and Randy
Below: Baby Randy and Bobby
During the early 1960s, he played in clubs and bars in El Paso, and he recorded on independent record labels in Texas with a constantly changing line-up. The only constant band members were Fuller and his younger brother, Randy Fuller (born on January 29, 1944, in Hobbs, New Mexico) on bass. These independent releases (except two songs recorded at the studio of Norman Petty in Clovis), and an excursion to Yucca Records, also in New Mexico, were recorded in the Fullers' own home studio, with Fuller acting as the producer. He even built a primitive echo chamber in the backyard. The quality of the recordings, using a couple of microphones and a mixing board purchased from a local radio station, was so impressive that he offered the use of his "studio" to local acts for free so he could hone his production skills.
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Randy and Bobby
Phil Spector with Randy, Bobby, and DeWayne performing at 'La Cave Pigalle',
The Ambassador
Hotel, L. A.
The Bobby Fuller Four
The Bobby Fuller Four (sometimes stylized as Bobby Fuller 4) was a popular mid-1960s American rock and roll band started by Bobby Fuller. First formed in 1962 in Fuller's hometown of El Paso, Texas, the group went on to produce some of its most memorable hits under the Mustang Records label in Hollywood, California. The band's most successful songs include "Let Her Dance", "I Fought the Law" and "Love's Made a Fool of You".
Fuller recorded his first single, "You're in Love", in 1961. Recorded in his parents' living room with The Embers, a local band he played in, it became a regional hit. Fuller started a new band in 1962, backed by his brother Randy on bass and Gaylord Grimes on drums. They had their single, "Gently My Love", professionally recorded at Norman Petty Recording Studios in Clovis, New Mexico. Although they achieved another regional hit, Fuller was not satisfied.
Disengaging from Yucca Records in Alamogordo, which had released his first two records, Fuller and his band began releasing their records through Fuller's own various independent labels, with the recordings done in Fuller's home recording studio. The group never had a definite name and recordings were credited to either "Bobby Fuller", or "Bobby Fuller and the Fanatics". Various additional members played in the band, the most significant being Jim Reese (formerly of the Embers) on guitar, and Dalton Powell (who had played piano for the Embers) on drums.
By 1963, the band pursued a record deal with a major label in Hollywood, California. While they were neglected by most labels, Bob Keane of Del-Fi Records showed particular interest in the group. While he saw potential, he didn't think the band had hit material yet. Fuller and his band returned to El Paso and continued to release regional hits, the most popular being "I Fought the Law", originally by the Crickets. By the end of 1964, Fuller saw branching out to a major label as their only option, thus Bobby Fuller, Randy Fuller, and Jim Reese prepared to move to California to revisit Del-Fi Records. Current drummer Dalton Powell could not make the move due to family commitments and was replaced by another drummer, DeWayne Quirico, instructed by Fuller in person.
The band appeared as "themselves" in the 1966 film "The Ghost in the Invisible Bikini"—a comedy combining the ubiquitous beach, horror, and biker themes of the day. They back Nancy Sinatra on the song "Geronimo" and perform "Make The Music Pretty" and other incidental music.
Del-Fi Records
With the group's new hit records, Keane signed them to Del-Fi this time around. The band's first Del-Fi release, "Those Memories of You" was under the sister label, Donna Records (credited to Bobby Fuller and the Fanatics). With the band's increasing local popularity, Keane created a sister label just for Fuller's band, Mustang Records. The first release on Mustang was "Thunder Reef" in 1965. This time, the band was credited as The Shindigs to capitalize on the new ABC show, Shindig! Seeking a more permanent name, Keane decided upon The Bobby Fuller Four (as he favored Fuller), which was first used on the band's next single, "Take My Word". The new name received mixed reactions with the rest of the group, claiming that it put too much emphasis on Fuller, as opposed to the rest of the band, but the name stuck.
Del-Fi Records
Bobby Fuller Four Live at PJ's
2011-2014
While their next release, "Never to be Forgotten", brought a regional hit, the band's other single, "Let Her Dance", brought the band's first national hit, barely missing the Billboard Hot 100 at 133, though bringing in a Top 40 hit. At the suggestion of Randy Fuller, the El Paso hit, "I Fought the Law" was re-recorded. It quickly gained national popularity, and by 1966, it rose to its peak position at No. 9 on the national charts. Meanwhile, the band was starting to experience internal troubles after touring, and drummer DeWayne Quirico abruptly left the group. John Barbata was asked to take his place, while negotiations were underway to get Dalton Powell back in the band. While performing at L.A. venue "P.J." the band produced a memorable performance of "I Fought the Law" featuring the go-go dancer Lada St. Edmund on the NBC television show Hullaballoo, and also participated in another TV show, Shivaree.
With Powell reinstated, the group went on to release "Love's Made a Fool of You", another Crickets cover (written by Buddy Holly and Bob Montgomery and recorded by Holly as a demo, reportedly intended for the Everly Brothers, though never recorded by that duo). This went on to become another national hit for the band. The next single was taken from the sessions where Barbata sat in, "The Magic Touch". While being popular locally, it did not match the success of the previous singles. In addition to the already existing internal problems, the band began to fall apart in July after Reese had received a draft notice in the mail (and arranged to sell his Jaguar XKE to Fuller), Powell also planned to announce his plans to leave the band to support his family back home.
Bob Keane/Keene
The Tragic Aftermath
In the early morning of July 18th, 1966, Bobby received a phone call around 1 In the morning and shortly left after that, wearing slippers, and took his mothers Blue Oldsmobile. This was the last time the Fuller family would hear him alive as they only heard Bobby leave and not seeing him.
After leaving the apartment, Bobby had supposedly run into the building manager and had a couple of beers with him. The building manager, Lloyd, reported that he was in 'Good Spirits' before seeing him leave for the last time alive...
Later that morning at 7 AM, Bobbys mother, Lorraine (Who was staying with them in their Hollywood apartment) woke up Rick Stone, the bands' road manager, and was worried because Bobby hadn't returned home since last night. He and the band were due to have a meeting at 9 AM that morning on what was going to happen next with the band with producer Bob Keene, but Bobby never did show up. They then later scheduled another meeting later that day. But still no signs of Bobby yet.
Lorraine, Bobby, and Randy. Home Videos.
Bobby with his mother's Blue Oldsmobile that he would be later found dead in. 1966.
Lorraine was constantly going in and out of the apartment to see if her son and her Blue Oldsmobile had returned yet, it wasn't until 5PM when Lorraine went to check the mail, even though she had just checked it 30 minutes prior. She checked once again for Bobby and the car, to her surprise, it had returned.
She went to the car and opened the driver's side door and it hit her, the smell of gasoline was so overpowering, but what she saw next made her world crumble...she saw her 23-year-old son, dead, lying on the front seat. No signs of life whatsoever... She then saw A Half-filled Gas can with a nozzle sitting on the passenger side floor next to Bobby.
Lorraine picked up that Bobby was completely doused with gasoline from head to toe, stiff as a statue, due to Riggor Mortis setting in hours prior. Lorraine then called 911 and they soon arrived. One of the officers took the gas can that was in the Blue Oldsmobile and Threw it away, yes, THREW AWAY! Without taking any fingerprints or for investigations. So that begs the question, How does a dead person drive a car to the apartments? Why did the officer throw away evidence? So many questions left unanswered after 50+ years. If you're a fan of the Bobby Fuller Four or knew Bobby personally, then we all can agree it was NOT suicide but murder. Bobby Fuller was murdered! In my opinion anyways.
Although Bobby might be gone, he and his music will always live in our hearts... NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN!
After the death of Bobby, the band abruptly disbanded. The group's final single, "It's Love, Come What May" was only released in limited quantities as a promotional recording. Months later, Keane arranged the formation of the Randy Fuller Four in an attempt to capitalize on the previous success of the Bobby Fuller Four, complete with Randy Fuller on bass and rhythm guitar, DeWayne Quirico returning on drums, and Mike Ciccarelli and Howard Steele (other former El Paso musicians) on lead guitar and bass, respectively. The group released a few singles (including overdubbing the Bobby Fuller Four's "It's Love, Come What May"), but disbanded less than a year later in 1967 without any chart success.
Most former members of the Bobby Fuller Four remained active in the music industry after the group disbanded. Jim Reese died in 1991 after suffering a fatal heart attack whilst playing a round of golf.
Bobby has been the subject of 2 books: " I Fought The Law: The Life and Strange Death of Bobby Fuller" by Miriam Linna & Randell Fuller (2015); and "Rock & Roll Mustangs" by Stephen J. McParland (2009 and with a updated edition released in 2021).
Bobby Fuller (Four) Music/Discography
Say Honey: (Say Sweetheart) "Bobbys First 45 Session!"
Date Unknown: Maybe 1961
You're In Love: (First Version)
Date: November 1961
Guess We'll Fall In Love: (First Version)
Date: November 1961
You're In Love: (Second Version)
Date: February 1962
Guess We'll Fall In Love:
(Second Version)
Date: February 1962
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Gently My Love:
Date: May 1962
Recorded at Norman Petty's
Recording Studio
Lineup:
Bobby - Vocals & Guitar
Randy - Bass
Vi Petty - Piano & Backing Vocals
My Heart Jumped:
Date: May 1962
Recorded at Norman Petty's
Recording Studio
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Nervous Breakdown:
Date: July 1962
Not Fade Away:
Date: July 1962
Nervous Breakdown:
(Live)
Nervous Breakdown:
#2
Saturday Night:
(Alternate Take 1)
Date: October 1963
Stringer:
(Alternate Take)
Stringer:
Date: October 1963
Wine, Wine, Wine:
Date: January 1964
Wine, Wine, Wine
(LIVE)
King Of the Beach:
Date: January 1964
She's My Girl:
Date: February 1964
I Fought the Law:
(1964 El Paso Demo)
Bobby Fuller and the Fanatics
Shakedown:
Date: August 1964
Fool Of Love:
Date: August 1964
Those Memories Of You:
Date: December 1964
Our Favorite Martian:
Date: December 1964
Shindigs:
Wolfman
Date: December 1964
Thunder Reef
Date: December 1964
Bobby Fullers Guitars!
Bobby Fuller Four
Take My Word:
Date: February 1965
She's My Girl:
Date: February 1965
Let Her Dance:
Date: June 1965
Bobby Fuller Four - Let Her Dance (Music Video by Noah Johnson)
The Bobby Fuller Four on
"Where The Action Is"
Let Her Dance!
The Bobby Fuller Four on
"Shivaree"
Let Her Dance!
Another Sad and Lonely Night:
Date: June 1965
The Bobby Fuller Four on
'Shivaree' performing
"Let Her Dance" & "Another Sad and Lonely Night"
Randy and Bobby Rockin it!
Never To Be Forgotten:
Date: September 1965
The Bobby Fuller Four on
'Shivaree' performing
"Never To Be Forgotten"
The Bobby Fuller Four on
'Hollywood A Go-Go' performing
"Never To Be Forgotten"
The Bobby Fuller Four on
'Shivaree' performing
"Never To Be Forgotten"
