Though best known as the guy who sang the teenpop novelty hit, "Jinglebell Rock," Bobby Helms (1933-1997) has a solid background in country music, although he crossed over into the pop-vocals market early in his career. Born in Indiana, Helms hit Nashville in the late 'Fifties, scoring major hits with "Fraulein" and the sappy, chart-topping ballad, "My Special Angel," which thrust him into the pop charts. Helms became something of a teen idol when he cut "Jinglebell Rock" in 1957 and was spotlighted on American Bandstand. With its seasonal theme, "Jinglebell Rock" proved to be a perpetual cash-cow, with annual revivals that reinserted Helms into the charts for several years, including various reissues and re-recordings. Bobby Helms continued to have modest success as a country artist through the 1960s, but steadily faded off the charts even though he continues to tour and record well into the 'Eighties. In his later years he wore and eye patch as the result of childhood damage to his cornea that he ignored for many years. Helms eventually moved back to rural Indiana, living not far from where he was born, and passed away at age 63 from complications of emphysema.
Bobby Helms "...Sings To My Special Angel" (Decca Records, 1957) (LP)
Bobby Helms "Bobby Helms" (Vocalion Records, 1965) (LP)
Bobby Helms "Sorry My Name Isn't Fred... It's Bobby Helms" (Kapp Records, 1966) (LP)
Bobby Helms "I'm The Man" (Kapp Records, 1966) (LP)
Bobby Helms "...Sings Fraulein" (Columbia Harmony, 1967) (LP)
Bobby Helms "All New Just For You" (Little Darlin' Records, 1968) (LP)
Bobby Helms "Before Your Heartaches Begin" (Little Darlin' Records, 1970) (LP)
Bobby Helms "Jingle Bell Rock" (Certron Records, 1970) (LP)
Bobby Helms "Greatest Performance" (Certron Records, 1970) (LP)
Bobby Helms "My Special Angel" (Little Darlin' Records, 1979) (LP)
Bobby Helms "...Sings The Mother-In-Law Blues" (BC Records, 19--?) (LP)
Bobby Helms "My Special Album" (Blue Diamond Records, 1981) (LP)
(Produced by Kermith G. Mullins, Troy Mendenall & Richard Rosebrough)
I have to confess I have a fascination with late-life albums recorded by former chart-topping stars. Bobby Helms' time in the sun was brief but memorable -- he catapulted to fame in 1957 with a string of chart-topping hits, including tunes that are reprised here. Helms revisits "Fraulein" and "My Special Angel," though perhaps wisely leaves well enough alone when it comes to "Jingle Bell Rock." On the album cover, Helms is wearing the eye patch he donned starting in the 'Seventies, the result of childhood damage to his cornea that he ignored for many years. Alas, the musicians on this album aren't listed, though it looks like he recorded the set at the Sun Studios in Memphis.
Bobby Helms "This Song's For You" (Playback Records, 1989-?) (LP)
Bobby Helms/Johnny Paycheck "A Little Darlin' Christmas" (Koch/Little Darlin' Records, 2005)
A modestly talented singer who hit it big in the teenpop market with his 1957 holiday hit, "Jinglebell Rock," Bobby Helms soon coasted into near-obscurity, remembered only in oldies hell. This disc reissues a 1967 Christmas album that Helms cut years later, for the scrappy Little Darlin' label, and while it's clear his glory years were well behind him, there's actually something quite compelling about this holiday set, where the now-grizzled crooner sings with greater resonance and grit than he did when he was a kid. It includes one of several remakes of "Jinglebell Rock," as well as a number of yuletide standards -- "Silver Bells," "Jingle Bells," "Here Comes Santa Claus," etc. Dunno why, but I kinda liked it. This CD reissue also includes a couple of Christmas singles that labelmate Johnny Paycheck -- one of Little Darlin's premiere artists -- recorded around the same time. These songs are kinda randomly tacked on, though if you were inclined to like Helms' album, you'll be glad thePaycheck tunes are on there as well. Worth checking out, if you like Christmas tunes.
