Record: "Tootsie Roll"; Bobby Martin. Valid Records 1003; 45 rpm. N.d., ca. late 1950s.
Entry/Object ID
2010.007.0454
Description
Bobby Martin. "Tootsie Roll ." 7" 45 rpm single phonographic recording. Valid Records 1003; location unknown, no date, circa late 1950s. Previous owners' names on label, both sides. Audio file (MP3) on file for B side.
While not made in Hoboken, the title refers to a product that was manufactured in Hoboken at that time, Tootsie Rolls, by the Sweets Corporation of America. There was no connection with the musical artists and the Sweets Company.
Tootsie roll was a du-wop / rhythm & blues type song for dance. It was the B side (TM 0471-B) and ran 2:00. This song and the A side title (NIght and Day - Day and Night; unknown if related in any way to Cole Porter song; not listened to) are both credited to R. Willingham. Willingham was Robert Willingham who adopted Bobby Martin as his performance name and subsequently used it for the rest of his career. Born in 1940, he is known to have been with group called Bobby Brown and The Tune Twisters and later organized the Martinques. Although this record has him credited as a solo artist, there are back-up singers. It is a very early release in his career.
The record label is obscure and nothing has been found about it. It may have been either from Philadelphia or Detroit as Martin (Willingham) had early connections to both cities and spent most of his career involved in the Detroit music scene. See notes.
Acquisition
Accession
2010.007
Source or Donor
Lukacs, Claire
Acquisition Method
Gift
Credit Line
Museum Collections. Gift of a friend of the Museum.
Made/Created
Date made
1957 - 1959
Notes
Date: 1957-1959
Condition
Overall Condition
Fair
General Notes
Note
Notes: Bobby Martin, 61, of a heart attack, Aug. 28, 2001, in Detroit. Martin, who was born Robert Willingham, formed the Martiniques in 1962 and recorded with the group under the Dreamland label. He was later known for his work as a booking agent. Martin is survived by his wife, Sherri, who was a Motown recording artist.
Status: OK
Status By: dw
Status Date: 2010-11-23
