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Bobby Sherman, ’60s teen idol from music and TV, dies at 81

BBG News

81-year-old Bobby Sherman, a singer and actor known for his youthful charm and modest yet endearing singing voice, which earned him teen heartthrob status in both the television and music industries during the late 60s and early 70s, has passed away.

It was confirmed on Tuesday that he had passed away, as shared by his wife Brigitte Poublon Sherman through a post on friend John Stamos’ social media platform.

With deep sorrow, I announce the passing of my cherished husband, Bobby Sherman,” she penned down. “Bobby departed from us with my hand in his – a testament to the love, bravery, and unwavering elegance he embodied throughout our 29 blissful years of marriage. To me, he was Cinderella’s prince charming, and I was his. Despite his final struggles, he remained resilient for my sake. Bobby was a man of courage, kindness, and radiance.

No cause of death was given, nor was a specific date of death.

A charming heartthrob from Southern California with shaggy hair, Sherman managed to place four songs in Billboard’s Top 10 of the Hot 100 within a year, starting with “Little Woman” which peaked at No. 3 in October 1969; followed by “La La La (If I Had You)” that reached No. 9 in January 1970, “Easy Come, Easy Go” which attained the same position three months later, and “Julie, Do Ya Love Me,” which hit No. 5 in September 1970. The upbeat, memorable melodies – all becoming gold records – significantly contributed to the bubblegum pop genre that was also associated with The Archies, Tommy Roe, and The Ohio Express.

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Simultaneously climbing the music charts, Sherman also appeared on ABC’s “Here Come the Brides,” a western comedy series set post-Civil War. In this show, he portrayed one of the proprietors of a logging business, seeking romantic interests for the company’s lumberjacks. This diverse media presence captured the hearts of teenagers of the time, who eagerly spent their pocket money on T-shirts, lunchboxes, and magazines displaying the likeness of Bubblegum Bobby, his nickname during that period.

He mentioned in an interview with The Times back in 1989 that his die-hard fans would have accepted him singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’, such was their devotion. His audience at the time was extremely receptive and malleable, they would purchase anything linked to Bobby Sherman.

Robert Cabot Sherman Jr., born on July 22, 1943, in Santa Monica, spent his childhood in Van Nuys. There, he honed his football skills at Birmingham High School. During his sophomore year at Pierce College, Sherman attended a party in Hollywood that celebrated the release of “The Greatest Story Ever Told” in 1965. At this gathering, he sang with a group that included former high school mates; notable attendees included Natalie Wood, Sal Mineo, and Jane Fonda. Their admiration paved the way for Sherman to secure a singing role on the television variety show “Shindig!”.

Music

Back in March of ’75, I was just a kid with a cassette player and dreams in my eyes. But even then, the soulful sounds of Earth, Wind & Fire’s “That’s the Way of the World” resonated deeply. This classic R&B album, released by the veterans they were, still holds significant relevance today. Let me tell you why.

In 1967, Sherman briefly starred on the show “The Monkees,” portraying Frankie Catalina, a character reminiscent of the genuine Frankie Avalon. Later, in 1971, he made an appearance on “The Partridge Family” that ultimately led to a brief spin-off series titled “Getting Together.” In this spin-off, Sherman played a songwriter.

Sherman’s music career experienced a swift decline, mirroring its initial surge. His final single on the Hot 100, “Together Again,” peaked at number 91 in February 1972. He admitted to The Times that this outcome was predictable due to the market being oversaturated with bubblegum music. Afterward, he pursued acting roles in shows such as “The Mod Squad” and “The Love Boat.” However, he found a new purpose in the 1980s and ’90s by dedicating himself to public service. He served as a volunteer paramedic and taught first aid to recruits at the Los Angeles Police Department Academy. Eventually, Sherman became a technical reserve officer for the LAPD and a reserve deputy sheriff for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

In 1996, he released his memoir titled “Still Remembering You,” and in 1998, he embarked on a tour alongside Peter Noone from Herman’s Hermits and Davy Jones of the Monkees.

In 1993, Sherman shared with The Times his experience from a recent ride-along with fire department medics during an emergency call in Northridge. He described, “We were dealing with a woman who was bleeding excessively and had fainted.” Sherman added, “Her husband kept looking at me. Eventually he exclaimed, ‘Hey, it’s Bobby Sherman!'” The woman regained consciousness, according to Sherman, and said, “Oh dear, I must look terrible!” To which he reassured her, stating that she didn’t appear disheveled at all.

On Tuesday, Brigitte, Bobby’s wife, shared that while he was taking a break, she went through letters from fans across the globe, filled with expressions of love and appreciation. These messages served to brighten his mood and underscored how much he was admired. Bobby seemed to absorb each word with his characteristic twinkle in his eye. Moreover, even during his rest period, he managed to slip in some well-placed humor – a testament to Bobby’s enduring, mischievous sense of wit. His humor had an uncanny ability to illuminate any room, whether through a glance, a joke, or one of his signature one-liners.

She remarked, “He embodied honesty, generously shared what he had, and poured all of his affection into everything he did. Although our family mourns him deeply, we are also touched by the echoes of his presence – his voice, his laughter, his music, and his purpose. A heartfelt gratitude to each one of you who joined in song with him, who penned letters expressing your admiration, or simply sent warmth his way. He could feel it.

In addition to his wife, Sherman is survived by sons Tyler and Christopher and six grandchildren.

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2025-06-24 21:32

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