Bobby Helms was a rockabilly singer who rose to fame in the 1950s with his hit songs “Fraulein”, “My Special Angel” and “Jingle Bell Rock”. He was one of the pioneers of the genre, blending country, pop and rock and roll influences. He had a long and successful career, touring and recording for over three decades. But how did he die? What was the cause of his death? In this article, we will explore the life and death of Bobby Helms, and pay tribute to his legacy.
Early Life and Career
Bobby Helms was born Robert Lee Helms on August 15, 1933, in Bloomington, Indiana. He came from a musical family, and began performing as a duo with his brother Freddie, who played guitar. They were known as “The Helms Brothers”, and became a regional attraction in Indiana. They appeared on a local TV show called “Hayloft Frolic”, and gained some exposure.
In 1956, Helms moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he signed a recording contract with Decca Records. He soon achieved his first major success with the song “Fraulein”, which topped the country music chart and reached the Top 40 on the pop chart in 1957. The song was a love ballad about a German girl, and was popular among American soldiers stationed in Germany.
Later that year, he released another hit song, “My Special Angel”, which also reached No. 1 on the country chart and No. 7 on the pop chart. The song was a romantic tune with a lush orchestral arrangement, and was covered by many artists over the years.
But his most famous song was yet to come. In the late fall of 1957, he recorded “Jingle Bell Rock”, a festive rockabilly song that became a Christmas classic. The song was produced by Paul Cohen, and featured a catchy guitar riff and a swinging rhythm. The song was a huge hit, and was played and danced to on Dick Clark’s TV show “American Bandstand” by mid-December of that year. The song also re-emerged in four out of the next five years, and sold so well that it repeated each time as a top hit. It took five years for the song to become a second million-seller for Helms. It reached No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 21 weeks on the chart. The song is still one of the most played Christmas songs on radio today.
Later Years and Death
Helms continued to tour and record for the next three decades, although he never matched the success of his 1957 hits. He released several albums and singles, mostly in the country genre, but also experimented with pop and rockabilly styles. He had some minor hits, such as “Schoolboy Crush”, which was a hit in the UK in 1958, and “Jacqueline”, which reached No. 15 on the country chart in 1960.
He also made some appearances on TV shows and movies, such as “The Ed Sullivan Show”, “The Beverly Hillbillies” and “Carnival Rock”. He received several awards and honors for his contribution to music, such as six gold records, a Grammy nomination, and induction into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Helms suffered from several health problems in his later years, such as emphysema, asthma, diabetes and stomach issues. He also lost sight in his right eye, and began wearing an eye patch. He spent most of his later years living just outside Martinsville, Indiana, where he had a farm.
He died on June 19, 1997, at the age of 63, from complications from emphysema and asthma. He was survived by his wife Rita Jane Long, whom he married in 1979, and his four children from previous marriages.
Legacy
Bobby Helms is remembered as one of the pioneers of rockabilly music, who influenced many artists in various genres. His songs are still popular today, especially “Jingle Bell Rock”, which is considered a Christmas staple. His songs have been covered by many artists over the years, such as Elvis Presley, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, George Strait, Blake Shelton and more.
He is also regarded as one of the first crossover artists who bridged the gap between country and pop music. He had a distinctive voice and style that appealed to both audiences. He was one of the first country artists to use orchestral arrangements in his songs.
He is also respected for his longevity and perseverance in the music industry. He never gave up on his passion, and continued to perform and record until his death. He once said, “I didn’t want to do the song when they first brought it to me, but now I’m sure glad I did.”
Bobby Helms was a rockabilly legend who left a lasting mark on music history. He will always be remembered for his songs, his voice and his spirit.
