Bobby Russell

Bobby Russell (April 19, 1940 – November 19, 1992) was an American singer and songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, he had five singles on the Hot Country Songs charts, including the crossover pop hit "Saturday Morning Confusion." Russell was married to singer and actress Vicki Lawrence from 1972 to 1974.

For other people named Bobby Russell, see Bobby Russell (disambiguation).
Bobby Russell
Born(1940-04-19)April 19, 1940[1]
Nashville, Tennessee, United States
DiedNovember 19, 1992(1992-11-19) (aged 52)[1]
Nicholasville, Kentucky, United States
GenresCountry, pop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1966–1973
LabelsElf, United Artists
Associated actsVicki Lawrence

Career

Russell wrote hits over several genres. His most notable songs were "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia", his critique of country justice (a No. 1 hit for his then-wife Vicki Lawrence);[1] "Used to Be" (from the 1970 film The Grasshopper); and "Little Green Apples", which won a Song of the Year Grammy Award in 1968. "Little Green Apples" was a hit for O.C. Smith in the US and covered by Roger Miller in the U.K. The song was a particular favorite of Frank Sinatra. Russell wrote the song "Honey", which was a hit for Bobby Goldsboro in 1968, spending five weeks at the top of the Billboard Pop Singles Chart.

Russell wrote the ballad "Do You Know Who I Am", which was recorded by Elvis Presley during his 1969 Memphis sessions. Russell penned "The Joker Went Wild", a Billboard Top 40 hit for Brian Hyland in 1966. Russell also wrote "Anabell of Mobile" for Nancy Sinatra. The Russell composition "Camp Werthahekahwee", an ode to summer camps sung by a father to his son, appeared on a 1986 album by Ray Stevens. The name of the camp is pronounced "where the heck are we?"

As a performer

As a singer, Russell's biggest chart success was his self-penned "Saturday Morning Confusion", a top 25 country hit and No. 28 pop hit in the early fall of 1971. The song was a first-person account of a family man suffering from a hangover and trying to find peace and quiet to sleep it off, but constantly being henpecked by the kids, wife and neighbors.

Other songs that Russell recorded were "1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero", "For a While We Helped Each Other Out", "Our Love Will Rise Again", "How You Gonna Stand It", and "Mid American Manufacturing Tycoon". He also wrote and recorded "Summer Sweet" for the Disney live-action Rascal in 1969 and wrote and sang the title song "As Far as I'm Concerned" over the opening credits of The Grasshopper.

Death

Russell died in Nicholasville, Kentucky of coronary artery disease on November 19, 1992. He was 52 years old.[1]

Discography

Albums
Year Album Chart Positions Label
US Country US
1968 Words, Music, Laughter and Tears — — Elf
1969 Bobby Russell Unlimited — — Elf
1971 Saturday Morning Confusion 44 183 United Artists

Singles
Year Single Chart Positions Album
US Country US US AC AUS[2] CAN CAN Country CAN AC
1966 "Friends and Mirrors" — — — — 22 — — single only
1967 "Dusty" — — — — — — — Words, Music, Laughter and Tears
1968 "1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero" 64 36 9 — 35 — —
1969 "Carlie" 66 115 — — — — — single only
"Then She's a Lover" — — — — — — — Bobby Russell Unlimited
"Better Homes and Gardens" 34 — 31 — — — —
"Our Love Will Rise Again" — — — 64 — — —
1971 "Saturday Morning Confusion" 24 28 13 52 27 13 14 Saturday Morning Confusion
1973 "Mid American Manufacturing Tycoon" 93 — — 82 — — — singles only
1974 "I Wouldn't Have It Any Other Way" — — — — — — —
"Go Chase Your Rainbow" — — — 25 — — —

References
  1. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 365. ISBN 0-89820-177-2.
  2. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 262. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
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