When I found this 45 by Bob London and the Bobbies, I thought it might be Robb London, who came out of San Antonio with his band, the Rogues. A quick listen tells me it’s someone else, plus the names on the credits are different, suggesting this singer’s real name is Robert Vinson.
He seems to be trying to fake a London connection, but “Times In My Life” / “Don’t Know Where To Start” are both light folk-rock songs and not English-sounding at all. Of the two, I prefer “Times In My Life”. Unfortunately my copy is badly scuffed, so I’m looking for a better one.
Both sides were written by R. Vinson for Ernstrat Music BMI, and arranged by G. Brown and Vinson, a Theo-Sax Production. The 45 was pressed at RCA’s plant in Indianapolis in 1966.
The only reference to a Bob London I can find is a DJ at K-CUB in Tucson. However, a more likely location is Detroit, where Ernie Stratton owned a publishing company called Ernstrat Enterprises, with the same account number (927) as this 45.
Stratton usually recorded soul music, but occasionally did other styles, even country. He released singles on a wide variety of labels. Tommy & the Starlighters “So Long Motor City” on Meadowlark and the Royal Playboys “Arabia” / “Bring It Back” on DoDe both have Ernstrat credits on at least one side.
Lol “Bob London and the Bobbies”!
thank you i wrote you once befor but never heard back from anyone i’m
R vinson reggie vinson i was signed to Ernie’s label in detroit…i used the name when bob johnson in new york trying to get his label to sign to a major columbia records but no luck …today im still recording ive recorded with john Lennon Etta james Alice cooper and have 19 awards i live in phx az
hey reggie,
Hi Reg,
I really dig the tracks you recorded with the coop on
muscle of love.
Isn’t it kind of strange that this Bob London ‘Gee-Bee’ label
title coincidentally later became a nickname that you
bestowed upon Alice Cooper guitarist Glenn Buxton (g.b.)
who was quite a good pal of yours I hear.
tm c
this was me 50 years ago im still at it