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Bobby Helms
Bobby Helms
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Robert Lee Helms (August 15, 1933 – June 19, 1997) was an American country singer and musician. In 1957, he had a perennial Christmas hit with "Jingle Bell Rock", and two other hits that same year: "Fraulein" and "My Special Angel".

Life and career

[edit]

Robert Lee Helms was born on August 15, 1933, in Bloomington, Indiana (some sources say nearby Helmsburg), the son of Hildreth Esther (née Abram) and Fred Robert Helms.[3][4] His family was musical. Helms began performing as a duo with his brother, Freddie, before going on to a successful solo career in country music. In 1956, Helms made his way to Nashville, Tennessee, where he signed a recording contract with Decca Records, and achieved multiple successes the following year. His first single in 1957, titled "Fraulein", went to number one on the country music chart and made it into the top 40 on the Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart. Later that same year, he released "My Special Angel", which also hit number one on the country charts and entered the top 10 on Billboard's pop music chart, peaking at number seven. It sold over one million copies, earning a gold disc.[5]

His song "Jingle Bell Rock", which was released in the late fall of 1957, produced by Paul Cohen[6] was a big hit[7] and was being played and danced to on Dick Clark's teen dance show American Bandstand by mid-December of that year. It also re-emerged in four out of the next five years, and sold so well that it repeated each time as a top hit, becoming a Christmas classic still played today. (In 2016, it was rated radio's third-most-played Christmas song, according to StationIntel).[8] It took five years for the song to become a second million-seller for Helms.[9] It reached number six on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 21 weeks on the chart.[9] The record gained gold disc status.[9] At the end of a television performance of the song toward the end of his life, Helms said, "I didn't want to do the song when they first brought it to me, but now I'm sure glad I did."[10][better source needed] ASCAP and AllMusic list the writers of the song as Joseph Beal, Joseph Carlton, James Ross, and James Boothe.

Another record by Helms was "Schoolboy Crush", which was a hit in the UK. It was released in the United States on June 23, 1958, on Decca. The same song was then covered by UK teen star Cliff Richard about the same time as the UK release.

Helms continued touring and recording for the next three decades. His pioneering contributions to the genre have been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Helms suffered from emphysema, asthma, diabetes, and stomach problems. He began wearing an eye patch after losing sight in his right eye. He was a longtime resident of Martinsville, Indiana, until his death from complications from emphysema at the age of 63 on June 19, 1997.[11]

He was portrayed by Brad Hawkins in the 2007 film Crazy.

Discography

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Selected albums

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  • Sings to My Special Angel (Decca, 1957)
  • I'm the Man (Kapp, 1966)
  • Sorry My Name Isn't Fred (Kapp, 1966)
  • All New Just for You (Little Darlin', 1968)
  • Pop-a-Billy (MCA, 1983)
  • A Bobby Helms Christmas [EP] (Geffen, 2024)

Singles

[edit]
List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Single Peak chart positions Album
US Country
[12]
US
[13]
US AC
[14]
UK
[15][16]
1955 "Yesterday's Lovin'" non-album track
"Freedom Lovin' Guy"
1956 "Tennessee Rock and Roll"
1957 "Fraulein" 1 36
"My Special Angel" 1 7 22 My Special Angel
"Jingle Bell Rock" 13 3 5 single only
1958 "Just a Little Lonesome" 10 My Special Angel
"Jacqueline" 5 63 20 non-album track
"Borrowed Dreams" 60
"Jingle Bell Rock" 6
"The Fool and the Angel" 75
1959 "New River Train" 26
"I Guess I'll Miss the Prom"
"No Other Baby" 30
"Hurry Baby"
1960 "Someone Was Already There"
"I Want to Be with You"
"Lonely River Rhine" 16
"Jingle Bell Rock" (re-entry) 36
1961 "Sad Eyed Baby"
"How Can You Divide a Little Child"
"Jingle Bell Rock" (re-entry) 41
1962 "One Deep Love"
"Then Came You"
"Jingle Bell Rock" (re-entry) 56
1964 "It's a Girl"
1967 "He Thought He'd Die Laughing" 46 All New Just for You
1968 "The Day You Stop Loving Me" 60
"I Feel You, I Love You" 53 single only
"Touch My Heart" All New Just for You
1969 "My Special Angel" Before Your Heartaches Begin
"So Long" 43
"Echoes and Shadows"
1970 "Mary Goes 'Round" 41 Greatest Performance
"Magnificent Sanctuary Band" non-album track
"Just Hold My Hand and Sing"
1971 "He Gives Us His Love"
"Hand in Hand with Love"
1972 "It's the Little Things"
"It's Starting to Rain Again"
1974 "That Heart Belongs to Me"
"Work Things Out with Annie"
1975 "Baby If I Could Make It Better"
1976 "Every Man Must Have a Dream"
"You"
1977 "Before My Heartaches Came"
1978 "I'm Gonna Love the Devil Out of You"
"I'm Not Sorry"
1979 "One More Dollar for the Band"
1983 "Tears Ago"
"I'm Drinking It Over (With My Friend Jim Beam)"
1985 "I Wish I Could Say I Find"
1986 "I'm the Man"
1987 "Dance with Me"
"Somebody Wrong Is Lookin' Right"
1996 "Jingle Bell Rock" (re-release) 60 18 Jingle All the Way (soundtrack)
2018/
2019
"Jingle Bell Rock" (re-entry)[17] 3
[18]
30
2020/
2021
"Jingle Bell Rock" (re-entry)[17] 26

See also

[edit]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Robert Lee Helms (August 15, 1933 – June 19, 1997), professionally known as Bobby Helms, was an American and rockabilly singer renowned for his smooth voice and 1950s hits that blended traditional with emerging rock influences. Born in , to a musical family, Helms began performing as a child on local radio and television, including appearances on the Hayloft Frolic show with his brother Freddy as the duo The Helms Brothers. He launched a solo career in the mid- after providing background vocals for , signing with and achieving rapid success with chart-topping singles. Helms' breakthrough came in 1957 with Fraulein, which reached number one for four weeks on the country charts and charted for 52 weeks, followed by the pop-crossover hit , also topping the country charts and earning a gold disc. That same year, he recorded featuring guitar by , a novelty tune that peaked at number six on the pop charts and became a perennial holiday staple, re-entering charts annually through the early . His debut on the Grand Ole Opry at age 17 marked an early milestone, though he never became a regular member, and he continued recording for labels like Columbia, Kapp, and Little Darlin' into the and 1970s, with later hits including I Feel You, I Love You in 1968. Throughout his three-decade career, Helms toured extensively in clubs and small venues, maintaining a loyal following in country music circles despite shifting trends, and was posthumously inducted into the . He resided near , in his later years and passed away at age 63 from complications of and .

Early life

Family and upbringing

Bobby Helms was born Robert Lee Helms on August 15, 1933, in , into a musical family immersed in the local scene. His father, Fred Helms, played a central role in nurturing the family's musical talents by hosting the Monroe County , a local stage show where family members performed traditional and tunes. This environment exposed young Bobby to live performances from an early age, with his older brother, Freddie, often accompanying on guitar during family acts. Helms' childhood unfolded in a working-class, rural setting in amid the lingering effects of the , a time when economic hardships shaped daily life in Monroe County. The family drew inspiration from radio broadcasts of artists and community events, fostering Helms' innate interest in music without formal training. By his early teens, he began appearing on his father's , singing alongside his brother and honing skills through these informal gatherings that emphasized Appalachian-rooted sounds. Helms attended local schools in Bloomington, balancing basic education with his growing passion for music, which soon led to duo performances with his brother as the Helms Brothers.

Musical beginnings

Bobby Helms began his musical career in the late 1940s as a teenager, forming a country duo known as the Helms Brothers with his older brother Freddie, who accompanied him on guitar. The siblings performed at local events including fairs, schools, and radio stations throughout Indiana, quickly becoming a regional attraction in their home state. Growing up in rural Indiana amid a musical family environment, Helms honed his skills through these grassroots performances, which provided his initial exposure to live audiences. By around age 16 in 1949, Helms secured his first paid professional gigs, appearing on the WTTV television station in Bloomington as part of Uncle Bob Hardy's Happy Valley Folks show. In 1950, at age 17, Helms made his debut on the Grand Ole Opry, marking an important early step toward national recognition. The duo also featured on the local Hayloft Frolic program, further establishing their presence in the regional circuit and building Helms' confidence as a . These early television and live appearances marked the transition from family-oriented music-making to structured performances, exposing Helms to broader audiences within Indiana's burgeoning country scene. In the mid-1950s, seeking greater opportunities beyond regional work, Helms relocated to , where he began making demo recordings and forging connections with songwriters and industry figures. This move culminated in his first commercial releases on the Nashville-based Speed Records label in 1955, laying the groundwork for his national breakthrough while allowing him to refine his emotive, crossover-ready vocal delivery amid the city's vibrant music community.

Professional career

Debut and breakthrough hits

Bobby Helms entered the recording industry in 1955 with his debut singles for the independent Speed Records label in . His first release was the uptempo track "Hanging Around," backed with "Tennessee Rock and Roll," followed by "Freedom Lovin' Guy" paired with "I Don't Owe You Nothing." These early efforts, characterized by their traditional sound, received local in the Midwest and , helping to build a regional following for the young performer. In 1956, Helms signed a contract with the major label after an introduction facilitated by star , with his initial sessions produced by Owen Bradley at Bradley's studio in Nashville. This move marked Helms' transition to a national stage, allowing for more polished productions that blended roots with emerging pop sensibilities. His major-label debut came with the "Fraulein," released in early 1957, which became a breakthrough hit by topping the chart for four weeks and crossing over to reach number 36 on the pop chart, earning it the title of 's Country Song of the Year. Building on this momentum, Helms' follow-up single "My Special Angel," also a tender ballad written by Jimmy Duncan, ascended to number one on the Billboard country chart for four weeks in late 1957 while peaking at number seven on the pop chart. The song's success solidified Helms' reputation for heartfelt, crossover ballads and propelled him into national tours and high-profile television appearances, such as on The Ed Sullivan Show. Later that year, in August 1957, Helms recorded "Jingle Bell Rock" at Owen Bradley's studio, a novelty track co-written by Joseph Beal and James Boothe that fused country twang, rockabilly energy, and holiday cheer. Released in November, it quickly became an enduring Christmas classic, reaching number six on the Billboard pop chart and number thirteen on the country chart.

Later recordings and challenges

Following the success of his breakthrough hits in the late 1950s, Bobby Helms attempted to capitalize on the rockabilly trend with singles like "Jacqueline," released on Decca in 1958, which reached number five on the Billboard Country chart and number 63 on the Hot 100, while peaking at number 20 in the UK. Another effort, "Just a Little Lonesome," also charted in the country Top 10 that year, but these releases failed to replicate the crossover appeal of earlier tracks, signaling a commercial slowdown as rock 'n' roll's dominance intensified. Helms' Decca tenure ended around 1960 amid these moderate outcomes, prompting a shift toward more traditional country sounds to navigate the evolving genre. In the , Helms recorded for multiple labels, including a brief stint with Columbia in 1963 for a , The Best of Bobby Helms, before rejoining producer at from 1965 to 1967, where he issued two albums: I'm the Man and Sorry My Name Isn't Fred. These efforts, along with five singles on Kapp, emphasized heartfelt ballads but faced stiff competition from emerging acts and the rise of the smoother countrypolitan style, resulting in no major hits. By 1967, another label change to Aubrey Mayhew's Little Darlin' Records yielded several singles, yet commercial success remained elusive as the music industry prioritized polished productions over Helms' rootsier approach. The 1970s and 1980s saw sporadic releases on smaller labels such as Certron in 1970, Power Pak in 1976, and MCA in 1983 with the album Pop-a-Billy, which revisited rockabilly elements but garnered limited attention. Helms incorporated gospel influences into some recordings, including tracks like "Old Rugged Cross" and "Just a Closer Walk with Thee," while maintaining a schedule of regional tours to sustain his career amid a chart presence that had largely faded due to the genre's shift toward more contemporary sounds. Frequent label transitions—over a dozen across three decades—exacerbated professional hurdles, as did the broader challenges of adapting to countrypolitan trends and competing with rock-influenced newcomers, leading to inconsistent output and diminished visibility. Interest in Helms revived in the 1990s, driven by reissues of "," which re-entered the in 1996 and fueled holiday airplay. This resurgence led to appearances in television holiday specials and films, such as Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) and (1995), alongside covers by contemporary artists that highlighted the song's enduring appeal. By the late 1990s, Helms was inducted into the , acknowledging his foundational contributions despite the career's earlier fluctuations.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Bobby Helms was married three times and was the of eight children.[](https://ethnicelebs.com/bobby-helms) His first marriage to Esther Jeanette Hendrickson occurred in 1952 during his pre-fame years in , ending in divorce and producing four children. Helms' second marriage to Doris Ann Young took place around and produced four additional children. This union endured for a time, with the family settling in Nashville to accommodate his demanding schedule of recordings and tours. As a devoted , Helms often spoke of how his life provided a stabilizing anchor amid the uncertainties of the industry, including instances of external pressures like threatening correspondence that heightened concerns for his family's safety. His son Rob Helms later honored his father's legacy by forming a tribute band and promoting his as a and organizer in .

Health and later years

By the mid-1990s, Helms had been diagnosed with , a condition worsened by decades of heavy . He also suffered from , , stomach problems, and lost sight in his right eye, leading him to wear an eye patch in his . This illness progressively limited his mobility and prevented most public appearances, leading him to retire from touring in the early 1990s. He spent his remaining years at home in , enjoying a low-key lifestyle with occasional studio sessions and family time. His family offered crucial support during these health struggles.

Death and legacy

Final years and passing

Bobby Helms passed away at his home in Martinsville, Indiana, on June 19, 1997, at the age of 63. His death was attributed to respiratory failure stemming from emphysema and asthma, conditions that had plagued him for years. Funeral arrangements were managed by Neal & Summers Mortuary in Martinsville, with a service held locally before his burial at Hilldale Cemetery in the same town. Although no major event took place in Nashville, Tennessee, contemporaries in the country music scene paid private respects, reflecting on their shared history in the genre. The music industry responded with immediate recognition of Helms' contributions, particularly his holiday staple "," which Decca Records executives described as an enduring festive touchstone that continued to resonate annually. Tributes emphasized his role in blending and , with outlets like noting the song's status as a perennial classic. Following his death, Helms' estate became the subject of legal proceedings centered on royalties from "" and other hits, which formed a substantial portion of his assets. Family members, including heirs from his three marriages, managed the rights through an initial agreed that settled disputes, though subsequent challenges arose over the assignments. By late 1997, civil claims against the estate highlighted ongoing tensions regarding songwriter credits and payments, ultimately resolved in favor of family oversight of the royalties.

Cultural impact and recognition

Bobby Helms' signature hit "," released in 1957, has endured as a perennial holiday standard, frequently charting on the during the Christmas season in subsequent decades due to renewed radio airplay and streaming popularity. The song has amassed over 1.25 billion streams on as of 2025 and reached its highest-ever chart position at No. 3 on the in 2022, with a No. 4 position in January 2025. Its rockabilly-infused style helped popularize within and pop genres, blending 1950s teen-oriented energy with family-friendly holiday themes to create a crossover hit that influenced the evolution of seasonal recordings. The track's cultural footprint extends to numerous covers by prominent artists, including & in 1983, which featured in holiday specials and further embedded it in pop culture. released a punk-rock rendition in 2021, adapting the original's playful lyrics to a more rebellious tone while preserving its festive core. Helms' pioneering fusion of and elements in songs like "" contributed to the genre's broader accessibility, paving the way for later performers to incorporate upbeat, youth-appealing sounds into traditional country balladry. Helms received formal recognition for his contributions, including induction into the for his role in shaping the rockabilly-country hybrid. In 2009, he was posthumously honored with entry into the Monroe County Hall of Fame in , acknowledging his roots and impact on local music heritage. Following his death in 1997, interest in Helms' catalog revived through compilations and media, such as the 1994 Bear Family Records box set Fraulein: The Classic Years, which collected his Decca and Speed recordings and highlighted his early innovations. Archival footage from 1950s television appearances on shows like and has been featured in documentaries, including a 2025 production exploring his career and the enduring legacy of "." These efforts have sustained Helms' influence, ensuring his work continues to resonate in holiday playlists and retrospectives.

Discography

Albums

Bobby Helms' debut album, Bobby Helms Sings to , was released in 1957 by . The collection featured a series of ballads and romantic tracks that highlighted Helms' smooth baritone voice and production of , including renditions of "No Other Baby" and "The Magic Song." It captured the early phase of his career, blending pop sensibilities with roots to appeal to a broad audience. In the same era, Helms contributed to holiday music through singles that later influenced seasonal compilations, though full-length albums emerged later in his catalog. A notable example is the 1967 release Jingle on Little Darlin' Records, which emphasized festive themes and included variants of his signature seasonal hit along with other yuletide tunes, reflecting his shift toward themed recordings amid declining chart activity. This album underscored the lasting appeal of his holiday material, which continued to drive interest in his work during the late . Mid-career releases marked a transition to more traditional sounds as Helms moved between labels. The 1966 album I'm on explored mature themes in honky-tonk style, while later efforts like the 1983 Pop-a-Billy on MCA revisited influences with updated arrangements. By the late 1980s, This Song's for You (Playback Records, 1989) represented a reflective phase, featuring re-recordings of classics such as "" and new original songs focused on personal and Southern motifs. These albums demonstrated Helms' adaptability, though they achieved limited commercial breakthrough compared to his early singles. Later compilations aggregated his foundational recordings, providing context through on production and career milestones. The 2017 double-CD set The Complete Releases 1955-62 on Jasmine Records compiled all Decca-era tracks, from debut singles to the album cuts, offering insight into the evolution of his sound under producers like . Overall, Helms' albums experienced modest success on charts, rarely exceeding top-20 positions, but his holiday-themed work sustained enduring popularity, with seasonal releases and reissues maintaining sales into the through streaming and vinyl revivals.

Singles

Bobby Helms began his recording career with two singles on the small Nashville-based Speed Records label in , prior to any national chart success. His debut release, "Hanging Around" backed with "Yesterday's Lovin'," received limited regional airplay in the but did not enter national charts. A follow-up, "Freedom Lovin' Guy," also saw minimal distribution and play, marking Helms' initial foray into and styles without broader commercial breakthrough. Helms' major label debut came in 1957 with , yielding immediate crossover success on 's country and pop charts, which separately tracked sales and airplay for genre-specific and mainstream audiences, respectively. "Fraulein," released in March 1957, topped the country chart for eight weeks and crossed over to peak at number 36 on the pop chart, showcasing Helms' smooth baritone and romantic balladry. Later that year, "" similarly dominated, holding the number-one spot on the country chart for four weeks while reaching number seven on the pop chart, further establishing his appeal to both country and pop listeners through its sentimental lyrics and orchestral arrangement. "," issued in October 1957, blended country twang with rhythm and became a staple, peaking at number six on the and number 13 on the country chart, experiencing annual seasonal re-entries on the chart for decades due to its enduring festive popularity. From 1958 to 1960, Helms continued releasing singles on Decca, experimenting with influences amid shifting musical trends, though with diminishing pop crossover while maintaining presence. "Jacqueline," a 1958 release, peaked at number five on the and number 63 on the Hot 100, reflecting a lighter, upbeat style but limited mainstream traction. That same year, "Just a Little Lonesome" reached number 10 on the , incorporating faster tempos and guitar-driven energy typical of emerging sounds. By 1959-1960, singles like "My Lucky Day" (backed with "Hurry Baby") received but failed to chart nationally, signaling a transition as Helms navigated label changes and stylistic shifts. In the and into the , Helms' singles output became more sporadic across labels including Columbia, Kapp, and later independent imprints, with moderate chart performance underscoring his sustained but niche appeal in the genre. Releases in the , such as re-recordings or new tracks like updated versions of earlier hits, saw declining positions, often outside the top 40 on charts, as Helms focused on live performances and holiday revivals rather than new mainstream breakthroughs. These later efforts highlighted his crossover legacy, with Billboard's dual chart system illustrating how early hits like "" continued to influence holiday metrics through seasonal resurgences.
YearSinglePeak Country (Billboard)Peak Pop (Billboard Hot 100)Label
1957Fraulein136Decca
195717Decca
1957136Decca
1958Jacqueline563Decca
1958Just a Little Lonesome10-Decca

References

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