Sacramento entertainer/drummer/elder hipster. By chance I came across the headstone for Bobby Burns at St. Mary's in the Veteran's section. It was a blustery day and the American flag was whipping back and forth near the brick wall upon which all the large military insignias are mounted impressively. The area is a well-tended burial location for many serviceman; most of them have the distinctive military headstone. The one for Bobby Burns was not the usual headstone. After some research on the internet and thanks to a delightful article written about him in 2010, I discovered Bobby Burns was, like his headstone and the words written on it, well.......... delightfully unique.
He was described an a lively "elder hipster" of Sacramento in the 1970's and 1980's; he dressed in wild outfits and entertained folks with his scat singing as he danced down the streets of Sacramento. At the age of 10 in his native Minnesota, he fell in love with drums (often waking up his father and repeatedly getting in trouble for his drumming obsession) and thereafter was rarely far away from a set of drumsticks. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and never got over what he had witnessed, perhaps part of the reason he became a dedicated drinker. He had his favorite watering holes in Sacramento, and when he died a bowling bag was taken to the various bars in order to collect money for "a proper Catholic burial". He lived on his military pension and was found several days after he died of heart failure in his room.
His favorite saying was "You Gotta Have A Gimmick". He had many. Rest in Peace Bobby Burns. Hope you are Bee Bopping in Heaven.
He was described an a lively "elder hipster" of Sacramento in the 1970's and 1980's; he dressed in wild outfits and entertained folks with his scat singing as he danced down the streets of Sacramento. At the age of 10 in his native Minnesota, he fell in love with drums (often waking up his father and repeatedly getting in trouble for his drumming obsession) and thereafter was rarely far away from a set of drumsticks. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and never got over what he had witnessed, perhaps part of the reason he became a dedicated drinker. He had his favorite watering holes in Sacramento, and when he died a bowling bag was taken to the various bars in order to collect money for "a proper Catholic burial". He lived on his military pension and was found several days after he died of heart failure in his room.
His favorite saying was "You Gotta Have A Gimmick". He had many. Rest in Peace Bobby Burns. Hope you are Bee Bopping in Heaven.
Sacramento entertainer/drummer/elder hipster. By chance I came across the headstone for Bobby Burns at St. Mary's in the Veteran's section. It was a blustery day and the American flag was whipping back and forth near the brick wall upon which all the large military insignias are mounted impressively. The area is a well-tended burial location for many serviceman; most of them have the distinctive military headstone. The one for Bobby Burns was not the usual headstone. After some research on the internet and thanks to a delightful article written about him in 2010, I discovered Bobby Burns was, like his headstone and the words written on it, well.......... delightfully unique.
He was described an a lively "elder hipster" of Sacramento in the 1970's and 1980's; he dressed in wild outfits and entertained folks with his scat singing as he danced down the streets of Sacramento. At the age of 10 in his native Minnesota, he fell in love with drums (often waking up his father and repeatedly getting in trouble for his drumming obsession) and thereafter was rarely far away from a set of drumsticks. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and never got over what he had witnessed, perhaps part of the reason he became a dedicated drinker. He had his favorite watering holes in Sacramento, and when he died a bowling bag was taken to the various bars in order to collect money for "a proper Catholic burial". He lived on his military pension and was found several days after he died of heart failure in his room.
His favorite saying was "You Gotta Have A Gimmick". He had many. Rest in Peace Bobby Burns. Hope you are Bee Bopping in Heaven.
He was described an a lively "elder hipster" of Sacramento in the 1970's and 1980's; he dressed in wild outfits and entertained folks with his scat singing as he danced down the streets of Sacramento. At the age of 10 in his native Minnesota, he fell in love with drums (often waking up his father and repeatedly getting in trouble for his drumming obsession) and thereafter was rarely far away from a set of drumsticks. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and never got over what he had witnessed, perhaps part of the reason he became a dedicated drinker. He had his favorite watering holes in Sacramento, and when he died a bowling bag was taken to the various bars in order to collect money for "a proper Catholic burial". He lived on his military pension and was found several days after he died of heart failure in his room.
His favorite saying was "You Gotta Have A Gimmick". He had many. Rest in Peace Bobby Burns. Hope you are Bee Bopping in Heaven.
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SACTO'S HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY GIMMICK
BOBBY WHO?
BOBBY BEE-BOP DA BEE BOP BURNS
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