The Remarkable Double Life of Bobby Sherman: From Screaming Teens to Saving Lives

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bobby sherman
bobby sherman

The world lost a uniquely American icon on June 24, 2025, with the passing of Robert Cabot Sherman Jr. (July 22, 1943 – June 24, 2025). Sherman wasn’t just a teen idol whose voice defined the late 1960s and early 1970s; he was a man who traded the roar of adoring crowds for the sirens of emergency services, crafting a legacy far richer than chart success alone.

A Meteoric Rise in Entertainment:
Sherman’s journey began in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. A chance performance at a Hollywood party, arranged by Sal Mineo, ignited his career. This led to signing with an agent, landing him as a house singer on the influential ABC show Shindig!. His boyish charm quickly made him a fixture in teen magazines.

His big break arrived in 1968 as the endearing, stammering Jeremy Bolt on the ABC television series Here Come the Brides (1968-1970). By 1970, he was ABC-TV‘s most popular performer by fan mail volume. Concurrently, his music career skyrocketed. Signing with Metromedia Records, he released the timeless million-selling smash, “Little Woman” (1969), which soared to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, spending nine weeks in the Top 20 and earning a gold disc.

Sherman wasn’t a one-hit wonder. Tracks like “Julie, Do Ya Love Me” (written by Tom Bahler), “Easy Come, Easy Go”, and “La La La (If I Had You)” also sold over a million copies, garnering additional gold discs. Between 1962 and 1976, he released 107 songs, 23 singles, and 10 albums, achieving seven top 40 hits, seven gold singles, one platinum single, and five gold albums. His tours across the United States and the world drew sellout crowds dominated by screaming young women – a phenomenon so intense it contributed to his later hearing loss.

Beyond music, Sherman was a versatile actor. He guest-starred on numerous television series including The Monkees (playing surfer Frankie Catalina), Honey West, Emergency!, The F.B.I., The Mod Squad, Murder She Wrote, and Frasier. He graced iconic stages like The Ed Sullivan Show, American Bandstand, The Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour, and The Tonight Show with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. Though primarily a TV star, he appeared in films like the family feature He Is My Brother (1975) and the cult classic Get Crazy (1983) alongside fellow idol Fabian.

An Unlikely and Profound Second Act:
In a move that stunned fans, Sherman stepped away from the spotlight in the mid-1970s. A 1974 guest role on Emergency! sparked a profound shift. He trained as a paramedic, volunteering extensively and teaching CPR and first aid. His commitment to service deepened further. He became a technical Reserve Police Officer with the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in the 1990s, serving for decades. As a medical training officer at the Los Angeles Police Academy, he instructed thousands of police officers, earning the prestigious LAPD’s Reserve Officer of the Year award in 1999.

Adding to his service, Sherman became a reserve deputy sheriff with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department in 1999, continuing his vital emergency training role until his retirement in 2010.

A Legacy of Heart and Harmony:
With his wife, Brigitte Poublon (married 2010), Sherman co-founded the Brigitte & Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation (BBSC). Driven by compassion, the foundation‘s mission focuses on providing motivated students in Ghana with a high quality education and enriching music program, empowering them towards higher education.

Sherman briefly returned to the stage for the nostalgic “The Teen Idol Tour” in 1998 and 1999 with Peter Noone and Davy Jones (later Micky Dolenz), performing his final solo concert in 2001. TV Guide cemented his cultural impact, ranking him No. 8 among “TV’s 25 Greatest Teen Idols” in 2005.

A Life Fully Lived:
Born in Santa Monica, California, to Robert Cabot Sherman Sr. and Juanita (Freeman) Sherman, Bobby Sherman lived a life of extraordinary duality: adored idol and dedicated public servant. He faced his final challenge, stage 4 kidney cancer, with characteristic dignity, passing away peacefully at his Los Angeles home just two days before his 82nd birthday. He is survived by his wife Brigitte and sons from his first marriage to Patti Carnel.

Robert Cabot Sherman Jr. leaves behind an enduring legacy – not just the golden voice that charmed a generation, but the countless lives touched by his decades of quiet heroism and the profound educational opportunities fostered through his foundation. He was the rare star whose light shone even brighter when he stepped off the stage and into service.

Discography

Singles

  • 1962: “Judy, You’ll Never Know (I’ll Never Tell You)”/”The Telegram” (Starcrest)
  • 1963: “I Want to Hear It from Her”/”Nobody’s Sweetheart” (Dot)
  • 1964: “You Make Me Happy”/”Man Overboard” (Decca)
  • 1965: “It Hurts Me”/”Give Me Your Word” (Decca) US No. 118,[18] Canada No. 44 [19]
  • 1965: “Hey Little Girl”/”Well, Allright” (Decca)
  • 1965: “Anything Your Little Heart Desires”/Goody Galum-Shus” (Parkway)
  • 1965: “Happiness Is”/”Can’t Get Used to Losing You” (Cameo)
  • 1967: “Cold Girl”/”Think Of Rain” (Epic)
  • 1969: “Judy, You’ll Never Know (I’ll Never Tell You)”/”The Telegram” (Condor) (reissue)
  • 1969: “Little Woman“/”One Too Many Mornings” (Metromedia), US No. 3,[18] RIAA certification Gold, Canada No. 2
  • 1969: “La La La (If I Had You)“/”Time” (Metromedia), US No. 9,[18] US AC No. 14,[20] RIAA Gold, Canada No. 7
  • 1970: “Easy Come, Easy Go“/”Sounds Along the Way” (Metromedia), US No. 9,[18] US AC No. 2,[20] RIAA Gold, Canada No. 6
  • 1970: “Hey, Mister Sun“/”Two Blind Minds” (Metromedia), US No. 24,[18] US AC No. 3,[20] Canada No. 19
  • 1970: “Julie, Do Ya Love Me“/”Spend Some Time Lovin Me” (Metromedia), US No. 5,[18] US AC No. 2,[20] RIAA Gold, Canada No. 3
  • 1971: “Goin’ Home (Sing a Song of Christmas Cheer)”/”Love’s What You’re Getting for Christmas” (Metromedia), US CB No. 70[18]
  • 1971: “Cried Like a Baby“/”Is Anybody There” (Metromedia), US No. 16,[18] US AC No. 9,[20] Canada No. 10
  • 1971: “The Drum“/”Free Now to Roam” (Metromedia), US No. 29,[18] US AC No. 2,[20] Canada No. 7
  • 1971: “Waiting at the Bus Stop”/”Run Away” (Metromedia), US No. 54,[18] Canada No. 31[21]
  • 1971: “Jennifer”/”Getting Together” (Metromedia), US No. 60,[18] US AC No. 9,[20] Canada No. 32[22]
  • 1972: “Together Again”/”Picture a Little Girl” (Metromedia), US No. 91,[18] Canada No. 52[23]
  • 1972: “I Don’t Believe in Magic”/”Just a Little While Longer” (Metromedia)
  • 1972: “Early in the Morning”/”Unborn Lullabye” (Metromedia), US No. 113[18]
  • 1974: “Mr. Success”/”Runaway” (Janus)
  • 1975: “Our Last Song Together“/”Sunshine Rose” (Janus), US CB No. 103,[18] US AC No. 34[20]

Original LPs

  • 1969: Bobby Sherman (Metromedia), US No. 11,[24] RIAA Gold
  • 1970: Here Comes Bobby (Metromedia), US No. 10,[24] RIAA Gold
  • 1970: With Love, Bobby (Metromedia), US No. 20,[24] RIAA Gold
  • 1970: Christmas Album (Metromedia), US Christmas Albums No. 2,[25] (see NOTE below)
  • 1971: Portrait of Bobby (Metromedia), US No. 48[24]
  • 1971: Getting Together (Metromedia), US No. 71[24]
  • 1972: Just For You (Metromedia)

NOTE: Metromedia released 2 versions of Christmas Album: one contained “Prologue”; the other replaced it with “Goin’ Home (Sing A Song Of Christmas Cheer)”—rest of LP is identical.

Compilation LPs

  • 1971: Bobby Bobby Bobby (promo only) (Metromedia Special Products)
  • 1972: Bobby Sherman’s Greatest Hits (Metromedia), US No. 83[24]
  • 1972: Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Bobby Sherman (Superstar Records)
  • 1975: Remembering You (Phase One) (This album contains 7 previously released songs (Mr. Success, Julie Do You Love Me, Runaway, Easy Come Easy Go, Early In The Morning, Cried Like A Baby, Our Last Song Together) and 5 new songs not available anywhere else (Beginnings Are Easy, Fresh Out Of Love, I’ll Never Stop Singing My Song, Here With You, Just Ask Me I’ve Been There)).

CDs

  • 1990: What Came Before (Teen Ager #622) (“Just For You” with bonus tracks)
  • 1991: The Very Best of Bobby Sherman (Restless)
  • 1992: Christmas Album (Restless)
  • 1995: All-Time Greatest Hits (K-tel) (contains 2 previously unreleased songs, “Where There’s A Heartache” and “I Can’t Wait Until Tomorrow”)
  • 1995: Bobby Sherman (K-tel)
  • 1995: Here Comes Bobby (K-tel)
  • 1995: With Love, Bobby (K-tel)
  • 1995: Portrait of Bobby (K-tel)
  • 1995: Getting Together (K-tel)
  • 1999: My Christmas Wish (KRB) (reissue of Christmas Album)
  • 2000: The Very Best of Bobby Sherman (Varese)
  • 2001: Here Comes Bobby / With Love, Bobby (Collectables Records) (2 albums on 1 CD)
  • 2001: Bobby Sherman / Portrait of Bobby (Collectables Records) (2 albums on 1 CD)
  • 2008: Just For You (K-tel)
  • 2010: Love Songs (K-Tel)
  • 2015: The Partridge Family: Missing Pieces (Bell) (one track is Bobby Sherman singing “Stephanie”)
  • 2017: Singles (Four-Teen) (contains 6 previously unreleased songs, “Stop The Music”, “Old Girlfriends”, “Over Here”, “The New Girl In School”, “Beautiful Doll” and “Today I Chipped A Piece Off Of The Sun”)

Songs included on various artists compilation CDs

  • 1993: Yesterday’s Heroes: Teen Idols of the 70’s (Rhino)
  • 1994: Have a Nice Christmas: Christmas in the 70’s (Rhino)
  • 1994: Tube Tunes Volume One: the 70’s (Rhino)
  • 1996: Bubblegum Classics, Vol. 3 (Varese)
  • 1992: TV Family Christmas (Scotti Brothers)

References

  1.  “Bobby Sherman Turns 73: A Look Back at His Career and Where He’s Been for the Past 30 Years”. inquisitr.com.
  2.  Laurent, Lawrence (August 13, 1971). “Bobby Sherman Bridges Age Gap”. Tucson Citizen. p. 27.
  3.  Orloff, Kathy (November 8, 1970). “Bubble Gum Bobby and Micro-Boppers”. Los Angeles Times. p. Ten.
  4.  Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London, UK: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. pp. 267, 285. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  5.  Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, UK: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 496. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  6.  Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London, UK: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 599. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  7.  “Bobby Sherman”. classicbands.com.
  8.  Felthousen-Post, Cyn. “Groovy Teen Idol Bobby Sherman”. Groovy History.
  9.  Brooks, Tim and Marsh, Earle, The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows 1946–present, Ballantine Books, 1979, page 260
  10.  McDonagh, Fintan (2021). Edward Dmytryk: Reassessing His Films and Life. McFarland. p. 270. ISBN 9781476680927.
  11.  Sobczynski, Peter (December 30, 2021). “Just Another Step on the Journey, Man!: 1983’s Underrated NYE Comedy, Get Crazy”. RogerEbert.com. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  12.  “Who We Are”. Brigitte & Bobby Sherman Foundation. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  13.  “Mission Statement”. Brigitte & Bobby Sherman Foundation. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  14.  “Brigitte & Bobby Sherman Children’s Foundation – Founders”. Bbscfoundation.org. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved October 27, 2017.
  15.  “Bobby Sherman, ’60s teen heartthrob, diagnosed with stage 4 cancer”. USA Today. March 28, 2025. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  16.  Willman, Chris (June 24, 2025). “Bobby Sherman, Heartthrob Singer and TV Actor of the 1970s, Dies at 81”. Variety. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  17.  Langer, Emily (June 24, 2025). “Bobby Sherman, teen idol who made fans swoon, dies at 81”. The Washington Post. Retrieved June 24, 2025.
  18.  Whitburn, Joel (2015). The Comparison Book Billboard/Cash Box/Record World 1954–1982. Sheridan Books. ISBN 978-0-89820-213-7.
  19.  “RPM Top 40 & 5 – March 15, 1965” (PDF).
  20.  Whitburn, Joel (2007). Billboard Top Adult Songs 1961–2006. Record Research. ISBN 978-0-89820-169-7.
  21.  “RPM Top 100 Singles – September 18, 1971” (PDF).
  22.  “RPM Top 100 Singles – November 6, 1971” (PDF).
  23.  “RPM Top 100 Singles – March 18, 1972” (PDF).
  24.  Whitburn, Joel (2018). Top Pop Albums 1955-2016. Prometheus Global Media. ISBN 978-0-89820-226-7.
  25.  Whitburn, Joel (2004). Christmas in the Charts 1920-2004. Record Research. ISBN 0-89820-161-6.

 

 

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