Robert William Troup Jr. (October 18, 1918 – February 7, 1999) was an American actor,

jazz Jazz is a music genre that originated in the African-American communities of New Orleans, Louisiana in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with its roots in blues and ragtime. Since the 1920s Jazz Age, it has been recognized as a m ...

pianist, singer, and songwriter. He wrote the song " Route 66" and acted in the role of Dr. Joe Early with his wife Julie London in the television program ''

Emergency! ''Emergency!'' is an American action-adventure medical drama television series jointly produced by Mark VII Limited and Universal Television. Debuting on NBC as a midseason replacement on January 15, 1972, replacing the two short-lived situa ...

'' in the 1970s.

Early life

Robert William Troup Jr. was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. His father Robert William Troup worked for the family business J. H. Troup Music House and founded its Lancaster, Pennsylvania branch store. He graduated from

The Hill School The Hill School (commonly known as The Hill) is a coeducational preparatory boarding school located on a campus in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, about northwest of Philadelphia. The Hill is part of the Ten Schools Admissions Organization (TSAO). ...

, a preparatory school in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, in 1937. He went on to graduate

Phi Beta Kappa The Phi Beta Kappa Society () is the oldest academic honor society in the United States, and the most prestigious, due in part to its long history and academic selectivity. Phi Beta Kappa aims to promote and advocate excellence in the liberal ...

from the

Wharton School The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania ( ; also known as Wharton Business School, the Wharton School, Penn Wharton, and Wharton) is the business school of the University of Pennsylvania, a private Ivy League research university in P ...

at the

University of Pennsylvania The University of Pennsylvania (also known as Penn or UPenn) is a private research university in Philadelphia. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and is ranked among the highest-regarded universitie ...

with a degree in economics.

Career

Military and music

His earliest musical success came in 1941 with the song "

Daddy A father is the male parent of a child. Besides the paternal bonds of a father to his children, the father may have a parental, legal, and social relationship with the child that carries with it certain rights and obligations. An adoptive fathe ...

" written for a Mask and Wig production.

Sammy Kaye Sammy Kaye (born Samuel Zarnocay Jr.; March 13, 1910 – June 2, 1987) was an American bandleader and songwriter, whose tag line, "Swing and Sway with Sammy Kaye", became one of the most famous of the Big Band Era. The expression springs fr ...

and His Orchestra recorded "Daddy", which was number one for eight weeks on the '' Billboard'' chart and the number five record of 1941; other musicians who recorded it include Glenn Miller, Bing Crosby,

Kay Kyser James Kern Kyser (June 18, 1905 – July 23, 1985), known as Kay Kyser, was an American bandleader and radio personality of the 1930s and 1940s. Early years James Kern Kyser was born in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, the son of pharmacists Emily ...

, and

The Andrews Sisters The Andrews Sisters were an American close harmony singing group of the swing and boogie-woogie eras. The group consisted of three sisters: contralto LaVerne Sophia Andrews (July 6, 1911 – May 8, 1967), soprano Maxene Anglyn Andrews (January ...

. "Daddy" can be heard in the 1941 film ''Two Latins from Manhattan''. The song is also performed by the title character in

Tex Avery Frederick Bean "Tex" Avery (February 26, 1908 – August 26, 1980) was an American animator, cartoonist, director, and voice actor. He was known for directing and producing animated cartoons during the golden age of American animation. His mo ...

's cartoon short ''

Red Hot Riding Hood ''Red Hot Riding Hood'' is an animated cartoon short subject, directed by Tex Avery and released with the movie '' Dr. Gillespie's Criminal Case'' on May 8, 1943, by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. In 1994, it was voted number 7 of The 50 Greatest Cartoo ...

'' (1943). After graduating from college in 1941, he enlisted in the

United States Marine Corps The United States Marine Corps (USMC), also referred to as the United States Marines, is the maritime land force service branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for conducting expeditionary and amphibious operations through combi ...

but did not receive orders until January 1942. After completing officer training, he was assigned as one of two dozen white officers to direct recruit training at

Montford Point Camp Gilbert H. Johnson is a satellite camp of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina and home to the Marine Corps Combat Service Support Schools (MCCSSS), where various support military occupational specialties such as ...

, the recruit depot for the first black Marines. In 1943 he became recreation officer and helped build a recreation hall, basketball court, and outdoor boxing ring. A friend installed a miniature golf course. At Montford Point, he also organized the first African-American band of U.S. Marines. During this time he composed "Take Me Away from Jacksonville", which was to become an anthem of sorts for the Marines at Montford Point and other areas of Camp Lejeune. In February 1942, Troup's song "Snootie Little Cutie" was recorded by Frank Sinatra and

Connie Haines Connie Haines (born Yvonne Marie Antoinette Jasme; January 20, 1921 – September 22, 2008) was an American singer and actress. Her 200 recordings were frequently up-tempo big band songs with the Harry James and Tommy Dorsey orchestras, and Fra ...

with the

Tommy Dorsey Orchestra Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr. (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the big band era. He was known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing" because of his smooth-toned trombo ...

and the Pied Pipers. In 1946,

Nat King Cole Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's music career began after he dropped out of school at the age of 15, and continued f ...

had a hit with Troup's most popular song, " Route 66". The song was also recorded by

Chuck Berry Charles Edward Anderson Berry (October 18, 1926 – March 18, 2017) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist who pioneered rock and roll. Nicknamed the " Father of Rock and Roll", he refined and developed rhythm and blues into th ...

(1961),

The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1962. Active for six decades, they are one of the most popular and enduring bands of the album era, rock era. In the early 1960s, the Rolling Stones pioneered the g ...

(1964) and Depeche Mode (1987). Troup's hipster interpretation of the fairy tale " The Three Bears" was first recorded by the Page Cavanaugh Trio in 1946 and later by

Leon McAuliffe William Leon McAuliffe (January 3, 1917 – August 20, 1988) was an American Western swing guitarist who was a member of Bob Wills and His Texas Playboys during the 1930s. He was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a me ...

, and

Ray Ellington Henry Pitts Brown (17 March 1916 – 27 February 1985), known professionally as Ray Ellington, was an English singer, drummer and bandleader. He is best known for his appearances on ''The Goon Show'' from 1951 to 1960. The Ray Ellington Quartet h ...

. Troup's recordings in the 1950s and 1960s were not commercially successful. He recorded for

Liberty Liberty is the ability to do as one pleases, or a right or immunity enjoyed by prescription or by grant (i.e. privilege). It is a synonym for the word freedom. In modern politics, liberty is understood as the state of being free within society fr ...

and

Capitol A capitol, named after the Capitoline Hill in Rome, is usually a legislative building where a legislature meets and makes laws for its respective political entity. Specific capitols include: * United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. * Numerous ...

. He wrote the

title song A title is one or more words used before or after a person's name, in certain contexts. It may signify either generation, an official position, or a professional or academic qualification. In some languages, titles may be inserted between the f ...

(sung by Little Richard) for the 1950s rock and roll film ''

The Girl Can't Help It ''The Girl Can't Help It'' is a 1956 American musical comedy film starring Jayne Mansfield in the titular role, Tom Ewell, Edmond O'Brien, Henry Jones, and Julie London. The picture was produced and directed by Frank Tashlin, with a screenpl ...

''. An instrumental version of his song "

The Meaning of the Blues ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

" appeared on the

Miles Davis Miles Dewey Davis III (May 26, 1926September 28, 1991) was an American trumpeter, bandleader, and composer. He is among the most influential and acclaimed figures in the history of jazz and 20th-century music. Davis adopted a variety of musi ...

album '' Miles Ahead''. Around 1969, Troup collaborated with entertainer Tommy Leonetti, writing the lyrics for Leonetti's song "My City of Sydney".

Television and films

While he relied on songwriting royalties, Troup worked as an actor, appearing in ''

Bop Girl Goes Calypso ''Bop Girl Goes Calypso'' is a 1957 American United Artists film directed by Howard W. Koch and starring Judy Tyler. It features calypso music by the Bobby Troup Trio and bassist Jim Aton. Plot Working on a thesis, college student Bob Hilton ...

'' (1957), ''

The High Cost of Loving ''The High Cost of Loving'' is a 1958 comedy film directed by and starring Jose Ferrer. It marked the film debut of Gena Rowlands. Plot Around the same time that Jim Fry learns that his place of work is merging with another company, his wife of ...

'' (1958), ''

The Five Pennies ''The Five Pennies'' is a semi-biographical 1959 film starring Danny Kaye as jazz cornet player and bandleader Loring "Red" Nichols. Other cast members include Barbara Bel Geddes, Louis Armstrong, Harry Guardino, Bob Crosby, Bobby Troup, Susan Go ...

'' (1959), and playing musician

Tommy Dorsey Thomas Francis Dorsey Jr. (November 19, 1905 – November 26, 1956) was an American jazz trombonist, composer, conductor and bandleader of the big band era. He was known as the "Sentimental Gentleman of Swing" because of his smooth-toned trombo ...

in the film ''

The Gene Krupa Story ''The Gene Krupa Story'' (also known as ''Drum Crazy'') is a 1959 biopic of American drummer and bandleader Gene Krupa. The conflict in the film centers on Krupa's rise to success and his corresponding use of marijuana. Plot synopsis The young ...

'' (1959). He appeared as himself in the short-lived NBC television series '' Acapulco''. He made three guest appearances on ''

Perry Mason Perry Mason is a fictional character, an American criminal defense lawyer who is the main character in works of detective fiction written by Erle Stanley Gardner. Perry Mason features in 82 novels and 4 short stories, all of which involve a c ...

'', and on two appearances, "The Case of the Jaded Joker" in 1959 and "The Case of the Missing Melody" in 1961, he showed his musical talents. In 1969 and 1970, he appeared as "Bobby" in two episodes of '' Mannix'', where he was a lounge piano player who helped Mannix unravel cases. Troup tried his luck at bowling on two episodes of ''Celebrity Bowling'' (1973-1975). He again appeared as a piano player in a cameo on ''The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries'' in 1978. His later films included '' First to Fight'' (1967) and ''

Number One Number One most commonly refers to: * 1 (number) Number One, No. 1, or #1 may also refer to: Music Albums * ''Number 1'' (Big Bang album), and the title song * ''No. 1'' (BoA album), and the title song * ''No.1'' (EP), by CLC * ''n.1 ...

'' (1969) with Charlton Heston. He appeared as disgruntled staff sergeant Gorman in Robert Altman's 1970 film ''

M*A*S*H ''M*A*S*H'' (Mobile Army Surgical Hospital) is an American media franchise consisting of a series of novels, a film, several television series, plays, and other properties, and based on the semi-autobiographical fiction of Richard Hooker. Th ...

.'' He is the last actor named by the camp PA announcer in the end credits, and he has the last line of the film: “God-damned Army!” In 1972, Jack Webb, who had hired Troup for a 1967 episode of the television series '' Dragnet'', cast him as Dr. Joe Early in the television series ''

'' with Julie London as nurse Dixie McCall. Both Troup and London guest starred as "Emergency" personnel on an episode of '' Adam-12''. In 1979, Troup played the part of Sam Gill in the TV miniseries '' The Rebels''.

Personal life

Troup married Cynthia Hare in May 1942. They had two daughters, Cynnie Troup (born 1943) and

Ronne Troup Ronne Troup is an American actress and educator whose acting roles include Polly Williams Douglas on the sitcom ''My Three Sons''. Biography Troup is the daughter of musician/actor Bobby Troup, and his first wife, Cynthia Hare, and the stepdaugh ...

(born 1945); both had careers in entertainment. The marriage ended in divorce in 1955. He met singer Julie London at the Celebrity Room where he was singing. He encouraged her to pursue her singing career, and in 1955 he produced her million-selling hit record " Cry Me a River". London, previously married to actor Jack Webb (1947 to 1953), married Troup in 1959. They had one daughter, Kelly Troup (died 2002), and twin sons, Jody (died 2010) and Reese Troup. On February 7, 1999, Troup died unexpectedly of a heart attack in the

Los Angeles Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...

suburb of

Sherman Oaks Sherman Oaks is a neighborhood in the city of Los Angeles, California located in the San Fernando Valley, founded in 1927. The neighborhood includes a portion of the Santa Monica Mountains, which gives Sherman Oaks a lower population density than ...

Discography

* ''Bobby Troup!'' (Capitol, 1953) * ''Bobby Troup and His Trio'' (Liberty, 1955) * ''The Songs of Bobby Troup'' (Bethlehem, 1955) * ''Bobby Troup Sings Johnny Mercer'' (Bethlehem, 1955) * ''The Distinctive Style of Bobby Troup'' (Bethlehem, 1955) * ''Bobby Swings Tenderly'' (Mode, 1957) * ''Do Re Mi'' (Liberty, 1957) * ''Here's to My Lady'' (Liberty, 1958) * ''Cool Bobby Troup'' (Interlude, 1959) * ''Bobby Troup and His Stars of Jazz'' (RCA Victor, 1959) * ''Two Part Inventions for Trumpet'' with Benny Golson (Twig, 1970) * ''In a Class Beyond Compare'' (Audiophile, 1981) * ''Kicks On Route 66'' (Hindsight, 1995) * ''Makin' Whoopee But Oh So Tenderly'' (Vintage Jazz) * ''The Feeling of Jazz'' (Starline, 1994)

Selected compositions

* "Baby, Baby, All the Time" – Frankie Laine, Julie London,

, June Christy,

Diana Krall Diana Jean Krall (born November 16, 1964) is a Canadian jazz pianist and singer known for her contralto vocals. She has sold more than 15 million albums worldwide, including over six million in the US. On December 11, 2009, ''Billboard'' maga ...

* "Bran' New Dolly" – written and sung by Bobby Troup on RCA Victor (1949) * "

" –

(1941),

, The Charioteers, Glenn Miller, Julie London * " Girl Talk", (Troup/ Hefti) –

Tony Bennett Anthony Dominick Benedetto (born August 3, 1926), known professionally as Tony Bennett, is an American retired singer of traditional pop standards, big band, show tunes, and jazz. Bennett is also a painter, having created works under his birt ...

Ella Fitzgerald Ella Jane Fitzgerald (April 25, 1917June 15, 1996) was an American jazz singer, sometimes referred to as the "First Lady of Song", "Queen of Jazz", and "Lady Ella". She was noted for her purity of tone, impeccable diction, phrasing, timing, in ...

, Julie London,

Holly Cole Holly Cole (born November 25, 1963) is a Canadian jazz singer and actress. For many years she performed with her group The Holly Cole Trio. Background Cole was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her father, Leon Cole, was a noted radio broadcaster ...

, Betty Carter, and

Ben Sidran Ben Hirsh Sidran (born August 14, 1943) is an American jazz and rock keyboardist, producer, label owner, and music writer. Early in his career he was a member of the Steve Miller Band and is the father of Grammy-nominated musician, composer an ...

(with new lyrics by Sidran). * "Hungry Man" – Louis Jordan * "I See Your Bass Before Me" * "I'd Like You for Christmas" – Julie London * "It Happened Once Before" –

The Four Freshmen The Four Freshmen is an American male vocal quartet that blends open-harmonic jazz arrangements with the big band vocal group sounds of The Modernaires, The Pied Pipers, and The Mel-Tones, founded in the barbershop tradition. The singers accom ...

* "Jack 'N Jill" * "Jaded Joker Theme" – 1959 episode of ''

'', "The Case of the Jaded Joker", co-star Frankie Laine * "Just the Way I Am" – June Christy,

Stan Kenton Stanley Newcomb Kenton (December 15, 1911 – August 25, 1979) was an American popular music and jazz artist. As a pianist, composer, arranger and band leader, he led an innovative and influential jazz orchestra for almost four decades. Though K ...

* "Lemon Twist" – Stan Kenton, Billy May,

John Pizzarelli John Paul Pizzarelli Jr. (born April 6, 1960, in Paterson, New Jersey) is an American jazz guitarist and vocalist. He has recorded over twenty solo albums and has appeared on more than forty albums by other recording artists, including Paul McCa ...

* "Let's Keep Dancing" – Peggy Lee * "My City of Sydney" (Troup/Leonetti) – Tommy Leonetti,

XL Capris XL or variants may stand for: Arts and entertainment * XL (band), a J-Pop band * XL Recordings, a British independent record label * XL, a character in the animated series ''Buzz Lightyear of Star Command'' Businesses and organizations Transport ...

, Mary Schneider * "Now You Know" – The Four Freshmen * "One October Morning" * "Out of the Shadows" – June Christy * "Please Belong to Me" * " Route 66" –

Nat King Cole Trio Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American singer, jazz pianist, and actor. Cole's music career began after he dropped out of school at the age of 15, and continued f ...

(1946), Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters, Perry Como,

Them Them or THEM, a third-person plural accusative personal pronoun, may refer to: Books * ''Them'' (novel), 3rd volume (1969) in American Joyce Carol Oates' ''Wonderland Quartet'' * '' Them: Adventures with Extremists'', 2003 non-fiction by Welsh ...

, The Manhattan Transfer, Patti Page,

Sandie Shaw Sandie may refer to: __NOTOC__ People * Sandie Clair (born 1988), French professional racing cyclist * Sandie Fitzgibbon, Irish former camogie player * Sandie Jones (1950/1951–2019), Irish singer * Sandie Lindsay, 1st Baron Lindsay of Birker (187 ...

and numerous others * "Snootie Little Cutie", (1941) –

and His Orchestra featuring Frank Sinatra,

, The Manhattan Transfer * "The Feeling of Jazz" – words to Duke Ellington's composition * "

", (1956) – Little Richard,

the Animals The Animals (also billed as Eric Burdon and the Animals) are an English rock band, formed in Newcastle upon Tyne in the early 1960s. The band moved to London upon finding fame in 1964. The Animals were known for their gritty, bluesy sound and ...

Bobby Vee Robert Thomas Velline (April 30, 1943 – October 24, 2016), known professionally as Bobby Vee, was an American singer who was a teen idol in the early 1960s and also appeared in films. According to ''Billboard'' magazine, he had thirty-ei ...

Cliff Richard Sir Cliff Richard (born Harry Rodger Webb; 14 October 1940) is an Indian-born British musican, singer, producer, entrepreneur and philanthropist who holds both British and Barbadian citizenship. He has total sales of over 21.5 million s ...

* "

" – Julie London,

(1957),

Shirley Horn Shirley Valerie Horn (May 1, 1934 – October 20, 2005) was an American jazz singer and pianist. She collaborated with many jazz musicians including Miles Davis, Dizzy Gillespie, Toots Thielemans, Ron Carter, Carmen McRae, Wynton Marsalis and ot ...

Irene Kral Irene Kral (January 18, 1932 – August 15, 1978) was an American jazz singer who was born to Czechoslovakian parents in Chicago, Illinois and settled in Los Angeles in the early 1960s. She died from breast cancer in Encino, California. Kral's ...

Buddy Rich Bernard "Buddy" Rich (September 30, 1917 – April 2, 1987) was an American jazz drummer, songwriter, conductor, and bandleader. He is considered one of the most influential drummers of all time. Rich was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, ...

Michael Brecker Michael Leonard Brecker (March 29, 1949 – January 13, 2007) was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. He was awarded 15 Grammy Awards as both performer and composer. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Berklee College of M ...

, Keith Jarrett * " The Three Bears", (1946) – Page Cavanaugh Trio,

* "

Their Hearts Were Full of Spring "Their Hearts Were Full of Spring" is a song written by Bobby Troup. It has been recorded by many artists including Jimmie Rodgers (pop singer), Jimmie Rodgers, the Four Freshmen, the Lettermen, the Beach Boys, Sue Raney, the Cyrkle, and Tatsuro Y ...

" – The Four Freshmen,

Jimmie Rodgers James Charles Rodgers (September 8, 1897 – May 26, 1933) was an American singer-songwriter and musician who rose to popularity in the late 1920s. Widely regarded as "the Father of Country Music", he is best known for his distinctive rhythmi ...

The Beach Boys The Beach Boys are an American rock band that formed in Hawthorne, California, in 1961. The group's original lineup consisted of brothers Brian, Dennis, and Carl Wilson, their cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine. Distinguished by the ...

Sue Raney Raelene Claire Claussen, known professionally as Sue Raney (born June 18, 1940, in McPherson, Kansas) is an American jazz singer. Raney was signed by Capitol Records in 1957 at age 17. That same year, she recorded her debut album, ''When Your Love ...

The Cyrkle The Cyrkle was an American rock band active in the early and mid-1960s. The group charted two Top 40 hits, "Red Rubber Ball" and " Turn-Down Day". Career The band was formed by guitarists and lead singers Don Dannemann and Tom Dawes (who also p ...

* "There She Goes" * "This October" – The Four Freshmen, Julie London * "You're Looking at Me" – Nat King Cole,

Don Fagerquist Donald Alton Fagerquist (February 6, 1927 – January 23, 1974) was a small group, big band, and studio jazz trumpet player from the West Coast of the United States. Career Fagerquist was a featured soloist with several major bands, including M ...

, Stacey Kent, Diana Krall, Cleo Laine,

Carmen McRae Carmen Mercedes McRae (April 8, 1920 – November 10, 1994) was an American jazz singer. She is considered one of the most influential jazz vocalists of the 20th century and is remembered for her behind-the-beat phrasing and ironic interpre ...

, Jerry Costanzo * "Walking Shoes" – words to

Gerry Mulligan Gerald Joseph Mulligan (April 6, 1927 – January 20, 1996), also known as Jeru, was an American jazz saxophonist, clarinetist, composer and arranger. Though primarily known as one of the leading jazz baritone saxophonists—playing the instrum ...

's composition

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Troup, Bobby 1918 births 1999 deaths 20th-century American singers 20th-century American male actors U.S. Route 66 Actors from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania American jazz pianists American male pianists United States Marine Corps personnel of World War II Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Hollywood Hills) Jazz musicians from California Liberty Records artists Musicians from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania Singer-songwriters from Pennsylvania Singer-songwriters from California United States Marine Corps officers The Hill School alumni Jazz musicians from Pennsylvania 20th-century American male musicians American male jazz musicians 20th-century American pianists American male singer-songwriters Military personnel from Pennsylvania