Vinton’s concert will feature his popular tunes like “Roses Are Red,” “Blue Velvet,” “Mr. Lonely,” and “Melody of Love.”

Vinton got his start with a band he formed at age sixteen. Bobby and his group recorded some demo records which Bobby started delivering to as many radio stations as he could. At one station, the DJ was so impressed that he took the disc to CBS. Label executives signed Vinton and released Bobby's first single, "Roses Are Red," which launched his career as a vocalist. The record climbed to the #1 spot on the U.S. charts and eventually sold over four million copies.

This sentimental arrangement set the standard for his song style throughout the early '60s. Bobby hit a banner year in 1963, as he hit number three with "Blue on Blue" and then topped the charts with "Blue Velvet" and "There! I've Said It Again."

"There! I've Said It Again" was knocked out of the number one spot by the Beatles' "I Want to Hold Your Hand," but the British Invasion, surprisingly, didn't end the commercial success for Vinton, as it did for so many other ballad singers and teen idols. Indeed, he had one of his biggest hits, and his final number one, the sobbing "Mr. Lonely" in late 1964, which was inspired by his short stint in the army.

Although he didn't maintain quite the same superstar ranking, he was consistently popular throughout the next decade. In fact, he had an astonishing 28 Top 40 entries and had more #1 records than any other solo male artist of that decade. Often, he updated 1960-era pop tunes such as "Halfway To Paradise," "Take Good Care Of My Baby" and "Sealed With A Kiss." A couple of these, "Please Love Me Forever" and "I Love How You Love Me" made the Top Ten, which was quite an amazing feat in 1967 and 1968, the age of flower power rock.

Bobby's hit-making capability was again evidenced when he released “My Melody of Love,” which became the #1 song in the nation and launched a 1974 comeback. This single was embraced by Polish Americans around the country as their new national anthem.

Not long after this song hit, Vinton published his best selling autobiography “The Polish Prince.” The phenomenal success Bobby experienced in the recording industry carried over to other areas of the entertainment world.

Vinton's name has been synonymous with superstardom. An industry survivor, he continues to enjoy success as a top-rated performer. Today, Bobby is one of the few stars capable of headlining in Atlantic City and Las Vegas in addition to playing dates around the world. He has established himself as one of America's top concert performers and versatile entertainers.

His songs are recognized as standards throughout the world, and his music has retained its vitality and relevance through our changing times.

Bobby, never satisfied with yesterday’s accomplishments, created his own theater in Branson, Missouri. The Bobby Vinton Blue Velvet Theatre is a 1600 seat European style theatre complete with ceiling murals, Italian tile and blue velvet accents. He kept the theatre in Branson for ten years before selling it and returning to touring. He still makes an annual appearance in the southern Missouri tourist town.

Bobby has received awards for over a dozen gold records and albums during his career and has sold over 75 million records. As a tribute to his talents and community services, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce bestowed the ultimate honor upon Vinton--a bronze star on the world famous Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard.

To enjoy this Bobby Vinton concert, patrons should contact the box office for tickets, 740/383-2101. Marion General Hospital and Kingston Residence sponsor this event.