Tiger Beat - April 1971

I Care About You!

Bobby is a very special kind of star because he really cares about you a lot.  Here in his own words he tells you just

I'm really not any different from the guys you know.  In lots of ways I think and feel exactly the same as the boy you sit next to in math, or the one who helps you with a science problem or takes you to a Friday-night football game!

But early in my high school years my life took a turn that would, in the years that followed, set me apart from those other guys.  What I discovered is no secret to you now - the fact that I loved to sing and I wanted to be in show business!

So I had my band, and we practiced and played at every opportunity we had.   Things didn't change much for me then - I was Bobby who sang just like Joe was the guy who played football.  I never, not for a minute, realized what would happen only a short time later!

A BIG SURPRISE! - Then I got my big chance on "Shindig" and discovered what it was like to have a really big audience watching me!  At last I was a professional, doing what I loved best and enjoyed every minute of it!  Then I found there was another side to my career that I'd never even considered!  I had fans!

I'll never forget the first time that fact was brought home to me!   "Shindig" had been on the air for a couple of weeks, and as I was leaving the studio one day I almost ran right into a girl who was waiting outside!

"You're Bobby Sherman, aren't you?" she said shyly.

"Yes," I answered.  "Who are you?"

"I'm your fan."

Three simple words - and they nearly bowled me over!  When I think of it now, that was one of the moments in my life I know I'll never forget!  She had been waiting because she wanted my autograph, and I don't know who was more excited and nervous!  My hand shook so much I could hardly sign her book!

We talked for a while about the show as we walked over to my car, and she was so sweet that I couldn't resist giving her a kiss on the cheek when I said goodbye.   Her face glowed with happiness, and it made me feel humble to think that I had been responsible for it!

WOULD THERE BE MORE? - All the way home, I was in a complete daze.  I had never had an experience like that before!  Would it happen again?

It did.  With every week that passed, the crowd of girls waiting by the stage door grew, and the fan mail started to come in, too.  Many of the girls came again and again, and I knew them by name.  I grew used to signing autographs, but the excitement that I caused still awed me a little.  I kept thinking, "They really like me - Bobby Sherman!  Wow!"

I suppose it would have been easy to let it go to my head, but somehow it never did.  Maybe it was because I was still just plain old Bobby to my family and friends.  My mom used to help me answer the fan mail, and there were times we worked way into the night.

Then one day we just couldn't do it anymore, because there was too much.   I still read every letter I received (and I still try to!) but it was impossible to write back to everyone!  Soon there were too many girls waiting outside the stage door too, and even though I'd spend an hour or more talking to them and signing autographs, there were more than a few disappointed faces when I finally had to leave.

SLEEPLESS NIGHTS - The problem lay very heavily on my heart.  I kept turning it over and over in my mind, searching for the right solution.  I knew it was physically impossible to personally talk to every fan, and yet there were many sleepless nights I spent puzzling over what I could do!  I had a very wonderful gift that is given to very few people - the power to make others happy with just a few words or a gesture - and the responsibility this gift carried with it was very serious to me.

In desperation, I threw myself even more wholeheartedly into my work.   The years passed - "Shindig" ended and "Brides" began.   And with time, I slowly discovered the only possible answer.  By trying to perfect my singing (and then my acting too) as much as I could, I was returning in some small way the love my fans gave me.

It was still never enough, and this is the main reason I began to do concert tours and personal appearances.  When "Brides" was cancelled, I was unhappy about it, but in another way I saw it as a chance to meet even more fans and return their love.

YOU'VE HELPED SO MUCH! - I think you understand.  And I'm surely a better performer because of the faith you have had in me.  I've been given a chance to prove what I can do, and if that makes me different from other guys, I'm happy that it does.

But please don't ever think that I am standing up on a stage and singing to a crowd of girls when I do a concert!  As I run into the spotlight, do you know what is racing through my mind in the split-second before I start to sing?  The memory of the happiness on the face of my very first fan!

And when I look out into the sea of faces before me - I see you!  I feel the same way about each and every one of you as I felt about that girl I met years ago!

With every song I sing - with every peace sign I wave - I'm touching you, thanking you, loving you.  There is no other way to say it . . . I care about you!