Tiger Beat Spectacular - Summer 1970 (typed Gale)

Bobby's Sister Answers Your Intimate Questions

No one could possibly know more about what it's like to have Bobby for a brother than his very own sister, Darlene! That's why she wanted to answer personally the many questions YOU'VE been asking about Bobby. Darlene wants YOU to know just as much about Bobby as she does because she knows you love him too!

Did you enjoy looking after Bobby when he was small or was it a chore?
Bobby was never any trouble so I'd say it was a joy to watch him.

When you were old enough to date, did Bobby hang around and tease you?
No, he never hung around or teased me until I started dating Mac. He wanted to be around him because Mac paid attention to him!

When Bobby was old enough to start getting interested in girls, did he conceal it?
Bobby never concealed anything from us and especially not girls. He had a girlfriend in kindergarten and came home and told everyone about her. She had blond hair and blue eyes. His first serious crush was when he was about 14. The little girl lived behind us and she also had blond hair and blue eyes.

How did he let the family know he had a date for the first time?
Bobby came to our folks and asked if they would mind taking this girl out to dinner and maybe a show. He was too young to drive, so the folks said sure.

Did you ever disapprove of any of the girls Bobby went with?
No, I never disapproved; it was never any of my business. Besides, he never said or made any comments about my dates.

Did Bobby ever come to you for advice rather than your parents?
No, not right out. He would mention something in a roundabout way, and wait to see if I had anything to say about it. He usually went to Mom for the answers.

Do you think that you and Bobby have grown closer as you've grown older?
Yes, very definitely. We were close when we were small, but we didn't always understand each other's views and beliefs. As we have grown older we've become able to understand each other completely.

What was your impression of Bobby when he was twelve? What type of personality did he have?
When Bobby was 12 he had a very creative mind. That's about the time he built a miniature Disneyland. I never had a mind like he did so it amazed me that he could do these things. It seemed like nothing was too big for him to tackle. He had a terrific personality. He got along with everybody, and if he saw anybody who was depressed he would try to cheer them up.

What sort of games did Bobby play to keep him occupied while growing up?
Bobby, from one day to the next, was either a policeman, fireman, or a truck driver. Then he was busy with making helicopters, TV cameras, writing scripts, and making Disneyland.

What type of gifts did Bobby give you on special occasions when he was young?
He'd make birthday cards and he'd buy me pens.

Did he ever come to you with questions about girls?
No, that's when he went to either Mom or Dad.

How did Bobby become so sensitive about his middle name?
This is the first time that I ever heard he was sensitive about his name. I've never heard him say anything about it.

Did Bobby like to tag along with you when he was small?
Yes, and he always minded me, so I never minded him coming along.

Did Bobby go to bed when he was supposed to or did he try to wheedle out of it?
Bobby was always so active during the day, that he never had to be told to go to bed because he went on his own. We could be sitting and watching TV and all of a sudden we'd look around and Bobby would be gone.

Was he persuasive with your parents? Could he win his way?
Bobby got his way only when the folks thought that whatever it was was right for him and within reason.

Did Bobby read a lot?
He read the usual books on boats, airplanes and science, plus what he had to read for his school work.

Was Bobby a good loser when he was young? Is he now?
Bobby wasn't a very good loser if he constantly lost at a game. If he won one out of fifty he was happy. He loses very gracefully now. He'll laugh and say "I guess it's just a bad day for me!"

Do you think the difference in your ages created any major problems for you and Bobby? If so, what were they and how were they resolved?
No, in fact, I think the difference made me appreciate him more.

Did you borrow things from each other?
Just games and skates and maybe a pencil now and then.

When you learned to drive did Bobby want you to always take him places? Did he expect you to?
Bobby on various occasions asked me to take him to a boyfriend's house or to town to buy something, but he never really expected me to. I usually did take him though.

Did you ever tease Bobby about being your "little" brother?
I don't remember teasing him, but I'm sure at one time or another I must have. I don't know of a brother or sister that hasn't teased one another about being the youngest.

Do you remember your reaction when your parents told you that you would have a brother or sister? Which did you want?
Yes, I remember my reaction very well and I was extremely happy with the prospect of a baby. I was sure that it would be a boy.

What sort of gags does he pull on you today?
Bobby doesn't pull any gags, except one day he came in the door and said he had just received the greatest reviews and was really going places. With that I hear laughter coming from his coat pocket. He had one of those battery-operated continuous laugh machines in there.

Was Bobby openly affectionate with the family when he was a child? Is he now?
Yes, Bobby is very affectionate with us. Now and when he was small.

How is it that he is still called Bobby instead of just Bob?
For one thing, our dad is Bob, which makes Bobby a Jr. So we just have always called him Bobby.

How does Bobby keep your children entertained when he visits you?
He gets down on the floor and romps with Bobby and Mary-Ann, and he usually talks about music with Michael. With Debbie, he often talks about affairs of the world in general or about school.

How do they react toward him?
It's funny, when they see him on TV they get all excited but when he's around them he's just plain Uncle Bobby.

How did you feel when Bobby was born?
I felt that he was all mine and that I loved him very much.

Do you remember any event that made him super happy or very sad?
About being very happy, I think that would be when he got his trumpet and was signed for "Shindig" and the "Brides". Very sad would be when he had to have his favorite pet, Susie, put to sleep.

Bobby's supposed to be a pretty good cook. Has he ever prepared a dinner for you? If so, can you tell us about it?
He tried making several concoctions when I was still living at home, but the only thing that was edible was popcorn. He hasn't fixed me anything recently so I couldn't tell you if he has improved or not.

Did Bobby trust you with secrets when he was a child? Does he now?
Just secrets like what he had bought the folks for Christmas and birthdays.

What is your personal opinion of him as a performer?
I think that he is absolutely fantastic, and I can see him up there with the top personalities. His talents are unlimited. I'm sure that before he ever retires from show business he will have covered every field in the business - from in front of the cameras to behind them. Producer, director, singer and actor will be his ambition, and I'm sure that he will be the best in all these fields. He's the greatest friend and brother a girl could ever have. I'm sorry that everyone can't be in my place to see him as I have seen him, and know him as I know him.