“The Way I Walk”, Robert Gordon, RIP

This way: The Way I Walk

Robert Gordon (March 29, 1947 – October 18, 2022) was an American rockabilly singer. Gordon grew up in Bethesda, Maryland, United States, the son of Arlene and Samuel Gordon, an administrative law judge. His family was Jewish. At the age of nine, he was greatly inspired by the Elvis Presley song "Heartbreak Hotel" playing on radio and decided to pursue a career as a rock and roll musician at that young age. Along with Elvis, Gordon's influences included Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran among other notable rock 'n roll music artists of the period.

Gordon made his recording debut at age 17 in 1964 with a group called the Confidentials. He was also actively performed with the Newports in his teenage years. At the age of 19 he got married, and shortly after had two children.

When asked how he related to the 1960s, Gordon replied "I didn't." He did not care much for the British Invasion but he identified with soul singers such as James Brown and Otis Redding whom he saw, among other great R&B acts, performing at Washington, D.C.'s famous Howard Theatre. During the turbulent times of the late 1960s, with the rioting and antiwar protests of the period, Gordon served in the National Guard in Washington, D.C. "I didn't want to be sent to Vietnam," he recalls.

Punk rock

By 1970, Gordon had relocated his family to New York City with the intent of operating a clothing boutique. His focus shifted to the punk rock scene at the nightclub CBGB. He became a member of the punk-pop band Tuff Darts. During 1976, the Tuff Darts recorded "All for the Love of Rock and Roll", "Head over Heels", and "Slash" for a compilation album called Live at CBGB's, which included a number of other local New York City bands. 

[Spotify] The Way I Walk