16 Magazine - August 1970

My Hidden Desire

What is Bobby hiding?!  What is the secret desire he nourishes deep down inside him?  Read on and find out - cos it concerns each and every one of you!!

Everyone keeps telling me to slow down my pace and take it easy.   They can't seem to understand why I am always on the go - taping television shows, recording and constantly traveling to make "in person" appearances.   "Why do you push yourself so hard?", they ask me.  "Don't you ever save some time just for fun?"

I truly appreciate the fact that these people worry about me, but I can't take their advice and slow down.  It's not quite that simple.  You see, show business is more than just a career to me - it's my life!  I don't lose out on fun, cos to me - my work is the best kind of fun there is!  I truly love every hectic minutes of it, and although I do admit that all the traveling I do can sometimes get very tiring - I can't stop!

MEETING YOU! - The reason I can't stop is not easy to explain.  It's as though I'm being driven by a compelling desire deep down inside me.  This hidden desire gives me the energy and the ambition to keep going, and the reason I can't stop is that every time I go somewhere and do a concert - there's always another place I haven't been!  But even more important - there are always more people left to meet.  Any my hidden desire is to meet each and every one of you!

Meeting you can happen in several ways.  Many times I may be able to stop and talk to you.  Other times you may hand me a note as I rush through the stage door - and, then again, we may just exchange a hurried but friendly "hello".   It really doesn't matter how brief our meeting is.  The important thing is we do have the opportunity to share a personal moment together.  These moments are special to me and - from your letters - I know they can mean a great deal to you too.   That's why I say - I don't want to slow down!  I always have done - and I always will do - as many concerts as possible!

YOU TURN ME ON! - I love all aspects of entertaining, but there's something so extra special about playing to a live audience.  No mater how exhausted I may be, when I go out there on stage - you turn me on!  I get an overwhelming feeling - and this feeling, like love, can't be described in words.  I guess that's because it is like being in love, but it's much more overpowering than loving just one person - it's being in love with all of you!

I truly believe that I am happiest when I am on stage.  The reason I'm so happy is that you are out there, and no matter how many people are sitting there with you or how bright the lights may be - I do see you!  I look at every single face and try to make contact with each and every one of you.  Our eyes may meet only for a split second, but somehow that moment becomes unforgettable and means more to me than I could ever say.

GROOVING TOGETHER - I don't mean to sound conceited.  Maybe I've just been lucky that every audience I've played to has been so responsive.  But I think it's more than luck.  I honestly believe that we're all sharing special moments together.  I really dig it when you scream, jump up on stage or show me that you're having a good time.  It's all these things you do that turn me on!  And because you respond - I know that you are turned on too!   Then we groove together and I can honestly say - it builds to the highest peak of excitement imaginable, with each one of us (no matter how many people are there) sharing an experience of love and happiness with each other!

Maybe working so hard and coming to your home town is my way of telling you, "I love you!"  I kind of think you get that message from all the groovy things you say and do.  But just in case you didn't know - I thought it was about time I revealed my hidden desire to meet you!  I know there are lots of places left for me to visit, and so many people I want to meet, but one day - hopefully, this summer - I'm gonna find you!