• ABOUT
    • Contact
    • The Team
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Events
    • FAQ
    • Use & Privacy Policy
  • ADVERTISE
  • ROWFAX
  • THE SPORTS CREDENTIAL
  • JOB LISTINGS
MusicRow.com
  • CALENDARS
    • Album/EP Releases
    • Single/Track Releases
    • Industry Events
  • OBITS
  • CHARTS
    • Radio Chart (Current)
    • Radio Chart (Archives)
    • No. 1 Challenge Coin
    • Songwriter Chart (Current)
    • Songwriter Chart (Archives)
  • REVIEWS
  • MY STORY
  • NEWSLETTER
    • Newsletter (Current)
    • SIGN UP (FREE!)
    • Newsletter (Archives)
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • STORE
  • Search
  • Menu Menu

LifeNotes: Pop/Country Stylist Floyd Robinson Passes

June 3, 2016/by Robert K Oermann
Floyd Robinson

Floyd Robinson

Floyd Robinson, best known for his 1959 top-20 pop hit “Makin’ Love,” has died at age 83.

Born in 1932, Robinson was a Nashville native who decided on a career in music while he was still a youngster. He formed his first band, The Eagle Rangers, and the group entertained at local teen dance parties and school functions. While he was still in high school, Robinson had his own radio shows on WLAC and WSM.

The Eagle Rangers served as the touring band for such stars as George Jones, Jim Reeves, Eddy Arnold and Jimmy Dickens. They also appeared on the Grand Ole Opry.

In 1958, Floyd Robinson wrote the novelty song “The Little Space Girl.” It was recorded by his cousin, Jesse Lee Turner, and became a pop hit.

The following year, Chet Atkins signed Robinson to RCA Records and produced “Makin’ Love.” The song was particularly popular overseas and had cover versions recorded in French, German, Dutch, Italian and Spanish.

RCA released the Floyd Robinson LP in the wake of that hit, but the singer-songwriter never charted again. He continued to record teen-oriented singles for the labels Jamie, Dot, Groove and United Artists in the 1960s.

In 1973, Robinson resurfaced as the inventor of “Christian animal music.” During the next few years, he issued at least 14 LPs of children’s evangelical music.

Among the titles were Charlie the Hamster Sings the Ten Commandments, Ricky the Cricket Bible Songs, The Adventures of Bernie the Billy Goat: Songs for Sunday School, Woody Woodchuck Sings Bible Stories, Charlie the Hamster Sings Christmas Songs, Barney the Bear Sings Bible Stories and The Adventures of Finley the Fish.

In 1977, the estate of David Seville (Ross Bagdasarian) sued Robinson because his recordings supposedly sounded too much like The Chipmunks. The matter was settled out of court, and Robinson discontinued making his animal records.

In the 1990s, Floyd Robinson published two books, 1992’s instruction manual Guitar Playing Made Easy and 1994’s novel The Guitar. His teen-pop records were reissued on CD in 1994.

Floyd Robinson died on May 28. He is survived by his wife Joyce, daughters Sherry Peacock and Donna Decker, brother William, four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

All services will be private. For online condolences, please visit hendersonvillefh.com.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Robert K Oermann
Robert K Oermann
Robert K. Oermann is a longtime contributor to MusicRow. He is a respected music critic, author and historian.
Robert K Oermann
Latest posts by Robert K Oermann (see all)
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Late Jimmy Buffett ‘Encourages Optimism & Hope’ - September 28, 2023
  • All-Around Nashville Music Man Mike Henderson Passes - September 25, 2023
  • Ringo Starr Honored At Musicians Hall Of Fame - September 25, 2023
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share by Mail
https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Robinson-Obit-Photo-360x480-1.jpg 480 360 Robert K Oermann https://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.png Robert K Oermann2016-06-03 13:18:062016-06-03 13:18:06LifeNotes: Pop/Country Stylist Floyd Robinson Passes
0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

RECENT NEWS

  • New IRS Rule Affects Concert Ticket Resellers September 29, 2023
  • Neil Medley Shares His Stories On Debut Project, ‘South End Kid’ September 29, 2023
  • Worldwide Stages Announces Investment Opportunity In Its Production Campus September 29, 2023
  • In Pictures: Coastal Country Jam Closes Summer With Star-Studded Lineup September 29, 2023
  • First-Ever ‘People’s Choice Country Awards’ Airs Live From Nashville [Recap] September 29, 2023
  • Fifth Annual Charlie Daniels Patriot Awards Raises $400K For U.S. Military Vets September 29, 2023
  • Morgan Wallen Adds Multiple Nights In Several Markets For 2024 Tour September 29, 2023
  • Brittney Spencer Slates Debut Album ‘My Stupid Life’ For January September 29, 2023
  • Dylan Scott Earns MusicRow No. 1 With ‘Can’t Have Mine’ September 29, 2023
  • Billy Strings, Molly Tuttle Among Winners At 34th Annual IBMA Bluegrass Music Awards September 29, 2023
  • 2023 People’s Choice Country Awards Winners – Complete List September 29, 2023
  • DISClaimer Single Reviews: The Late Jimmy Buffett ‘Encourages Optimism & Hope’ September 28, 2023
  • Industry Ink: Wasserman Music, Merle Travis, Equal Access, More September 28, 2023
  • Shania Twain’s Multi-Platinum ‘Greatest Hits’ Makes Vinyl Debut In November September 28, 2023
  • IBMA Honors 2023 Industry Awards Recipients September 28, 2023

Like Us on Facebook

Follow Us on Twitter

Tweets by MusicRow
© 2023 Music Row Enterprises, LLC – All rights reserved.
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
Scroll to top