Introduction
Bobby Hendricks (born in 1938, in Columbus, Ohio) is an American singer-songwriter who built his reputation by being a member of The Swallows, The Flyers, and the Drifters. After his short tenure with the Drifters, Hendricks went for a solo career in 1958. He charted two solo singles: one was “Itchy Twitchy Feeling” and another was “Psycho.” It was “Itchy Twitchy Feeling” that gained him some prominence. It went to the Hot 100’s Top 40 chart during the late 50s music era, and was later covered by his former band The Drifters. The novelty song “Psycho” was only a minor hit in 1960. He rejoined the Drifters (or Bill Pinkney’s The Original Drifters) in 1964, and became their lead singer for many years until 2008.
Hendricks’ singing and recording career
Known mainly by his two charting singles “Itchy, Twitchy Feeling” and “Psycho,” American R&B singer Bobby Hendricks was born February 22, 1938 in Columbus, Ohio. He was also became a member of the groups The Swallows, The Flyers and The Drifters where he was the lead singer. In 1958, he left The Drifters to pursue a solo career and went on to have a moderately successful one.
As a solo artist, Hendricks released the single “Itchy Twitchy Feeling” in 1958. The single became a hit; it peaked at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #5 on the R&B singles chart. “Itchy Twitchy Feeling” was later covered by his former band The Drifters also in the same year.
Hendrick’s follow-up single “Psycho” was his only other charting hit. “Psycho” reached its peak position at #73 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1960. The novelty song tells of a conversation between a psychiatrist and a patient. Dr. Jive (Tommy Smalls), a disc jockey in New York City, provided the voice of the psychiatrist on that song.
Despite having two hit singles, Hendricks was not able to hold a consistent career even when joined The Drifters again in 1964. The group would then become Bill Pinkney’s Original Drifters. From then on he had worked as the band’s lead singer (although intermittently) through the late 2000’s, mostly performing for the oldies music circuit.