Bobby Lewis - Naptown's biggest rock and roll star

March 10, 2024

This week on Echoes of Indiana Avenue, explore the music of Bobby Lewis, Indianapolis’ biggest rock and roll star. His 1961 single “Tossin’ and Turnin’” topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 7 straight weeks. 

Bobby Lewis was 36 years old when “Tossin’ and Turnin’” hit the charts. Success had not come easy for the singer. Lewis was born in Indianapolis in 1925 and spent his early years in an orphanage. At age 12 Lewis was adopted and moved to Detroit with his foster parents. But by age 18, he was back in Indianapolis. 

Lewis became a star on Indiana Avenue during the early 1950s, appearing at venues including George’s Bar and the Walker Casino. In 1952, Lewis was nominated as “best male singer” in the Indianapolis Recorder’s entertainment poll. That was also the year he issued his debut single for Chicago’s Chess Records.