It was a mere 35 years ago this past Valentine’s Day that singer/showman Bobby Vickers decided to inhabit an alter ego he fittingly dubbed Bud E. Luv. “Mr. Luv,” as he’s known to the always deferential members of his ensemble, modestly named The Bud E. Luv Orchestra. Now, at the behest of Tom Donald, founder of San Francisco’s hiTrecords, Bud E. Luv has recorded “Music To Watch Girls By.”
It was Donald’s idea to record the Bud E. Luv version of the song that was a hit twice in the late ‘60s, the Bob Crewe Generation’s top 15 instrumental version and Andy Williams’ top 40 vocal version. He commented, “Our view is that people are going to be people and do what people do. Naturally, and irrespective of changing societal mores, meaning we’re going to look at each other, and appreciate what we see, regardless of age, appearance, or anything else. The world is meant to be recognized, valued and respected. Mr. Luv understands the dynamic between people; he’s lived long enough and seen enough of the world to know that it’s not about degrading the visage, but instead honoring and celebrating it in all its forms.”