Second Star to the Right and Straight on till Morning

Once upon a time there was a young boy who couldn’t and wouldn’t grow old, because to grow old meant you had to one day die. Who wants to do that when you can learn to fly, lead a group of misfits or fight a pirate with a hook for a hand? Everyone knows the story. Peter Pan marks a special place for folks, both young and old. Now imagine being a part of it–a part of Neverland, a part of the Lost Boys, a part of the legend. This is exactly what child actor Bobby Driscoll was–he was Peter Pan–at least in movie form. Bobby was the voice and the live action model for Peter in Disney’s 1953 animated version of the classic tale. Bobby’s story is the main inspiration for DC artist Benjy Ferree’s new album, “Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee.”

You see, Bobby Driscoll’s story is a tale of irony, sadness and heartache. The young actor who had a brilliant career with Disney, even earning an Academy Award, soon learned that real boys do grow up. And real boys have to deal with adolescent things, like puberty and acne. In fact, a severe case of acne is what eventually led to Disney’s termination of Bobby’s contract and eventual parting of ways. Adjusting back to life in a world deprived of movie sets, adoring fans and a cute child’s face proved more than challenging for Bobby. His late adolescent years leading into adulthood were marred by drug abuse and eventually culminated in a prison sentence in California. After his release from prison, and a failed attempt at a comeback, he then moved to NYC and was briefly a part of Andy Warhol’s art community, The Factory. No one knows what happened to Bobby after that. Then in 1968, two boys who were playing in the East Village found what later turned out to be Bobby’s body. At the time, the body could not be identified because there was no ID and no one to claim the body. He was just a nameless homeless man who died alone after years of abusing drugs. And that’s exactly how he was buried – just another dead hobo in an unmarked grave. Bobby was just 31 years old. It took another year and a half before fingerprints proved it was his body in that unmarked grave.

Benjy Ferree, like many people, loved (and was possibly obsessed with) what Bobby Driscoll had done. But like many people, he never knew what happened to the young boy who had brightened so many lives. Discovery of his morbid and tragic outcome sparked inspiration. Benjy, like Bobby, had once lived in California trying to make a career out of acting. Benjy said the experience, for an already insecure person, magnified those insecurities and that’s where music came in. Growing up in P.G. County, he was always singing in the church, which is probably where his singing style was born from. His voice is so unique, yet feels familiar at the same time. And the music has such a vintage feel to it. It’s almost like you’re listening to something that’s been sitting on a 2″ tape for ages, just waiting to be discovered. When hearing his music for the first time, you might glance over to check what year it came out, only to find it copyrighted 2009. I’ve seen his music called “Americana,” I’ve seen it called “off-center pop,” but really all I want to call it is “Rock and Roll.” It’s good, damn good…but we’ll get to that later. This is Benjy’s second album and also his second release after signing with Domino Records. Yes, the same Domino Records with acts like Animal Collective, Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand, etc.

This album is also Benjy’s first release with a full band in tow. I can only imagine that one of the requirements to be in this band is possessing some serious singing chops because this record is filled with harmonies a-plenty. You get a taste of those harmonies to come after just the first three chords in the opening track “Tired of Being Good.” You’ll also be able to catch Bobby Driscoll references in the chorus: “I’m tired of being good you know I want to be bad/ but I cry when Jiminy won’t call my name/ in the name of Lost Boys everywhere and Marilyn Jean/ I don’t care if they don’t like me/ but they’re still the very best.” Next up is probably the strongest track on the album, “Fear.” If you’re not a fan by the time this song is over you must hate music and I have no idea why you’re reading this. Okay, maybe that’s a little overboard, but it is a mesmerizing track and just has so much soul to it – we’re talking old school, Motown, doo-wop soul. When the song ends you’re almost disappointed that it only clocks in at just under three minutes… that is until the next track starts. “Big Business” follows and quickly reverts back to good ol’ rock and roll and back to Bobby, even referencing his “pot marked skin.”

I don’t want you to get the wrong impression here. Benjy has said this isn’t a concept album. Sure, Bobby Driscoll is the meat and potatoes of this record, but you also can find many aspects taken from Benjy’s life as well. The song “Pisstopher Chrisstopher” is about a late friend of Benjy’s and there are numerous references to his old church school days from which he was expelled more than once. “Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee” may not be a concept album per se, but most of the time it paints a portrait of a beloved child star who it seems the world punished for something every single one of us must do: grow up. Now we know what little Peter was talking about. Bring out the pixie dust.

Other “Come Back to the Five and Dime Bobby Dee Bobby Dee” standouts include:

• Blown Out
• I Get No Love
• When You’re 16