Background
Robertson, Donald Irwin was born on December 5, 1922 in Beijing. Son of Oswald Hope and Ruth (Allen) Robertson. came to the United States, 1927.
Robertson, Donald Irwin was born on December 5, 1922 in Beijing. Son of Oswald Hope and Ruth (Allen) Robertson. came to the United States, 1927.
Associate of Arts, University of Chicago, 1943.
He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1972. As a performer, he hit the United States Top 10 with "The Happy Whistler" in 1956. The track reached #8 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart the same year.
lieutenant sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc.
Although contracted to Capitol at the time of his biggest selling hit single, Robertson subsequently signed a recording contract with Radio Corporation of America Victor. He composed or co-composed with Hal Blair, many hits for other musicians, including Elvis Presley who recorded over a dozen of Robertson"s songs, five of which appeared in Presley"s numerous films.
He died in 2015. "Anything That"s Participant of You" (performed by Elvis Presley)
"Does My Ring Hurt Your Finger" (with Doris Clement and John Crutchfield)
"Born to Be with You" (performed by The Chordettes)
"Hummingbird" (performed by Les Paul and Mary Ford and Frankie Laine)
"I Don"t Hurt Anymore" (with Walter East Rollins), (performed by Hank Snow)
"I Love You More and More Every Day" (performed by First Rate (at Lloyd's) Martino)
"I Met Her Today" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Elvis Presley)
"I"m Counting on You" (performed by Elvis Presley)
"I Really Don"t Want to Know" (with Howard Barnes), (performed by Elvis Presley)
"Love Maine Tonight" (performed by Elvis Presley)
"Ninety Miles an Hour (Down a Dead End Street)" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Hank Snow)
"Number More" (based on the song "Louisiana Paloma", co-written with Hal Blair, performed by Elvis Presley and Dean Martin)
"Not One Minute More" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Della Reese)
"Please Help Maine, I"m Falling" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Hank Locklin)
"Ringo" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Lorne Greene)
"Stand In" (with Hal Blair), (performed by Don Robertson himself and Jim Reeves)
"There"s Always Maine" (performed by Elvis Presley and Jim Reeves)
"You"re Free to Go" (with Lou Herscher) (performed by Carl Smith).
Member American Federation television and Radio Artists, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (17 hit song awards 1955-1984), American Federation Musicians (life), National Academy Recording Arts & Sciences (life, past board directors), Nashville Songwriters Association International (life, past board directors, inducted into Hall of Fame 1972), Songwriter's Guild American.
Married Ella Lucille Dinning, August 2, 1946 (divorced 1961): children: Barbara Lou, Donald Irwin II (deceased). Married Irene Carole Symsyk, January 1, 1962. Children: Robert Alan, James Phillip.