Bob Lind (born Robert Neale Lind, November 25, 1942, Baltimore, Maryland) is an American folk music singer-songwriter who reached the height of his success during the 1960s. Lind is best known for his transatlantic chart hit single, "Elusive Butterfly",[1] which reached #5 on both the US and UK charts in 1966.
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Lind signed a recording contract with Liberty Records' subsidiary, World Pacific Records, in 1965, and it was on that label that he recorded "Elusive Butterfly." The single may have done even better on the UK Singles Chart had there not been competition from established Irish recording artist Val Doonican, who released a cover version of the song at the same time. In the end, both versions of "Elusive Butterfly" made #5 in the UK in the spring of 1966.[2][3] Lind also wrote "Cheryl's Goin' Home", which was covered by Adam Faith. It was Faith's last British hit.
Over 200 artists - including Sonny Bono, Cher, Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, The Four Tops, Richie Havens, Hoyt Axton, Blues Project, The Cascades, and Petula Clark - have covered songs written by Lind,[4] but as a recording artist, he remains a one-hit wonder.
Lind retired from the music industry in 1969 to pursue other interests. In more recent years he has resided in Florida and works as a writer. He is the author of five novels, and has written for such supermarket tabloids as the Weekly World News and the Sun.[5]
Lind returned to music in 2004, when he began performing again and established an official website.[6] In 2006, RPM Records re-issued the album Since There Were Circles, and in 2007, Ace Records (UK) released Elusive Butterfly: The Complete 1966 Jack Nitzsche Sessions.
The British band, Pulp, have a song named after him: "Bob Lind (The Only Way Is Down)", from their album, We Love Life. A Lind recording, "Cool Summer" was also included on the compilation album, The Trip, compiled by Pulp's Jarvis Cocker and Steve Mackey.