Inducted - Los Angeles 2005
Throughout California, the name of Bob Samarzich is synonymous with tamburitza music and entertainment. His love of music and the tambura in particular was a gift from his mother, Katie (nee Nicolich), who spent her teen years in the San Pedro area – a tamburitzan’s paradise in the 1920s.
By the age of six, young Bob was fully engulfed in the world of entertainment. He was singing at cultural events, including the 1935 San Diego World’s Fair. By age seven, he was acting in small roles for major motion picture studios. In 1936, Bob appeared in “Under Your Spell”, directed by the late Otto Preminger. Other films followed, including “You Were Never Lovelier” (1942) starring Rita Hayworth, in which Bob delivered a singing telegram, “Tall in the Saddle” with John Wayne, and “Boy from Stalingrad” (1943), a Columbia Studios film in which Bob had the starring role.
Bob served in the Korean conflict (1950-1952), where his friends enjoyed the guitar he played so well. Upon his return to the States, Bob embarked on his journey of love and fascination with the tambura. He had great respect for the famous Crljenica Brothers Orchestra (Tamburitza Hall of Fame members Vaso, Steve and Paul). In 1956, Bob welcomed the opportunity to assist Hall of Fame member Ljubo Kolakovich in establishing the St. Steven’s Srpski Seljaci Tamburitza Orchestra. It was here that Bob mastered his skills playing the prima. He also served as the group’s President, soloist, and great enthusiast.
In 1957, Bob helped to form the Mladi Becari consisting of Bob on prima, Velma Milosevich on prima, Bob Likich on bugarija, and Smilka Likich on bass. The orchestra’s first appearance was at an American Legion picnic in 1957, where they were an absolute hit! The group even won first place at a May 1957 performance on “Rocket to Stardom”, a KTTV television show.
The Mladi Becari provided tamburitza entertainment for dances, innumerable parties, and weddings for almost 40 years. Some members of the group changed, but there was always one constant – its leader, Bob Samarzich. Bob never just plays the tambura, but always entertains with his fabulous voice and singular interpretation. His love of the music shines through, and the listener reaps the benefits from this ambassador of goodwill.
At the age of 76, Bob continues to entertain today. Special events, parties, holiday celebrations, and more – he especially enjoys playing weddings for children of those whose weddings he played a generation ago.
Bob is pleased that his children and grandchildren have joined in his love of the tamburitza, as he has demonstrated that it is only through teaching that the music will be perpetuated. Slavas, birthdays, christenings and holidays – one by one his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews bring out their tamburas and all join in. What greater reward in a man’s life than to witness the love of this beautiful music passed down to the next generation!
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