Born in Chicago at the end of the tumultuous 60s, David Robinson has spent many years and traveled extensively in his never-ending quest to find the true essence of comedy. Working late in his laboratory one fateful night in the mid-80s, Robinson’s search took him deep into the recesses of his own mind. This detour into the self led Robinson to the discovery that “comedy is where you make it . . .” and the decision that he must dedicate his life to making new comedy rather than merely researching the many artists whose work he had experienced on his quest. The detour also led him to an awesome pizzeria with free refills on soda and an amazing pinball machine with a very heavy tilt setting, but that’s another story for another time. As the Seventies turned into the Eighties, there was a resurgence of stand-up comedy in clubs, on television, and most importantly in the hearts of Americans. Though he was kept out of the clubs by a combination of his less than advanced age   and his    overprotective   Jewish    parents   Robinson’s photo: alana waters-doty quest was buoyed by the busy social schedule of his parents which allowed him to stay up late watching “Saturday Night Live,” Norm Crosby’s “Comedy Shop,” “Make Me Laugh” and U.K. Import “Kenny Everett’s Video Show.” The arrival of cable TV in the Chicago suburbs soon after exposed young Robinson to even more stand-up from the various comedy specials on Showtime and HBO as well as “An Evening at the Improv.” His late night viewing sessions led him to an understanding of what comedy was, what it could be, and perhaps most importantly -- how to recognize female nudity in the scrambled signal of cable channels his parents wouldn’t spring for. Though he had written song parodies to entertain friends and family throughout his youth, Robinson made his first significant mark on the cultural radar with two songs “Raining Needles” and “Wavin’ Gerbs” that were recorded by Chicago punk band Screeching Weasel for their self-titled demo, the latter an ode to the urban legends of the dangerous blend of beloved household pets and microwave ovens. Several years later he took to the airwaves on KCOU, a college radio station in Missouri, bringing his comedic talents and musical knowledge to a wider audience, with the creation of what ultimately became KCOU’s top-rated weekend morning show “Wake Up With Dave and Brent, Won’t You?” From there it didn’t take long before his humor and talent led the improv comedy troupe Monkeywrench Gang to his doorstep with an invitation to join their ranks. Robinson not only joined the group, he eventually became one of the leaders of the group as their name changed to American Scream – which also led to a position teaching improv comedy at Stephens College’s esteemed Summer Theater Institute. When Robinson made the jump into commercial radio, his naturally smooth speaking voice and ability to imitate various celebrity voices brought him to the production studios of Columbia AM/FM. After an impromptu re-write of an ad for a local restaurant met with great praise and even greater laughter, Robinson became the point man for Columbia AM/FM’s writing and production team, utilizing his vast knowledge of popular culture and comedic talents. Fast forward several years to Los Angeles at the turn of the century when Robinson attended a comedy show in a West Hollywood basement and asked himself, “Why am I not doing this?” In the subsequent years, audiences in and around Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City have answered that rhetorical question with a resounding chorus of “Are we supposed to answer that or is it rhetorical?” Robinson continues to entertain and is looking forward to the release of his debut CD, featuring such songs as “Do Jews Believe in Mistletoe,” “Kill Them With Kindness” and his latest composition, “Red Headed Hooker.” David Robinson can be reached at david@standupfalldown.com