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Bobby Bland

 



Bobby Bland | Uncredited/Daily Telegraph | tc374

Singer Robert Calvin “Bobby” Brooks (Bobby Bland) was born in Barretville, Tennessee, on January 27, 1930. He is primarily known for his recordings for the Duke label of Houston. 

Bland studied, and was inspired by, the preachings of the Reverend C.L. Franklin, and the singing of Nat King Cole. The style he developed mixed gospel, blues, R&B and soul. He was discovered by Ike Turner who was the first person to record him. The Chess recording is from around 1951 and was recorded by Sun Records of Memphis. Shortly afterwards he was called up for Army Service, which he spent singing in an Army band. After service he signed with Duke Records. His first chart success was "Farther up the road" in 1957.

He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981. 

Bobby Bland died in Germantown, Memphis, Tennessee, on June 23, 2013, after a long illness.

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