ZydecoOnline Remembers Bobby "Blue" Bland

ZydecoOnline Remembers Bobby "Blue" Bland

Soul & Blues Legend & Lion of the Blues
Transitions at 83

June 23, 2013

by Rod Sias
www.ZydecoOnline.com
#ZydecoNation

Robert Calvin "Bobby" Bland

Bobby "Blue" Bland

Lion Of The Blues

Soul & Blues Legend

January 27, 1930 – June 23, 2013

Mr. Bobby "Blue" Bland, one of the Soul and Blues Nation's most distinguished and recognized ambassadors passed away on Sunday, June 23, 2013 surrounded by relatives at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. According to his son, Rodd Bland, Mr. Bobby "Blue" Bland "died due to
to complications from an ongoing illness."

Mr. Bland's Soul and Blues musical legacy and career spanned an incredible 63 years beginning in the early 1950's earning him the title "The Lion Of The Blues." Mr. Bobby "Blue" Bland, known for his distinctive “squall” which he imitated from the great Reverend CL Franklin, recorded over 31 full albums, over 71 singles that included a string of Soul and Blues classics such as “I Pity the Fool”, “That’s The Way Love Is”, "Cry Cry Cry", "That's The Way Love Is", "Goin' Down Slow", "Stormy Monday", "Members Only" and "Turn On Your Love Light", which became a much-covered standard.

Bobby "Blue" Bland

"Members Only"

Born Robert Calvin "Bobby" Bland in the rural unincorporated residential and farm community of Rosemark, Tennessee, he embrace music at an early age. In 1947, he and his mother moved to Memphis, Tennessee and "Bobby" Bland began his musical career as a gospel singer in a local gospel group called The Miniatures where he learned his trademark blues snort by watching the spirited sermons of the Reverend C. L. Franklin, father of Aretha Franklin.

Mr. Bland competed in local talent contest and eventually began his love for Blues music when he began singing with the legendary Beale Streeters, a blues super group that included future blues legends B. B. King, Johnny Ace, Junior Parker, Roscoe Gordon and Earl Forrest.

Mr. Bobby "Blue" Bland became a staple on the chitlin' circuit with Junior Parker and his band, the Blue Flames from 1957 to 1961. He eventually started his solo career and teamed up with the multi-talented band leader, song writer, and arranger, Mr. Joe Scott and guitarist Wayne Bennett, who helped perfect Bobby Bland's big band sound.

Mr. Bobby "Blue" Bland was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992, and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Bobby "Blue" Bland

"Stormy Monday"

Thank You Mr. Bobby "Blue" Bland For Keeping Our Soul and Blues Roots Proud and Strong!!!

Robert Calvin "Bobby" Bland

Bobby "Blue" Bland

Lion Of The Blues

Soul & Blues Legend

January 27, 1930 – June 23, 2013

10:00 AM