Bobby-Bland-Obituary

Bobby "Blue" Bland

Obituary

GRENADA, Miss. (AP) — Bobby "Blue" Bland, a distinguished singer who blended Southern blues and soul in songs such as "Turn on Your Love Light" and "Further On Up the Road," died Sunday. He was 83.

Rodd Bland said his father died due to complications from an ongoing illness at his Memphis, Tenn., home. He was surrounded by relatives.

Bland was known as the "the Sinatra of the blues" and was heavily influenced by Nat King Cole, often recording with lavish arrangements to accompany his smooth vocals. He even openly imitated Frank Sinatra on the "Two Steps From the Blues" album cover, standing in front of a building with a coat thrown over his shoulder.

"He brought a certain level of class to the blues genre," said Lawrence "Boo" Mitchell, son of legendary musician and producer Willie Mitchell.

Bland was a contemporary of B.B. King's, serving as the blues great's valet and chauffer at one point, and was one of the last of the living connections to the roots of the genre. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and was an influence on scores of young rock 'n' rollers.

Born in Rosemark, Tenn., he moved to nearby Memphis as a teenager and became a founding member of the Beale Streeters, a group that also included King and Johnny Ace. Upon his induction, the Rock Hall of Fame noted Bland was "second in stature only to B.B. King as a product of Memphis' Beale Street blues scene."

After a stint in the Army, he recorded with producer Sam Phillips, who helped launch the careers of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, in the early 1950s with little to show for it. It wasn't until later that decade Bland began to find success.

He scored his first No. 1 on the R&B charts with "Further On Up the Road" in 1957 and it was around this time he got his nickname, taken from his song "Little Boy Blue" because his repertoire focused so closely on lovelorn subject matter. Beginning with "I'll Take Care of You" in early 1960, Bland released a dozen R&B hits in a row. That string included "Turn On Your Love Light" in 1961.

Some of his best-known songs included "Call on Me" and "That's the Way Love Is," both released in 1963, and "Ain't Nothing You Can Do" in 1964.

"Lead Me On," another well-known song, breaks the listener's heart with the opening lines: "You know how it feels, you understand/What it is to be a stranger, in this unfriendly land."

Bland wasn't as well known as some of his contemporaries, but was no less an influential figure for early rock 'n' roll stars. Many of his songs, especially "Further On Up the Road" and "I Pity the Fool," were recorded by young rockers, including David Bowie and Eric Clapton.

"He's always been the type of guy that if he could help you in any way, form or fashion, he would," Rodd Bland said.

ADRIAN SAINZ,Associated Press


Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Guest Book

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Mr Bland ,my mother love you ,an she got me loving you too .I'm 67 now ,I'm still playing your music, my mother pass away 9 years ago, she was 90,an she would be 99 now,great music,with BBK too she love you both an many more an Brook Benton ,Thank you for wonderful music.

"The world cares very little about what a MAN or WOMAN knows; it is what the MAN or WOMAN is able to do" (Booker T. Washington). Respectfully submitted by: Artemus Flagg, Ph. D. of Charlotte, North Carolina

My Condolences to family and friend, I Love him, and play his music that best

I saw Bobby "BLUE" Bland when he came to Charlotte during the "Blues is Alright Tour" several years ago. Other performers who accompanied him on the tour were in AWE just to be in his presence!!! Mr. Bobby "BLUE" Bland is still the MAN...up there jamming with BB King...singing "Let the Good Times Roll." "Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way" (Booker T. Washington). "Gray skies are just clouds passing over" (Duke...

Thank you Mr. Bobby Blue Bland for all your one of kind beautiful music. God rest your soul. I'm just a fan who grew up and still listen to my old roots. Thank you again

Mr. Bobby "Blue" Bland...THE MAN!!! A MAN of VELVET and STEEL!!! Have you and B. B. King been singing "Let the good times roll?" "Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way" (Booker T. Washington). "Gray skies are just clouds passing over" (Duke Ellington). Respectfully submitted by: Artemus Flagg, Ph. D. of Charlotte, NC (Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity)

I'm Ms Margeaux Wright from the Wright Creole Plantation descendants, now living in Hollywood CA I attended a concert of Sir Bobby Blue Bland in 1985 in California with my Favorite Brother Quincton C Vickers of Little Rock Arkansas,our favorite Blues Singer is Mr Bobby Blue Bland..He such a gracious person. I'm blessed to know his works,and the memories of sharing his music on stage and on vinyl with All my Love ones,will go on eternally,like the joy Mr. Bland has left for US to hear,will be...

I´m 70 years of age and have enjoyed this man´s singing all my life. I feel as though I lost a member of my family. I will cherish his voice forever!

Growing up, Bobby Bland was one of my favorite Blues Artists. His songs and voice were so unique. My Condolences to the family. May you Rest In Peace....