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Bobby Blue Bland

Biography

Bobby "Blue" Bland, born Robert Calvin Bland on January 27, 1930, in Rosemark, Tennessee, emerged as one of the most influential voices in blues and soul music. Moving to Memphis as a youth, he was drawn to the vibrant Beale Street scene, where he performed with gospel groups and mingled with future legends like B.B. King and Johnny Ace as part of the Beale Streeters. Bland's career began in earnest in the early 1950s, though it was briefly interrupted by military service. Upon his return, he signed with Duke Records, where his partnership with bandleader and arranger Joe Scott helped define his sophisticated, horn-driven sound.

Bland's musical style blended blues, gospel, and soul, marked by his rich baritone, emotional delivery, and a signature vocal "squall" inspired by gospel preacher Rev. C.L. Franklin. His hits—such as "Farther Up the Road," "Turn On Your Love Light," "I Pity the Fool," and "Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City"—spanned from the late 1950s through the 1980s, earning him over 60 charting singles and crossover appeal. He was known for his smooth phrasing, passionate intensity, and ability to bridge the gap between rural blues and urban soul, creating a sound that resonated with the postwar African American middle class.

Bland's legacy is cemented by his induction into both the Blues Hall of Fame (1981) and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1992), as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. He continued to tour and record into the 21st century, influencing generations of artists across blues, soul, and popular music before his death on June 23, 2013, in Germantown, Tennessee.

Fun Facts

  • Bland developed his signature vocal 'squall' after listening to gospel preacher Rev. C.L. Franklin, Aretha Franklin's father.
  • He won a $5 amateur contest prize at Memphis's Palace Theater, a key early milestone for many local legends.
  • Bland was known for snorting audibly between vocal lines during performances, a quirky habit that became part of his stage persona.
  • Despite his fame, Bland rarely played instruments or wrote songs, focusing instead on his vocal interpretation and performance.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Rev. C.L. Franklin - Inspired Bland's signature vocal 'squall' style, blending gospel with blues. (Influence evident throughout Bland's vocal performances) [1950s onward]
  • Andy Williams - Bland admired and was influenced by the smooth phrasing of pop balladeers like Williams. (General stylistic influence) [1950s-1960s]

Key Collaborators

  • B.B. King - Early collaborator as part of the Beale Streeters; later reunited for joint albums and tours. (Beale Streeters, joint albums and tours (1970s-2000s)) [1950s, 1970s-2000s]
  • Joe Scott - Band leader and arranger who shaped Bland's signature sound at Duke Records. (Arrangements on hits like 'Farther Up the Road', 'I Pity the Fool') [1950s-1960s]
  • Wayne Bennett - Guitarist featured on many of Bland's classic recordings. (Studio and live performances, especially on Duke Records releases) [Late 1950s-1960s]
  • Johnny Ace - Fellow Beale Streeter and early Memphis collaborator. (Beale Streeters performances) [Early 1950s]

Artists Influenced

  • Jay-Z - Sampled Bland's 'Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City' for his 2001 album. (The Blueprint (2001)) [2001]
  • Whitesnake - Covered 'Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City', introducing Bland's music to rock audiences. (Live performances and recordings) [1978 onward]
  • Van Morrison - Performed and toured with Bland; cited him as a vocal influence. (Live collaborations) [1990s-2000s]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Dreamer 1974-01-01 Album
I Pity The Fool: The Duke Recordings, Vol. One 1992-12-22 Album
Turn On Your Love Light: The Duke Recordings Volume 2 1994-04-26 Album
Midnight Run 1989-07-07 Album
That's It! / Duke Recordings Vol. III 1996-01-01 Album
His California Album 1973 Album
Members Only 1985-10-14 Album
The Anthology 2001-06-05 Album
Together Again .... Live 1976-01-01 Album
Together For The First Time...Live 1974-01-01 Album
Call On Me / That's The Way Love Is 1963-01-01 Album
Two Steps From The Blues 2001-02-27 Album
Blues At Midnight 2003-10-15 Album
Blues & Ballads 1999-01-01 Album
After All 1986-11-05 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City - Single Version (Dreamer)
  2. Ain't No Love In The Heart Of The City - Single Version (Music For Groovin')
  3. I'll Take Care Of You (I Pity The Fool: The Duke Recordings, Vol. One)
  4. I Wouldn't Treat A Dog (The Way You Treated Me) - Single Version (Dreamer)
  5. Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone (Midnight Run)
  6. Stormy Monday Blues - Single Version (Turn On Your Love Light: The Duke Recordings Volume 2)
  7. Driftin' Blues - Single Version (That's It! / Duke Recordings Vol. III)
  8. Members Only (Members Only)
  9. Turn On Your Love Light (Turn On Your Love Light: The Duke Recordings Volume 2)
  10. Farther Up The Road (I Pity The Fool: The Duke Recordings, Vol. One)

References

  1. britannica.com
  2. blackpast.org
  3. memphismusichalloffame.com
  4. rockhall.com
  5. georgelamplugh.com
  6. americanbluesscene.com

Heard on WWOZ

Bobby Blue Bland has been played 9 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 18, 202515:27I Need Your Love So Badfrom Members OnlyBluesw/ DJ Giant
Dec 11, 202515:26Sweet Surrenderfrom Members OnlyBluesw/ DJ Giant
Nov 20, 202515:57I Caught The Blues From Someonefrom Blues At MidnightBluesw/ DJ Giant
Nov 20, 202515:27Members Onlyfrom Members OnlyBluesw/ DJ Giant
Nov 11, 202514:37I Need Your Love So Badfrom Members OnlySoul Serenadew/ Marc Stone
Nov 3, 202514:31St. James Infirmaryfrom VOLUME 2 FROM THE VAULTS OF DUKE/PEACOCKBlues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe
Oct 30, 202515:36Members Onlyfrom Members OnlyBluesw/ DJ Giant
Oct 30, 202515:07Heart Open Up Againfrom Members OnlyBluesw/ DJ Giant
Oct 9, 202514:56I Caught The Blues From Someonefrom Blues At MidnightBluesw/ DJ Giant