Robert Calvin Bland, b. January 27, 1930 in Rosemark, TN, d. June 23, 2013 in Memphis, TN. Having moved to Memphis with his mother, Bobby 'Blue' Bland started singing with local gospel groups, including the Miniatures. Eager to expand his interests, he began frequenting the city's infamous Beale Street, where he became associated with an ad hoc circle of aspiring musicians, named, not unnaturally, the Beale Streeters. Bland's recordings from the early 50s show him striving for individuality, but his progress was halted by a stint in the US Army. When the singer returned to Memphis in 1954 he found several of his former associates, including Johnny Ace, enjoying considerable success, while Bland's recording label, Duke, had been sold to Houston entrepreneur Don Robey. In 1956, Bland began touring with Junior Parker. Initially, he doubled as valet and driver, a role he reportedly performed for B.B. King, but simultaneously began asserting his characteristic vocal style. Melodic big-band blues singles, including 'Farther Up The Road' (1957) and 'Little Boy Blue' (1958), reached the US R&B Top 10, but Bland's vocal talent was most clearly heard on a series of superb early 60s releases, including 'Cry Cry Cry', 'I Pity The Fool' and the sparkling 'Turn On Your Lovelight', which was destined to become a much-covered standard. Despite credits to the contrary, many such classic works were written by Joe Scott, the artist's band leader and arranger.
Bland continued to enjoy a consistent run of R&B chart entries throughout the mid-60s, but his recorded work was nonetheless eclipsed by a younger generation of performers. Financial pressures forced the break-up of the group in 1968, and his relationship with Scott, who died in 1979, was irrevocably severed. Nonetheless, depressed and increasingly dependent on alcohol, Bland weathered this unhappy period. In 1971, his record company, Duke, was sold to the larger ABC Records group, resulting in several contemporary blues/soul albums including His California Album and Dreamer. Subsequent attempts at pushing the artist towards the disco market were unsuccessful, but a 1983 release, Here We Go Again, provided a commercial lifeline. Two years later Bland was signed by Malaco Records, specialists in traditional southern black music, who offered a sympathetic environment. One of the finest singers in post-war blues, Bobby Bland has failed to win the popular acclaim his influence and talent deserve, although there are signs in 2003 that his star in ascending with a strong selling album Blues At Midnight.
Bland continued performing until shortly before his death. He died on June 23, 2013, at his home in Germantown, Tennessee, a suburb of Memphis, after what family members described as "an ongoing illness". He was 83. After his death, his son told news media that Bland had recently told his son (Rodd) that musician James Cotton was his half-brother.
