Robert Calvin “Bobby” Brooks (Bobby Bland) was born in Barretville, Tennessee, on January 27, 1930. Robert dropped out of school in third grade and never completed his education. In 1947 he and his mother moved to Memphis, Tennessee. He started singing in gospel groups and got to know local blues musicians known as The Beale Streeters, including B B King and Johnny Ace.
He first recorded in 1951 when he was discovered by Ike Turner and recorded for Modern, recording “They call it stormy Monday” which was the one song he then knew. He recorded a number of unsuccessful singles on Modern and Sun, which were leased to Chess. He was called up for military service and spent two years singing in a band with Eddie Fisher.
On his return in 1955 he signed with Don Robey’s Duke Records and had a long string of beautifully produced hit singles starting with “Farther Up the Road”. In 1968 he had to break up his band due to financial problems and he battled depression and alcohol dependency. In 1971 Duke Records was sold to ABC; they assigned Bland to new younger producers who recorded him in more contemporary styles in Los Angeles, with great success.
Bobby Bland died in Germantown, Tennessee on June 23, 2013.
Image: Bobby Bland, Chicago Blues, 2006
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