Blues Legend Bobby ‘Blue’ Bland Dies at 83

His voice was smooth as silk and as rough as sandpaper. He was part B.B. King and part Reverend C.L. Franklin yet, those influences were just influences and his style was 100% Bobby 'Blue'  Bland. True success eluded this talented performer, but respect among his peers, including those who influenced him, ran very high. Bland went to to influence many who came after him.

The list of performers influenced by Bland is not a short one. Just listen to any one of a wide range of artist from the Righteous Brothers to Van Morrison, Otis Redding to Wilson Pickett and The Allman Brothers to Jay-Z.

Bobby Bland could sing a ballad with the best of them and turn right around and "get all ugly in the face' like a preacher in a tent revival. The transition was effortless.

Bobby "Blue"Bland - Here are two examples of the range in his style

First up, a song considered to be a blues classic from 1957

I couldn't leave out this great recording of "Turn on Your Love Light"

Bobby Bland was inducted into The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.

“I’d like to be remembered as just a good old country boy that did his best to give us something to listen to and help them through a lot of sad moments, happy moments, whatever."

 

Man! Did he ever succeed!