Tuesday, June 25, 2013

RIP Bobby "Blue" Bland - "The Lion Of The Blues"


                  Robert Calvin Bland
                             1930-2013


Bobby Bland's career spanned six decades. He started his career in the 1940's with the Beale Streeters - a group that included Junior Parker, B.B. King, Willie Nix and other musicians from the Memphis Blues scene.

My father introduced me to his music in the 1980's, and he was essentially  part of the soundtrack in my household growing up. Has been a part of my music collection ever since. Unfortunately Blues, as an American art form (like Jazz), is dying off....as the giants pass on. There are fewer artists filling the shoes of those who pass on. With music education being stripped from schools... the problem is getting worse. It's like watching languages die out over time... we are losing a culture and heritage.

NPR remembrance. 

 Interview with Author Chrles Farley.

Great blog posting on Bland



Bland with Elvis 1956
 


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