I love music and I always have.
In the course of my media, p.r., ad and technology career, in addition to all of the political and corporate “stuff,” I have had the great privilege of working with and on behalf of some of the better known musicians, singers and composers of the past 35 years. (And, frankly--while most of them don't know this to this day, I really never cared whether or not my music clients paid me--I lost track of the number of times I did music industry work for little or no compensation.) But, I can count on one hand the folks whose music I love as much as Bobby Blue Bland.
For the last seven years, Bonnie and I have awakened to Bobby “Blue” Bland’s music, 365 days a year, on our CD-alarm clock. We’ve never felt the need to listen to anything else to start off our day. ‘nuff said…R.I.P. Bobby "Blue"...
Bobby (Blue) Bland, Blues Singer, Dies at 83
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
(via the NY Times)
June 24, 2013 at 12:40 AM ET
GRENADA, Miss. — Bobby (Blue) Bland, a distinguished singer who blended Southern blues and soul in songs such as “Turn on Your Love Light” and “Further On Up the Road,” died Sunday. He was 83.
Rodd Bland said his father died due to complications from an ongoing illness at his Memphis, Tenn., home. He was surrounded by relatives.
Bland was known as the “the Sinatra of the blues” and was heavily influenced by Nat King Cole, often recording with lavish arrangements to accompany his smooth vocals. He even openly imitated Frank Sinatra on the “Two Steps From the Blues” album cover, standing in front of a building with a coat thrown over his shoulder.
“He brought a certain level of class to the blues genre,” said Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell, son of legendary musician and producer Willie Mitchell.
Bland was a contemporary of B.B. King‘s, serving as the blues great’s valet and chauffer at one point, and was one of the last of the living connections to the roots of the genre. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992 and was an influence on scores of young rock ‘n’ rollers…
Further On Up The Road (YouTube Page)
Further On Up The Road
I’ll Take Care Of You (YouTube Page)
I’ll Take Care Of You
As Soon As The Weather Breaks (YouTube Page)
As Soon As The Weather Breaks
Stormy Monday (YouTube Page)
Stormy Monday
The Thrill Is Gone--BB King & Bobby Blue Bland (YouTube Page)
The Thrill Is Gone--BB King & Bobby Blue Bland