Bobby "Blue" Bland, born in Rosemark, Tennessee on January 27, 1930, and passing away on June 23, 2013, was a revered American blues and soul singer with a career that spanned several decades. He was often referred to as the “Lion of the Blues” for his unforgettable growling vocal performances. Bland started his career in the 1950s as a member of the Beale Streeters, which also included such luminaries as B.B. King and Johnny Ace. He soon established himself as a solo artist with a series of hit songs, blending modern blues with soul, gospel, and traditional R&B sounds to craft a distinctive style.

His smooth vocal style, punctuated by his signature controlled vibrato and occasional squalls, earned him entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992. In the course of his career, Bland released landmark albums such as "Two Steps From The Blues" (1961), which is considered one of the greatest blues albums of all time. Despite his influential work, he never attained the same level of commercial success as some of his contemporaries. This, however, never dimmed the respect given to him by critics, peers, and an intensely loyal fan base. Bobby "Blue" Bland's enduring influence can be traced in the soulful grit and depth of emotional expression found in modern blues and soul music. His music lives on through compilations like "The Anthology" and remixed tracks that introduce his timeless sound to new generations.

Genres

Soul Blues

Southern Soul

Related Artists

Etta James

B.B. King

Albert King

Freddie King

Otis Redding

Sam Cooke

John Lee Hooker

T-Bone Walker

Otis Rush

Bill Withers

Marvin Gaye

Aretha Franklin

Latest Release

I've Got To Use My Imagination (Pixal Remix)

Bobby "Blue" Bland

Single - Released May 13, 2022