There are precious few links left to that first and second generation group of pioneers in blues and soul music. Bobby Bland was rather unique in that he was able to cross some divides within the genres. His music could be equally categorized as blues or R&B, he could sing with real grit but was primarily famous for having a smoother delivery. His image was one of class and a certain level of sophistication, as he had the nickname "the Sinatra of the blues." Other than his contemporary and friend B.B. King (for whom he also served as valet and chauffeur in his early days), Bland is the most important blues singer to emerge from the Memphis scene. Bland was a giant of the genre, but not as well known as others of equal stature for some reason. I saw him live in the mid-1990's, and frankly he was not that great, he was just way past his prime. No matter, listen to his remarkable string of singles from the late 1950's and 1960's, and you know you are listening to one of the great ones. Even if he was not a household name outside of his genre, his influence in music was immense (he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992). Artists from Eric Clapton to David Bowie to Van Morrison have covered his songs. "Farther Up the Road," "I Pity the Fool," "Ain't Nothin' You Can Do," "That's The Way Love Is," "Ain't No Love In the Heart of the City"...the list goes on.
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