Bobby Bland

Bobby "Blue" Bland (b. January 27, 1930) was an American singer and original member of The Beale Streeters[?]. After releasing a couple unsuccessful singles for Chess Records in 1951 and Modern Records[?] and Duke Records[?] in 1952. That year, Bland entered the army and returned to music upon his release in 1955. His first successful single was "It's My Life Baby", showcasing a new, more mature sound.

Guitarist Pat Hare[?] contributed to Bland's first national hit, "Farther up the Road" (1957). Clarence Holliman[?] was his guitarist for most of his 1950s sides, including "Loan a Helping Hand", "I Smell Trouble", "Don't Want No Woman" and "Teach Me (How to Love You)". In the 1960s, Bland was working with Wayne Bennett[?], including "Turn on Your Love Light" (1961) and "Yield Not to Temptation" (1962), by then a superstar and world-famous entertainer. After a switch to ABC Records[?] in 1973, Bland's career began to diminish. Though he continued recording throughout te 1980s and 90s, Bland never achieved his former fame.