American soul & blues musician
His singing blended Southern blues and soul. He was influenced by Nat King Cole , often recording with lavish arrangements to accompany his smooth vocals.
He was a founding member of the Beale Streeters, a Memphis group that included B.B. King and Johnny Ace.
He had his first No. 1 hit on the R&B charts with "Further On Up the Road" in 1957. Many of his songs, especially "Further On Up the Road" and "I Pity the Fool", were recorded by rock artists, including David Bowie and Eric Clapton.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.
He took the last name (Bland) of his stepfather.
He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981 and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2012.
He is the father of Rodd Bland and Patrice Moses.
He had four grandchildren.
He was friends with B.B. King and Bobby Rush.
He was the godfather of Rose Duggar.
Mick Hucknall s first solo album "Tribute to Bobby" was a tribute to him and featured Hucknall covering his songs.
