Robert Calvin Bland was born in Rosemark, USA on January 27, 1930.  He is better known as Bobby "Blue" Bland and is a blues and soul singer.  He started singing with local gospel groups and has developed a singing sound of his own that mixes gospel with blues, R&B and soul.

Bobby Bland originally started recording in 1950, but this was put on hold during a period in the US Army.  On his returned he worked as a valet and driver and toured with Little Junior Parker.  His first chart success happened in the late 50's with his tracks "Farther up the road" and "Little Boy Blue" which become top 10 hits in the R&B Charts.  He continued this success into the 1960's with tracks such as  "Cry Cry Cry", "I Pity the Fool" and "Turn on your love light".

Things started to become more difficult into the late 60's as his music was eclipsed by bands such as the Beatles and financial pressure caused rifts in relationships after his tour had to be cut short.  Bland became increasingly depressed and dependant on alcohol.  He finally started to get back on track in 1971 when he stopped drinking.  At the same time hs record company was sold to ABC Records groups and he produced several critically acclaimed blue/soul albums.

Although Bland has never reached the success of some of his counterparts, he still is consider one of the great blues musicans and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll hall of fame and received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997