Happy 80th Birthday Bobby Bland

I believe it was this past Wednesday and it was celebrated with some of his friends joining him as detailed more fully in the accompanying article: http://www.gomemphis.com/news/2010/jan/28/bobby-blue-blands-birthday-bash-brings-out-blues-r/?print=1/

I would quote Mark Jordan’s article, but that would be too easy. please give it a read. B.B. king, Latimore, Bobby Rush, Floyd Taylor and others came by to see Bobby and wish him well.

Bland though has cancelled a scheduled show at The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia and one certainly hopes that any health issues are minor ones, but only time will tell. I have been fortunate enough to see him a number of times including with B.B. three decades ago in Buffalo. He is one of the most extraordinary singers to have blessed the Blues & Rhythm area. Ace once issued an anthology of some of his best recordings that was simply, and properly entitled “The Voice.” Hopefully we will have the opportunity to see Mr. Bland performing regularly in the future. he is an American Treasure.