Bobby Bland was born on January 27, 1930 in Rosemark, Tennessee, USA as Robert Calvin Brooks. He was married to Willie. He died on June 23, 2013 in Memphis, Tennessee.

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. Took last name (Bland) of his stepfather. Inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1981.