Bobby “Blue” Bland Dies

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Soul / Blues singer Bobby "Blue" Bland has died at the age of 83.

Robert Calvin Bland, known as "The Lion of the Blues", was born on January 27, 1930 and was an original member of The Beale Streeters. Wikipedia reports that Bland developed a unique musical sound that combined Gospel with Blues and R&B.

Bland was such fan of Frank Sinatra that he often imitated him and became known as the "Sinatra of the Blues". Bland was said to be greatly influenced by Nat King Cole. He received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. Bland will be missed dearly, but his music will live on forever!