Bobby Rush It is a veteran Blues institution (will fulfill 92 years the 10 of November). Born (with the name of Emmit Ellis, Jr) in Homer (Louisiana) and then raised in Pine Bluff (Arkansa) y Chicago, It is a colorful and durable heir of the Citlin Cirk, That quarry of clubs and clubs for African -American musicians started in the thirty years of the last century in the United States and how important it was then to throw water into the fire of racial segregation, by giving them shelter and allow them to make a living, nor that it was modestly, To those who had black skin. Largely, It was in that world where the vocalist forged, composer and multi -stertumerist Bobby Rush Your unique sound, that he, Although his first singles were pure blues, liked to name as folk-funk.
His first influence was his father, A pastor played guitar and harmonica, But once in Chicago -Already with twenty years fulfilled- He dove in that circuit of the West Side and started playing with, among others, Figures like Muddy Waters, Little Walter y Howlin’ Wolf, In addition to being able to count in their own bands with eminences such as Luther Allison y Freddie King. We talk about the end of the fifties and sixties. It was in 1967 When his first single arrived, containing the songs “Sock Boo Ga Low” y “Much Too Much”. Four years later, in 1971, He achieved his first hit con “Chicken Heads”. There were still eight for your first LP, “Rush Hour” (1979). By then he had already entered the aforementioned Citlin Cirk, where he found a more receptive audience to his material, which was increasingly obscene and more funk, While the blues market was gradually tilting towards rock.
It was a successful movement and that time has proved, As it shows that in his career he looks twenty prizes and first -order recognitions, among them being a member of the Blues Hall Of Fame from 2006. Without forgetting that adds seven nominations and two victories in the Grammy, All of them in this century (And a couple in what we have in decade). Let's go, that does not live in and from the past. Examples: in 2001, nominated a Best Contemporary Blues Album by "Hoochie man"; in 2014, nominated a Best Blues Album by “Down In Louisiana”; in 2015, nominated a Best Blues Album by “Decisions”; in 2017, Winner of Best Traditional Blues Album by “Porcupine Meat”; in 2023 nominated a Best Traditional Blues Album by “Sitting On Top Of The Blues”; in 2024 Winner of Best Traditional Blues Album by “All My Love For You”.
To finish off, mention that your last album is “Young Fashioned Ways”, Shared with Kenny Wayne Shepherd and that he has seen the light at the end of March of this 2025. And also point out that in 2021 His autobiography came out “I Ain’t Stuaddin’ Ya. My American Blues Story”, co -written with Herb Powell.
