Re: [Harp-L] Re: Sad news: Bobby Bland in the hospital

[Ken Deifik <kenneth.d@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

> I don't have all the details, but Bobby Bland is in the hospital and very 
> close to the end.

I worked at a record store in the late 60's that had a big following among 
older Black people, for some reasons.  (Old probaby meant over 30 for me 
back then.)

We'd play records upon request, and at least twice a day someone would come 
in and say "Wanna hear bobbablueblam."  Some other kid working at the store 
explained what 'bobbablueblam' meant.

Playing those 45's for the old folks was a gigantic treat.  These were 
folks who generally couldn't stand white teenagers, or probably ANY 
teenagers, and felt free to not conceal the fact.

The first time I heard a Bobby Blue Bland record it knocked me over.  When 
it had finished I looked the crabby old person if they minded if I played 
it again.  The first time I did it the old person warmed up and we started 
laughing.

It didn't always work.  Some old people are just unshakeably crabby.

Everybody knows that.