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Robert Ealey

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Robert Ealey
Robert Ealey performs in Fort Worth, Texas in June 1985
Robert Ealey performs in Fort Worth, Texas in June 1985
Background information
Birth nameRobert Daniel Ealey
Born(1925-12-06)December 6, 1925
Texarkana, Texas, United States
DiedMarch 8, 2001(2001-03-08) (aged 75)
Fort Worth, Texas, United States
GenresTexas blues, electric blues[1]
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter, drummer
InstrumentVocals
Years active1940s–2000
LabelsBlack Top, various

Robert Daniel Ealey (December 6, 1925 – March 8, 2001)[2] was an American electric blues singer, who performed Texas blues. Among other releases, he recorded a couple of albums for Black Top Records in the 1990s, having earlier formed a duo with U.P. Wilson.[3] Ealey also worked with Tone Sommer, Mike Buck, and Mike Morgan.[1]

Ealey's best-known work includes "One Love One Kiss" and "Turn Out the Lights". He variously worked with the Boogie Chillun Boys, the Juke Jumpers and the Five Careless Lovers.[2]

Life and career

Ealey was born in Texarkana, Texas. In his teens he sang in a quartet in his church.[1]

Following service in the Army in World War II, Ealey moved to Dallas in 1951,[4] having been singing professionally from the age of 20. In Fort Worth, he formed a duo, the Boogie Chillun Boys, with the guitarist U. P. Wilson.[1] The Boogie Chillun Boys provided inspiration to fellow Texan singer and guitarist Ray Sharpe.[3] The Bluebird Club in Fort Worth was Ealey's musical base for more than thirty years.[1] His involvement was such that he co-owned the club from 1977 to 1989.[4] His 1973 live album, Live at the New Bluebird Nightclub, was billed as by Robert Ealey and the Five Careless Lovers, and included contributions from the drummer, Mike Buck. It was co-produced by T-Bone Burnett.[5][6]

By the 1990s, Ealey and the guitarist Tone Sommer started touring more widely, and their authentic Texas blues found a wider audience in the United States and Europe. Television advertisement work also expanded the recognition of Ealey's music. His 1996 album, Turn Out the Lights, issued by Black Top Records, saw Ealey work with blues accompanists including Mike Morgan and Sommer on guitar. The 1997 follow-up, I Like Music When I Party, was similarly successful.[1]

Ealey died in Fort Worth on March 8, 2001, at the age of 75, of undisclosed causes following an automobile accident the previous December.[2] He was interred with military honors at the Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery.[4]

In 2003, Aristokraft issued the compilation album Robert Ealey: Blues That Time Forgot.[4]

Ealey is the subject of the 2020 Joe Nick Patoski book, Robert Ealey and His Five Careless Lovers.[7]

Selected album discography

Year Title Record label
1973 Live at the New Bluebird Nightclub Blue Royal
1981 Bluebird Open Amazing
1995 If You Need Me Topcat
1996 Turn Out the Lights Black Top
1997 I Like Music When I Party Black Top

[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Skelly, Richard. "Robert Ealey: Biography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  2. ^ a b c Doc Rock. "The Dead Rock Stars Club 2001". Thedeadrockstarsclub.com. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  3. ^ a b "U. P. Wilson, Blues Musician: September 4th 1934 to September 22nd 2004". Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved September 12, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d Texas State Historical Association. "Ealey, Robert". Tshaonline.org. Retrieved September 13, 2011.
  5. ^ "Robert Ealey & His Five Careless Lovers Live At The New Blue Bird Nite Club 180g LP (Blue Vinyl)". Elusivedisc.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  6. ^ "Robert Ealey / His Five Careless Lovers - Live At The New Blue Bird Nite Club (Blue) [180 Gram] | daddykool". Daddykool.com. Retrieved March 6, 2021.
  7. ^ Patoski, Joe Nick (January 1, 2020). Robert Ealey and His Five Careless Lovers. Blurb, Inc. ISBN 978-1715497521.
  8. ^ "Robert Ealey: Discography". AllMusic.com. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  9. ^ "The Robert Ealey Memorial Site". Robertealey.com. Retrieved August 25, 2011.
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