Robert Daniel Ealey(December 6, 1925 – March 8, 2001)[2]was an Americanelectric bluessinger, who performedTexas blues.Among other releases, he recorded a couple of albums forBlack Top Recordsin the 1990s, having earlier formed a duo withU.P. Wilson.[3]Ealey also worked with Tone Sommer,Mike Buck,andMike Morgan.[1]
Robert Ealey | |
|---|---|
 Robert Ealey performs inFort Worth, Texasin June 1985 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert Daniel Ealey |
| Born | December 6, 1925 Texarkana, Texas,United States |
| Died | March 8, 2001(aged 75) Fort Worth, Texas,United States |
| Genres | Texas blues,electric blues[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, drummer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 1940s–2000 |
| Labels | Black Top,various |
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
editEaley was born inTexarkana, Texas.In his teens he sang in a quartet in his church.[1]
Following service in theArmyinWorld War II,Ealey moved toDallasin 1951,[4]having been singing professionally from the age of 20. InFort Worth,he formed aduo,the Boogie Chillun Boys, with the guitarist U. P. Wilson.[1]The Boogie Chillun Boys provided inspiration to fellow Texan singer and guitaristRay 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 byT-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 byBlack 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 withmilitary honorsat theDallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery.[4]
In 2003, Aristokraft issued thecompilation albumRobert 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
edit| 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 |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^abcdefSkelly, Richard."Robert Ealey: Biography".AllMusic.com.Retrieved2014-01-28.
- ^abcDoc Rock."The Dead Rock Stars Club 2001".Thedeadrockstarsclub.com.Retrieved2014-01-28.
- ^ab"U. P. Wilson, Blues Musician: September 4th 1934 to September 22nd 2004".Archived fromthe originalon July 28, 2011.RetrievedSeptember 12,2011.
- ^abcdTexas State Historical Association."Ealey, Robert".Tshaonline.org.RetrievedSeptember 13,2011.
- ^"Robert Ealey & His Five Careless Lovers Live At The New Blue Bird Nite Club 180g LP (Blue Vinyl)".Elusivedisc.com.RetrievedMarch 6,2021.
- ^"Robert Ealey / His Five Careless Lovers – Live At The New Blue Bird Nite Club (Blue) [180 Gram] | daddykool".Daddykool.com.RetrievedMarch 6,2021.
- ^Patoski, Joe Nick (January 1, 2020).Robert Ealey and His Five Careless Lovers.Blurb, Inc.ISBN978-1715497521.
- ^"Robert Ealey: Discography".AllMusic.com.Retrieved2014-01-28.
- ^"The Robert Ealey Memorial Site".Robertealey.com.RetrievedAugust 25,2011.