Bobby Rush A.K.A The King of the Chitlin Circuit took to the stage in Memphis last Friday night and he had the Overton Park Shell jumping like a Mississippi juke joint with his soulful vocals and smooth harmonica playing! The Shell was shoulder-to-shoulder with fans of all ages and backgrounds packing the lawn and groovin’ to every note.
The 91 year old put on an electrifying performance, oozing with soul, funk, and charisma. He danced across the stage and weaved through the crowd like a man decades younger, joking and engaging with fans as if they were old friends. His vocals were effortlessly soulful and his harmonica solos transported me back to the 1920s blues scene. His performance of “You’re Gonna Need a Man Like Me” had the audience completely mesmerized.
His backing band, Rodd Bland (Bobby Blue Bland’s son) and the Members Only Band, made the night feel even more magical and like witnessing musical history. The tight ensemble featured three horn players, a bass player, and Rodd on drums. They had the crowd moving instantly when they launched into the song “I Ain’t Studdin You”. Afterwards, Bobby Rush spoke about the special bond he shared with Bobby Bland and exchanged a heartfelt moment with Rodd and his mother, Mrs. Willie Mae Bland.
The show balanced soul-stirring moments with laughter. Known for his witty, sometimes explicit lyrics, Bobby had the crowd cackling throughout the night. Having toured with comedian Rudy Ray Moore (Dolemite) for a decade, he knows exactly how to turn a blues performance into a masterclass in both music and comedy. Bobby had the crowd rolling with laughter when he performed his song that he dropped earlier this year called “G-strang & a Toothbrush”.
Bobby Rush still looks as sharp as when I watched him on TV with my grandmother in the 2000s. The Blues and artists like Bobby have always been a staple in my family, passed down like a treasured heirloom from my great-grandmother, who actually owned a juke joint in Mississippi in the 1980s. Songs like “Chicken Heads” and “Sue” were the soundtrack to my childhood, filling our house with joy and laughter. I can remember it like yesterday, sitting at my grandmother’s house watching Bobby Rush command the stage and hearing his spicy lyrics for the first time, having the whole house captivated and entertained.
Bobby has had a longstanding career and remains remarkably active. He began his career touring the Chitlin Circuit in the 1950s and dropped his first song “Someday” in 1964. He shared the stage with legendary artists like Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Etta James. In the 1970s, he helped usher the blues into a new wave, blending the genre with soul and funk alongside his contemporaries Johnnie Taylor, Tyrone Davis, Bobby Blue Bland, and Marvin Sease. He has won three Grammy Awards and 18 Blues Music Awards and continues to champion the blues tradition with unwavering dedication.
This show was a 1000/10 experience! I highly recommend experiencing a Bobby Rush show whenever you can. As one of the last original bluesmen alongside Buddy Guy, his concerts are both a celebration and a history lesson. Both of the blues icons contributed to the blockbuster movie hit “Sinners” dropped earlier this year. Bobby’s song “Juke” from the soundtrack is already a standout and could earn even more accolades. The living legend shows no signs of slowing down, still singing, playing, and rocking stages with the same fire as in his early days. Make sure you check out his website for tour dates near you! Witnessing Bobby Rush defy time and age is nothing short of a blessing.
PHOTO GALLERY BY SOULTAUREAN:
Check out Bobby Rush’s latest projects:
🌎 Tour Dates: www.bobbyrushbluesman.com/tour
💿 Latest Album: Young Fashioned Ways
📸 Instagram: www.instagram.com/bobbyrushbluesman/
