Influenced by his association with the famous Memphis Beale Streeters, his love of gospel music and the rising tide of energetic Big Band music that would soon come to be called Rock-n-Roll, Bobby put out such seminal early pre-rock tracks as "Turn on Your Love Light", "Cry Cry Cry" and "I Pity the Fool". Considered to be one of the premier rhythm & blues vocalists, Bland continued to hit the R&B charts throughout the 60's, but never managed to match his earlier successes.