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Blues Icon Bobby “Blue” Bland Dies in Son’s Arms at Age 83

The iconic Blues singer Bobby “Blue” Bland died at the age of 83 in his son’s arms at his home in Memphis, Tenn. on Monday, June 24, 2013 from a cancerous hole that had formed in his stomach.

Bland’s son, Rodd, delivered the heartbreaking news to CNN and revealed that his dad’s health had been failing for quite some time.

Bobby took a turn for the worse when a hole formed in his stomach and forced him off the stage for good earlier this year.

“He had a hole in his stomach that became tumorous, and it was emptying into his bloodstream,” Rodd said.

Rodd confirmed that his father did pass away from natural causes and revealed that his father spent his final moments in his arms.

“He was in my arms,” he said. “But I’m not going to lie. I could have used at least 20 more years.”

It’s clear that the music industry would have loved to have another 20 years with Bland as well.

The Blues icon was famous for being able to combine a Southern sound with a soulful twist to create songs such as “Turn on Your Love Light” and “Stormy Monday.”

One website even named the late singer as “one of the main creators of the modern soul-blues sound.”

Many of his classic hits are referenced and sampled in today’s music as well such as the sample that was featured on Jay-Z’s “Ain’t No Love in the Heart of the City.”

He was also commemorated in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1992 just a few years before he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997.

Perhaps the most admirable thing about the famous crooner is the fact that despite all his massive success, he still remained humble.

His son pointed out that his father never complained about feeling like he wasn’t receiving everything he deserved.

“He never b****ed about not getting his due,” he said. “When I took him to Beale Street for ribs and catfish, fans would come up to him. He was always courteous, polite and kind. And humble. That’s what I admired.”

The Tennessee native leaves us with many classic hits to remember him by including “Call On Me,” “That’s the Way Love Is,” “Ain’t Nothing You Can Do” and “Little Boy Blue.”

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