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Bobby "Blue" Bland (1930 – 2013) - On June 23, 2013, the music world lost the iconic blues and soul singer Bobby "Blue" Bland, who earned his stardom with the emotional smoothness of his voice. Here's a look at the career of the late legend.  (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Going Modern - Associated with a circle of aspiring musicians called the Beale Streeters, which included B.B. King and Junior Parker, singer Bobby "Blue" Bland signed with Modern Records in the early '50s where he released some unsuccessful records.   (Photo: Tom Copi/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Not Long Down the Road - After signing with Duke Records in the mid-'50s and honing his sound on the Chitlin' Circuit, the future R&B icon scored his first hit with the bluesy-soul cut "Farther Up the Road" in 1957. A year later, he'd land another hit with "Little Boy Blue."  (Photo: James Fraher/Redferns)

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Consolidating the Blues - Bland was inspired by the music revue he used to perform with fellow Beale Streeter Junior Parker called Blues Consolidated, and the two collaborated and released an LP of the same name. (Photo: WENN)

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In the Groove - Bland's sound and vocal style fully takes shape in the early '60s as he rings up several hits, including "Cry, Cry, Cry," "I Pity the Fool," and "Turn on Your Love Light." (Photo: David Corio/Getty Images)

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Stormy Monday - In 1962, the R&B legend released his version of T-Bone Walker's "Stormy Monday Blues," which became one of his biggest hits.   (Photo: Carrie Devorah / WENN)

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That's the Way Love Is - Bobby "Blue" Bland's final No. 1 R&B hit came in 1963 when he released the song "That's the Way Love Is."  (Photo: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Photo By Photo: AP Photo/Mark Lennihan

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A Blues Revival - When Duke Records was sold to the larger ABC Records, Bland's contract was part of the deal. Under the new label, the singer enjoyed critical success with the release of LPs like His California Album (1973) and Dreamer (1974). The success of the albums introduced Bland to a white, rock-oriented audience.  (Photo: Johnny Louis/wenn)

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Hall of Fame - Forty years after starting in the music business, Bland was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1992.(Photo: Aaron Gilbert/ WENN)

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Tributes to Bobby - Pop artists from Europe have honored Bland musically. Irish singer-songwriter Van Morrison covered several of the R&B vet's songs, including "Ain't Nothing You Can Do" and "Turn On Your Love Light." Mick Hucknell, the lead vocalist of Simply Red, released the album Tribute to Bobby containing songs associated with Bland.  (Photo: AP Photo/The Commercial Appeal, Nikki Boertman)

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Goodbye to an Icon - On June 23, 2013, Bland died at his home in Germantown, Tennessee, after battling an ongoing illness. He was 83.     (Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images)