Bob Luman facts for kids

Robert Glynn Luman (born April 15, 1937 – died December 27, 1978) was an American singer and songwriter. He was famous for his country and rockabilly songs.

Early Life and Music Career

Bob Luman was born in Blackjack, Texas, USA. He grew up in Nacogdoches, Texas. His dad played the fiddle, guitar, and harmonica. This made Bob interested in music from a young age.

Bob got his first guitar when he was thirteen years old.

He went to high school in Kilgore, Texas. His family had moved there after he was born. While in high school, Bob started his very first band.

Bob was also a great baseball player in high school. He even tried out for the Major League Baseball team, the Pittsburgh Pirates. When he didn't make it as a professional baseball player, he decided to focus on his music instead.

In 1956, Bob won a talent contest. This contest was put on by the Future Farmers of America. Winning it gave him a chance to perform on a famous radio show called the Louisiana Hayride.

For the Hayride show, Bob formed a backup band called the Shadows. This band included James Burton on guitar, James Kirkland on bass, and Butch White on drums. In 1957, the band signed with Imperial Records. They recorded songs like "All Night Long" and "Amarillo Blues."

That same year, the band appeared on the Town Hall Party TV show in Los Angeles. They also appeared in a movie called Carnival Rock. In the movie, they played music for another singer, David Houston.

The next year, Bob signed with Capitol Records. He released songs such as "Try Me." Capitol Records wanted him to change his name, but he said no. So, he left Capitol and signed with Warner Bros. Records. There, he recorded "Class of '59" and "Loretta."

In 1960, Bob Luman joined the United States Army. While he was still in the Army, Warner Bros. Records released his most famous song. It was a fun song called "Let's Think About Living." This song became a big hit! It reached number 7 on the Billboard pop music chart. It also hit number 9 on the Billboard country music chart. The song even made it into the Top 10 in the UK Singles Chart.

After leaving the Army in 1962, Bob moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Nashville is known as the home of country music.

On August 12, 1964, he married Barbara in Yuma, Colorado.

In 1965, he became a member of the Grand Ole Opry. This is a very famous country music show.

Later Career and Hits

Bob Luman traveled a lot in the 1960s and 1970s. He became very popular in Las Vegas, Nevada. His shows there mixed country music with rockabilly. In 1968, he signed with Epic Records. He had many hit songs with them.

One of his biggest country hits was "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers." This song reached number 4 on the country music chart. Another singer, Steve Wariner, who used to be in Bob's band, later sang this song too. Steve's version also reached number 4 on the country charts in 1984.

Bob Luman had other country hits as well. These included "Ain't Got Time to Be Unhappy" (1968) and "Ballad of Two Brothers" (with Autry Inman, 1968). Other popular songs were "When You Say Love" (1972), "Neither One Of Us" (1973), "Proud Of You Baby" (1975), and "The Pay Phone" (1977). He also performed a slow, heartfelt version of Johnny Cash's song "I Still Miss Someone."

Bob Luman passed away from pneumonia in Nashville in late December 1978. He was 41 years old. After he died, a record company called Bear Family Records released collections of his songs. These included More of the Rocker and Still Rockin'.

Legacy and Recognition

Bob Luman is remembered for his contributions to music. He is a member of both the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He is also in the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame.

His song "Lonely Women Make Good Lovers" was used in the 1988 movie Rain Man.

Discography

Albums

Singles