Robert Cray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Cray
|
|
|---|---|
Robert Cray in concert, 2007
|
|
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Robert William Cray |
| Also known as | Night Train Clemons |
| Born | August 1, 1953 Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Origin | Newport News, Virginia, U.S. |
| Genres | Blues, blues rock, soul blues |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments |
|
| Years active | 1974–present |
| Labels |
|
Robert William Cray, born on August 1, 1953, is a talented American blues guitarist and singer. He is famous for leading his own band and has won five Grammy Awards for his amazing music.
Contents
Robert Cray's Early Life
Robert Cray was born in Columbus, Georgia, on August 1, 1953. His father was working at Fort Benning at the time. Robert started his musical journey when he was a student at Denbigh High School in Newport News, Virginia. There, he played in his very first band, called The One-Way Street. Later, his family moved to the Tacoma, Washington, area, where he went to Lakes High School.
Robert Cray's Music Career
By the time he was 20, Robert Cray had seen many of his favorite blues musicians perform live. These included legends like Albert Collins, Freddie King, and Muddy Waters. Seeing them play made him want to start his own band. They began performing in college towns along the West Coast.
In the late 1970s, Robert lived in Eugene, Oregon. This is where he officially formed the Robert Cray Band. He also worked with Curtis Salgado in a group called the Cray-Hawks. You might even spot him in the 1978 movie National Lampoon's Animal House. He was the bassist in the house party band, Otis Day and the Knights, though he wasn't credited for it.
Music in the 1980s
Robert Cray released his first album, Who's Been Talkin', in 1980. In the mid-1980s, he put out two more albums, Bad Influence and False Accusations. These albums became quite popular in the United States and Europe. Robert was becoming well-known for his exciting live shows. In 1985, he released a special album called Showdown! with his hero Albert Collins and another great musician, Johnny Copeland.
In 1986, Robert Cray signed with Mercury Records. He then released his fourth album, Strong Persuader. This album won a Grammy Award! A song from the album, "Smoking Gun", became a big hit and helped more people learn about his music. He even recorded with Ted Hawkins in 1986, using the fun nickname "Night Train Clemons."
Famous musician Keith Richards invited Robert to join the band for Chuck Berry in the 1987 film, Chuck Berry: Hail! Hail! Rock 'N' Roll. In 1987, Tina Turner also asked Robert Cray to be part of her Break Every Rule TV special.
By the end of the 1980s, Robert Cray was opening shows for huge stars like Eric Clapton. He also started selling out big concert halls as a solo artist. Robert usually plays Fender guitars, especially Telecasters and Stratocasters. Fender even makes two special Robert Cray Stratocaster models!
Music in the 1990s
Robert Cray had the amazing chance to play with John Lee Hooker on his album Boom Boom. He played the guitar solo in the song "Same Old Blues Again." He also played a guitar solo on the song "Baby Lee" from Hooker's album, The Healer. The entire Robert Cray Band played with John Lee Hooker on the main song of his 1992 album Mr. Lucky. Robert played lead guitar, sang, and chatted with Hooker during the song.
The band also appeared on two songs from B.B. King's 1993 album Blues Summit. One song, "Playin' With My Friends," was written by Robert Cray and Dennis Walker just for this project. The other was "You Shook Me" with John Lee Hooker.
In August 1990, Robert Cray played with Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan, and Stevie Ray Vaughan at the Alpine Valley Music Theatre in Wisconsin. They performed "Sweet Home Chicago" together. This was Stevie Ray Vaughan's last performance before he passed away in a helicopter accident later that night.
Robert Cray was also invited to play at the "Guitar Legends" concerts in Seville, Spain, during the 1992 Expo. He played his famous song "Phone Booth" there. Albert Collins also performed on the same blues night.
Music from 2000 to Today
In 2005, Robert Cray was honored by being added to Hollywood's RockWalk at Guitar Center. This is like a hall of fame for musicians.
Robert Cray still records new music and goes on tour. He has performed at the Crossroads Guitar Festival and joined Eric Clapton on his world tour in 2006-2007.
In 2011, Robert Cray was welcomed into the Blues Hall of Fame. In 2017, he received the Americana Music Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance. This award celebrates his long and successful career.
Robert Cray decided not to join Eric Clapton's 2022 Europe tour.
The Robert Cray Band
Here are the current members of the band:
- Robert Cray – lead and rhythm guitar, vocals
- Richard Cousins – bass guitar
- George Sluppick – drums
- Dover Weinberg – keyboards
Some past members of the band include:
- Peter Boe – keyboards
- Al Chez – trumpet
- Terence F. Clark – drums
- Les Falconer – drums
- Kevin Hayes – drums (1989–2008)
- Wayne Jackson – trumpet
- Tim Kaihatsu – rhythm guitar
- Andrew Love – saxophone
- Ed Manion – saxophone
- Rocky Manzanares – harp
- Tom Murphy – drums
- David Olson – drums
- Mark Pender – trumpet
- Jimmy Pugh – keyboards
- Warren Rand – alto saxophone
- Curtis Salgado – harp
- Karl Sevareid – bass
- David Stewart – keyboards
- Mike Vannice – saxophone
Robert Cray's Albums
Here is a list of Robert Cray's studio albums:
- Who's Been Talkin' (1980)
- Bad Influence (1983)
- False Accusations (1985)
- Strong Persuader (1986)
- Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1988)
- Midnight Stroll (1990)
- I Was Warned (1992)
- Shame + A Sin (1993)
- Some Rainy Morning (1995)
- Sweet Potato Pie (1997)
- Take Your Shoes Off (1999)
- Shoulda Been Home (2001)
- Time Will Tell (2003)
- Twenty (2005)
- This Time (2009)
- Nothin but Love (2012)
- In My Soul (2014)
- Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm (2017)
- That's What I Heard (2020)
See also
In Spanish: Robert Cray para niños
