Bobby Wayne NSoul Spring 05

Bobby's album first arrived as a CD-R from a friend who said he might be able to get another copy on a visit to Pittsburgh. No I couldn’t wait for that so a search of the Net turned up the contact details of the label owner and within minutes I was talking to Jeff Ingersoll.

By coincidence, Jeff told me that he had been over in Europe in November 2004 and we discovered that we had both been staying at the same hotel at the same time! Bobby’s name may be familiar to collectors in the UK from a release on Grapevine of his version of Frank Wilson’s “Do I Love You” with a track off his first Boneyard album “Long Hard Road”. However, Bobby is a long time soul man as I discovered from Jeff who told me his story.

Bobby Wayne has been Pittsburgh’s premiere soul singer for the past 30 years. His musical training began in grade school singing in the New Canaan Baptist Church along with future Silver Blue/Kwanza recording artist Terry Collins. In 1963, Bobby joined four other young men who called themselves The Exceptions. The group included Rodney Mason, James Russell, Sherman McCrae and Floyd Beck. The Vietnam conflict claimed two members a year later and the Exceptions disbanded before they had a chance to record.

At this point Bobby was introduced to Vann Harris & The Village Vanguards, a dynamic six-piece band. The lineup included George Green, Larry ‘Butch’ McGee, Eugene Smith, David ‘Sugar’ Cain and Jimmy Norman, featuring Bobby & These Gent’s. Working all of the larger clubs the troupe eventually joined forces with popular WZUM radio D.J’s, Al Gee & Bobby Bennett to produce shows at the Savoy Ballroom every Saturday night. The revue opened for and backed some of the top R&B acts of the time including; The 5 Stairsteps, The Vandykes, Billy Stewart, Erma Franklin, The O’Jays, Mary Wells & Gene Chandler. On Fridays, they usually performed in Cleveland at the House of Blues opening and backing Jackie Ross, Fontella Bass, Kim Weston & Rudy Ray Moore.

Near the end of 1964 Bobby & the Band relocated to Montreal, spending the winter at Rockheads Paradise and the Silver Dollar. As the house band they shared the stage with The Dells, Darrell Banks and The Artistics. Back in Pittsburgh the following summer, Bobby was asked to sit in with Darrell Banks at the Hurricane Grill. A friendship developed and Darrell had Bobby open for his show. These shows gave the young singer a valuable lesson in showmanship & lead vocal delivery as Bobby watched from the wings after his opening set.

Bobby & the Vanguards stayed busy on the circuit through 1967. The following year they landed back in Montreal for a year run at the Esquire Showbar. There they shared the bill with among others The Sweet Inspirations, Etta James and Carla Thomas. Eventually the Vanguards drifted apart and Bobby headed back home.
In 1969 Bobby went to Los Angeles, hooking up with Rudy Ray Moore and Theodore Toney to record “Heart Of A Poor Man & Make Me Yours”. Arthur Wright did the arrangements with The Leon Haywood Band providing the backing track. The single was leased by Atlantic Records #2670 and released using Bobby’s given name, Wayne Boykin.

Bobby fronted the band On The Corner in 1976 and Takin’ Names in 1977. He also sang during 1978 and 1979 with the Rhythm Kings. An album was recorded, but never released. Bobby worked with another group the Marcels off and on during the ‘80’s and 90’s.
Bonedog Records released ‘Long Hard Road’ in 1999. The CD was received well in Japan and England. In September 2004, Bobby released his second Bonedog offering ‘Hit That Thing’. Bobby is also fronting The Bobby Wayne Band, which Jeff tells me has a classic soul sound.

You can obtain the CD by visiting Jeff’s website .

Or you can by the CD from Vivid Sound Records in the UK – contact Dave Porter on Tel No 01787 228238.