Bobby Rush

About

Blues singer, songwriter, guitarist, harmonica player, and record producer known for his long-running career in blues, soul-blues, funk, and R&B including songs such as "Chicken Heads," "I Wanna Do the Do," "I Ain't Studdin' You," "Bowlegged Woman, Knock-Kneed Man," "Night Fishin'," and "Down in Louisiana." and albums Porcupine Meat, Rawer Than Raw, All My Love for You, and Young Fashioned Ways.

Before fame

He built his first homemade guitar using broom wire, nails, bottles, and bricks before eventually moving through the Arkansas and Chicago blues scenes. His big break came in 1971 with the single "Chicken Heads" which became his first major hit. He released his first full-length album Rush Hour in 1979.

Trivia

He won his first Grammy Award in 2017 for Porcupine Meat. He won additional Best Traditional Blues Album Grammys for Rawer Than Raw in 2021 and All My Love for You in 2024. He appeared as himself in the 2019 Netflix film Dolemite Is My Name starring Eddie Murphy.

Family life

He was born Emmett Ellis Jr. in rural Louisiana and grew up in a musical family. His father's guitar and harmonica playing helping shape his early interest in music.

Associated with

He released the 2025 album Young Fashioned Ways with Kenny Wayne Shepherd.