Robert Ealey

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Robert Ealey

| image = 1985602-28-RobertEaley.jpg

| caption = Robert Ealey performs in Fort Worth, Texas in June 1985

| image_size =

| birth_name = Robert Daniel Ealey

| alias =

| birth_date = {{birth date|1925|12|6|mf=y}}
Texarkana, Texas, United States

| death_date = {{death date and age|2001|3|8|1925|12|6|mf=y}}
Fort Worth, Texas, United States

| instrument = Vocals

| genre = Texas blues, electric blues

| occupation = Singer, songwriter, drummer

| years_active = 1940s–2000

| label = Black Top, various

| associated_acts =

| website =

}}

Robert Daniel Ealey (December 6, 1925 – March 8, 2001){{cite web|author=Doc Rock |url=http://thedeadrockstarsclub.com/2001.html |title=The Dead Rock Stars Club 2001 |publisher=Thedeadrockstarsclub.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-28}} was an American electric blues singer, who performed Texas blues. Among other releases, he recorded a couple of albums for Black Top Records in the 1990s, having earlier formed a duo with U.P. Wilson.{{cite web|url=http://www.theclubroom.org/htm/upwilson.htm|title=U. P. Wilson, Blues Musician: September 4th 1934 to September 22nd 2004|access-date=September 12, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728093054/http://www.theclubroom.org/htm/upwilson.htm |archive-date=July 28, 2011 }} Ealey also worked with Tone Sommer, Mike Buck, and Mike Morgan.

Ealey's best-known work includes "One Love One Kiss" and "Turn Out the Lights". He variously worked with the Boogie Chillun Boys, the Juke Jumpers and the Five Careless Lovers.

Life and career

Ealey was born in Texarkana, Texas. In his teens he sang in a quartet in his church.{{cite web|author=Skelly, Richard |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/robert-ealey-mn0000285893/biography |title=Robert Ealey: Biography |publisher=AllMusic.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-28}}

Following service in the Army in World War II, Ealey moved to Dallas in 1951,{{cite web |url=http://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/fea16 |title=Ealey, Robert |author=Texas State Historical Association |date= |publisher=Tshaonline.org |access-date=September 13, 2011}} having been singing professionally from the age of 20. In Fort Worth, he formed a duo, the Boogie Chillun Boys, with the guitarist U. P. Wilson. The Boogie Chillun Boys provided inspiration to fellow Texan singer and guitarist Ray Sharpe. The Bluebird Club in Fort Worth was Ealey's musical base for more than thirty years. His involvement was such that he co-owned the club from 1977 to 1989. His 1973 live album, Live at the New Bluebird Nightclub, was billed as by Robert Ealey and the Five Careless Lovers, and included contributions from the drummer, Mike Buck. It was co-produced by T-Bone Burnett.{{Cite web|url=https://elusivedisc.com/robert-ealey-his-five-careless-lovers-live-at-the-new-blue-bird-nite-club-180g-lp-blue-vinyl/|title=Robert Ealey & His Five Careless Lovers Live At The New Blue Bird Nite Club 180g LP (Blue Vinyl)|website=Elusivedisc.com|access-date=March 6, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://daddykool.com/UPC/662582742718|title=Robert Ealey / His Five Careless Lovers – Live At The New Blue Bird Nite Club (Blue) [180 Gram] | daddykool|access-date=March 6, 2021|website=Daddykool.com}}

By the 1990s, Ealey and the guitarist Tone Sommer started touring more widely, and their authentic Texas blues found a wider audience in the United States and Europe. Television advertisement work also expanded the recognition of Ealey's music. His 1996 album, Turn Out the Lights, issued by Black Top Records, saw Ealey work with blues accompanists including Mike Morgan and Sommer on guitar. The 1997 follow-up, I Like Music When I Party, was similarly successful.

Ealey died in Fort Worth on March 8, 2001, at the age of 75, of undisclosed causes following an automobile accident the previous December. He was interred with military honors at the Dallas–Fort Worth National Cemetery.

In 2003, Aristokraft issued the compilation album Robert Ealey: Blues That Time Forgot.

Ealey is the subject of the 2020 Joe Nick Patoski book, Robert Ealey and His Five Careless Lovers.{{cite book|publisher=Blurb, Inc.|date=January 1, 2020|author=Patoski, Joe Nick|title=Robert Ealey and His Five Careless Lovers|isbn=978-1715497521}}

Selected album discography

Year \|\| Title \|\| Record label
class="wikitable sortable"
1973	Live at the New Bluebird Nightclub	style="text-align:center;"\|Blue Royal
1981	Bluebird Open	style="text-align:center;"\|Amazing
1995	If You Need Me	style="text-align:center;"\|Topcat
1996	Turn Out the Lights	style="text-align:center;"\|Black Top
1997	I Like Music When I Party	style="text-align:center;"\|Black Top

{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/robert-ealey-mn0000285893/discography |title=Robert Ealey: Discography |publisher=AllMusic.com |date= |access-date=2014-01-28}}{{cite web |author= |date= |title=The Robert Ealey Memorial Site |url=http://www.robertealey.com/discography |access-date=August 25, 2011 |publisher=Robertealey.com}}