As the son of blues legend Lonnie Brooks, RBB grew up steeped in American music tradition. He came of age watching the fieriest guitar players and most soulful singers of a previous era express their deepest feelings through their music. He knows the transcendent release at the heart of soul, blues and rock. As in the Olympic tradition, when the torch gets passed on, the idea is to keep it burning, while at the same time move it forward. It's a fitting image for Brooks. Not only does he sing with soulful fire and play with a white-hot intensity; he's also carrying the torch from the previous generation of soul and blues greats and moving the music into the future. "I grew up among the best of the best," Brooks says. "Every time I play, I feel like I've got to do it with the authenticity and passion that I saw in guys like Buddy Guy, Muddy Waters, B.B. King and my father. But I also have to put my twist on it. None of those guys repeated what came before them."
Brooks' twist involves enlivening blues-rock with deep soul and modern hip-hop vocals and funk rhythms. Working with Minneapolis producer Jellybean Johnson, Brooks takes roots sounds and transforms them into something that spans the ages. He draws on the choppy, hip-shaking rhythms of funk, the emotional truth of soul and the forcefulness of rock to bring a distinctive dimension to his groundbreaking sound. "I wanted to do something that would bring young people to the blues, and then give them the real hardcore thing at the same time," Brooks says. "When I grew up, all my friends listened to rap and funk, and I listened to the blues. So I heard their music and they heard mine. I think we both saw some connection between them. I like that line in the movie "Hustle & Flow" when they say this new rap song ain't nothing but 'Backdoor Man' written for modern streets. It's a hip-hop world right now, but I want to bring a little blues to the party."
Brooks has earned his spot on the front lines. He spent a dozen years backing his father, watching how the master entertainer drew enthusiastic responses night after night. For years, the younger Brooks put his lessons on stage every night, opening his father's show to great response. With his father's blessing, he left the band to strike out on his own shortly after releasing his own debut album, Golddigger in 1998.
Like his father before him, Brooks became a Chicago blues mainstay, playing regularly in Chicago area clubs. After the release of his second album, 2001's Take Me Witcha, he hit the road for what turned out to be a seemingly non-stop three-year tour, picking up devoted new fans all along the way. And while he hadn't planned to take five years between recordings, he did want to do it right. He made up for lost time by packing as many tunes as possible on THE TORCH.
Indeed, the album celebrates all that Ronnie Baker Brooks is -- a man with both a history and a vision, a man uniquely suited to carry THE TORCH.
Ciao,Ronnie Baker Brooks Band Thank you for the add and the friendship. you are very good, I like your stupendous music a lot, Band, and stupendous voice. compliments ..really. you are one of my prefeitis, I feel great admiration for you, be really one whom is worth rather a lot! I hope to listen soon to you, in italy .. talk to you soon, and all of my best wishes to always listen to your good music all the best.. from italy.. and good life.. every day neal
GREAT seeing you and the band yesterday at the Heritage Festival - you, Jellybean, Carton, Steve and CJ put on an awesome show!!! Y'all really worked it - did just what Mr. Cotton and Mr. Sumlin told you to do!! What a wonderful day!!!
PEACE & MANY BLESSINS' ON YOUR PATH RONNIE !! THANKS FOR KEEPING THE BLUES ALIVE!! MAY THERE BE FEW STONES IN YOUR PASSWAY MY FRIEND!! HOPE TO SEE YOU ON THE ROAD..TILL THEN.. KEEP MAKING IT DO WHAT IT DO... ~ RR
"DEVIL OFFERED A GOLD DOBRO~I SAID NO,I BE A HOBO!!" ~ RiYeN RoOtS
hello/bonjour you'll stay in my memories like your father … i saw you down in Nantes,FR…in the 90's…unforgettable night… you're the blues legacy… greetings from louisiana
Guido Ciardetti – bass, born in Chicago, moved to Dallas playing with Buddy Miles and Brian Atlas all over Texas. Brad Messer – drums grew up in Texas with SRV, and went to the same high school.
Mike Fraz – Keys, born in New Orleans playing all the same Dr. John Bourbon Street venues.
Mike Dollins – Born in California and moved to the Arkansas Delta from the group TC Webb & The Fabulous Jades. Played on the West Coast with King Biscuit Blues Band, Mighty Wings of Faith, Brothers of Praise and Blues Legends Len Rainey, and Big Daddy Rucker.
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