Died On This Date (January 7, 2011) Bobby Robinson / Prolific R&B Producer & Harlem Record Store Owner
themusicsover Bobby Robinson
April 16, 1917 – January 7, 2011
Bobby Robinson was a pioneering R&B and later, hip-hop record producer, as well as a longtime record store owner. He opened Bobby’s Record Shop in 1946, making it the first Black-owned business on Harlem’s famous 125th Street. The store and cultural landmark remained open until he was forced to close in 2008 due to his landlord’s desire to raze and rebuild at that spot. As a producer, Robinson had a hand in creating a string of R&B and hip-hop hits that stretched from the early ’50s through the mid ’80s. The list of greats that he enjoyed success with includes Gladys Knight & The Pips, Lee Dorsey, The Shirelles, Elmore James, Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, Kool Moe Dee, and Doug E. Fresh. Bobby Robinson was 93 when he passed away on January 7, 2011.
Willie Mitchell is best remembered as the esteemed producer who helped develop the Memphis soul sound of the ’60s and beyond. Mitchell learned to play the trumpet as a child and by the time he was in high school he was playing in local jazz bands. He soon formed his own band that reportedly performed at numerous New Years Eve parties at 
Robert Dickey was an R&B singer who is perhaps best remembered as the original “Bobby” of James & Bobby Purify, who scored a huge hit with “I’m Your Puppet” in 1966. Formed by Dickey’s cousin, James Purify, in 1965, the duo released several charting singles while recording for Bell Records – that list “Shake A Tail Feather,” “Let Love Come Between Us,” and of course, “I’m Your Puppet” which ultimately reached #6 on the Billboard pop charts. In 1971, Dickey left the group due to health issues and was replaced by a second “Bobby,” Ben Moore. Dickey retired from the music business in 1972 and spent many years working for the City of Tallahassee, Florida while singing and playing guitar in his church group. Robert Dickey was 72 when he passed away on December 29, 2011. Cause of death was not immediately released.