Roby Duke

[Bengt Isaksson]

Roby Duke passed away (1956 - 2007). Roby Duke passed away December 26, 2007 of a sudden heart attack. 2 days before, Roby Duke was on stage with his son Brantley for a concert at the Calvary Chapell of Thousand Oaks, California. His last song was "I Shall See God". Among the different recording projects of Roby, his Christmas Album due to be recorded with Bob Bennett next fall won't be a reality.

Roby Duke had been an amazing artist in the Contemporary Christian music (CCM) mood as well as a classic Westcoast / AOR sound. Born in 1956, Roby Duke was a singer-songwriter, great guitar player as well as a producer. He grew up near the Mississippi Delta and was influenced by Jazz and Blues sound and artistry.


His classic AOR / Westcoast Sound gem is his album "Not The Same" (back in 1980) with such great collaborators like Marty Walsh and John Patitucci followed by his LP "Come Let Us Reason" (1984). More recently, in 1989, Roby Duke has a great CD "Down To Business".

"Not The Same" is well considered like one of the jewels of the Westcoast Music / AOR sound with the beautiful song "Promised Land". This LP (9 tracks) has been reissued 10 years ago in a remastered CD version with a bonus track: "You Love Me" (duet with Kelly Willard). Roby Duke will definitely miss to fans of our music.

Source: Noted.blogs.com

[Barney Hurley]

Hello Bengt,

Roby Duke had a wonderful voice, 'Can't Stop Runnin' from his debut album 'Not The same' is a real favourite of mine. Duke's second album 'Come Let Us Reason' is as good as his debut.

Here are a handful of other CCM artists i dig. Benny Hester, Russ Taff, Michael James Murphy, Imperials, Paul Clarke, Andrus, Blackwood and Co, Bob Bennett, Bruce Hibbard, Lenny LeBlanc, Matthew Ward & of coarse the great Chris Christain!

Regards

Barney