About Bobby Byrd
Bobby Howard Byrd (August 15, 1934 – September 12, 2007) was an American rhythm and blues, soul and funk singer, songwriter, musician, record producer, bandleader, pianist and talent dedicated. He played a part in the development of soul and funk music in association with James Brown. Byrd began his career in 1952 as a member of the gospel group, the Gospel Starlighters, who later changed their name to the Avons in 1953 and the Five Royals in 1954, before settling on the name the Flames in 1955 prior to Brown's joining the group; their agent later changed it to the Famous Flames. Byrd, the founder of the Flames, is credited with the discovery of James Brown, and also claimed responsibility for writing most of Brown's hits. As group founder, and one of the longest-serving members of the group, Byrd was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame posthumously in 2012 as a member of the Famous Flames. Byrd was also a 1998 recipient of the Rhythm and Blues Foundation's Pioneer Award, and was inducted into the National Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame with the Famous Flames in 2020. == Early life and career == Bobby Howard Byrd was born in Toccoa, Georgia, to a religiously devout family where they were respected members of the church congregation and active in their neighborhood. Byrd started being active in his local church choir with the gospel group, the Zioneers, later making a name for himself as member of the Gospel Starlighters, which included his sister Sarah. At a time when church elders disapproved of secular singing, the band members would leave their home state and perform in South Carolina as the R&B group the Avons, leaving gospel behind. The original group consisted of Byrd, who played piano and organ and sang lead vocals, Nafloyd Scott, Fred Pulliam, and Doyle Oglesby.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.