The Life and Legacy of Robert “Barbecue Bob” Hicks

The Life and Legacy of Robert “Barbecue Bob” Hicks

Introduction: A Blues Legend Born from the Grill

Robert Hicks, better known as “Barbecue Bob,” left an indelible mark on early American blues. His nickname came from his job as a cook in a barbecue restaurant, a detail that became a defining part of his persona. One rare photograph captures him playing his guitar while wearing a full-length white apron and a cook’s hat, blending his roles as musician and chef seamlessly.

Early Life: Roots in Georgia

Born on September 11, 1902, in Walnut Grove, Georgia, Robert Hicks grew up in a family of sharecroppers. His parents, Charlie and Mary Hicks, worked the land, but Robert’s musical journey began early. In Newton County, he met Savannah “Dip” Weaver, who, along with her son Curley Weaver, taught Robert and his brother Charley Lincoln how to play guitar. As a child, Hicks learned to play both six-string and later twelve-string guitars, which shaped his distinctive sound.

Move to Atlanta and Musical Development

Around 1924, Hicks moved to Atlanta, where he immersed himself in the vibrant local blues scene. He worked various jobs while playing music on the side, gradually gaining recognition. His big break came when Columbia Records’ talent scout Dan Hornsby discovered him while Hicks was working at Tidwells’ Barbecue in a northern Atlanta suburb. Hornsby photographed Hicks in chef’s whites and dubbed him “Barbecue Bob,” a nickname that stuck and helped promote his recordings.

Career Highlights: Recording Success and Musical Style

Between 1927 and 1930, Hicks recorded an impressive 68 sides, becoming one of Columbia’s top-selling artists in the race records series. His debut, “Barbecue Blues,” released in March 1927, sold 15,000 copies quickly, establishing him as a major blues performer. His follow-up, “Mississippi Heavy Water Blues,” inspired by the 1927 Mississippi Flood, cemented his reputation. Hicks’s recordings often featured his signature “frailing” guitar style – an energetic, percussive technique reminiscent of clawhammer banjo playing – often using a bottleneck slide on his 12-string guitar.

He possessed a strong, expressive voice, embellished with growling and falsetto, which complemented his rhythmic guitar playing. Hicks’s repertoire included blues, traditional songs, spirituals, and topical songs like “We Sure Got Hard Times Now,” reflecting the hardships of the Great Depression. Notably, he recorded as part of the Georgia Cotton Pickers in December 1930, a group with Curley Weaver and Buddy Moss.

Tragic End and Lasting Influence

Sadly, Robert Hicks’s life was cut short at the age of 29 when he died of tuberculosis and pneumonia on October 21, 1931, in Lithonia, Georgia. His death was so poignant that his recording of “Mississippi Heavy Water Blues” was reportedly played at his graveside. Despite his brief career, Hicks’s innovative guitar style and lively recordings influenced many musicians. Eric Clapton famously performed and recorded “Motherless Child Blues,” bringing Hicks’s music to new audiences. Musicologist John Fahey also credited Hicks’s song “Poor Boy a Long Ways from Home” as a significant influence.

Legacy and Recognition

Though overshadowed later by finger-picking Piedmont blues styles, Barbecue Bob’s contributions remain essential to early Atlanta blues. His pioneering use of bottleneck slide guitar and percussive strumming helped shape regional blues styles. Today, his recordings are celebrated in compilations such as the 1978 “Brown-skin Gal” album and the reissues by Yazoo Records. His influence persists, reminding us of a talented musician whose life, though brief, left a lasting imprint on American music.

Conclusion: Remembering a Blues Pioneer

Robert “Barbecue Bob” Hicks’s story is one of talent, innovation, and tragedy. From the cotton fields of Georgia to the recording studios of New York, his music captured the spirit of his time. His unique style and spirited songs continue to inspire blues enthusiasts and musicians alike. Hicks’s legacy proves that even a short life can make a profound impact when fueled by passion and creativity.