Bobby Osborne, the lead singer and mandolinist of the Osborne Brothers, a groundbreaking bluegrass group known for their hits “Rocky Top” and “Ruby, Are You Mad?,” passed away on June 27 at the age of 91. His son, Bobby Osborne Jr., confirmed the news without disclosing the cause of death.
Mr. Osborne was one of the last remaining musicians from bluegrass music’s early days, beginning his career in the late 1940s as a guitarist with the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. He held the distinction of being the oldest regular performer on the Grand Ole Opry until his passing. He and his brother, Sonny Osborne, joined the show’s cast in 1964 and Mr. Osborne’s last appearance was on May 19.
The Osborne Brothers made “Rocky Top” famous after recording it in 1964. The song, written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, depicts a city dweller yearning for the simplicity of their rural Tennessee hometown. It quickly became popular, eventually becoming the unofficial anthem for the University of Tennessee football team and a state song for Tennessee in 1982.
Innovation was a hallmark of the Osborne Brothers’ music, much to the chagrin of bluegrass purists. They incorporated amplification, drums, piano, and electric bass into their arrangements, pushing the boundaries of the genre. They even experimented with pedal steel guitar and string sections on occasion. These bold artistic choices resulted in over a dozen chart-topping hits on the Billboard charts during a time when country radio largely ignored bluegrass music. Some of their notable tracks include “Once More” (1958), credited to the Osborne Brothers and Red Allen, “Making Plans” (1965), and “Tennessee Hound Dog” (1969).
Fans adored Bobby Osborne for his distinctively mournful voice. While traditional bluegrass harmonies typically feature one voice leading the melody with tenor and baritone harmonizing above and below, the Osborne Brothers inverted this structure. Mr. Osborne’s falsetto tenor took the lead while the other voices provided support beneath him. This unique style, known as “high lead,” became their signature sound.
Robert Van Osborne Jr. was born on December 7, 1931, in Hyden, Kentucky, and later moved to Dayton, Ohio, with his parents. During his teenage years, he played electric guitar in country bands, influenced by honky-tonk singer Ernest Tubb. However, his voice underwent an unexpected transformation, growing higher instead of lower. This change allowed him to imitate the high-pitched vocal style of Bill Monroe, the iconic figure in bluegrass music.
In 1949, the Osborne brothers relocated to Bluefield, West Virginia, where they joined the Lonesome Pine Fiddlers. The trio recorded their first songs in 1951, featuring their sister Louise on lead vocals. After serving in the Marine Corps during the Korean War, Mr. Osborne, now playing the mandolin, formed his own group in Detroit with Sonny and singer-guitarist Jimmy Martin. However, conflicts over leadership led to Martin’s departure, and Red Allen replaced him on vocals and guitar when the group signed with MGM Records. In 1956, they achieved their first hit with “Ruby, Are You Mad?,” a vocal interpretation of the fiddle tune “Rueben’s Train,” with both brothers showcasing their banjo-playing skills.
The Osborne Brothers were pioneers in bringing bluegrass music to college campuses, performing at Antioch College in Ohio in 1960 and gaining popularity among northern schools. They also appeared at the Newport Folk Festival and made history as the first bluegrass band to perform at the Nixon White House in 1973. The Country Music Association recognized their talent with the award for best vocal group in 1971, and they were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Hall of Fame in 1994.
Sonny Osborne retired from performing in 2005 and passed away in 2021. Bobby Osborne continued his musical journey with a new group called Rocky Top X-Press, featuring his son Bobby Jr. In 2017, he released his last album, “Original,” and had completed another record before his death.
Bobby Osborne Jr. is survived by his wife of 38 years, Karen Harr, their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, as well as his sister and other family members. Despite the inevitable question of retirement, Mr. Osborne expressed his unwavering commitment to music, vowing to continue as long as he was able to sing, play, and think effectively.
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