Robert Cray in Oakland

Robert Cray is an American singer, guitarist and songwriter, born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1953. He formed the Robert Cray Band in Eugene, Oregon, in 1974 and became known for electric blues shaped by soul and R&B. The album Strong Persuader and its songs “Smoking Gun” and “Right Next Door (Because of Me)” are central to his catalogue. In 1986, Robert Cray played in Chuck Berry’s backing band at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis for the concerts filmed as Hail! Hail! Rock ’n’ Roll. The following year, the Robert Cray Band performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival, documenting the group’s established festival presence. In 2004, he appeared at Eric Clapton’s inaugural Crossroads Guitar Festival at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.