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Homburger, Martin M., (photog.)

Bobby “Mr. TNT Duke. [Photo archive of ‘60s R&B singer Bobby Duke.]

Cambridge, Mass.: 20 August 1967 and thereabouts. 68 color photos, 3.5” x 4.75”. Many with photographer’s stamp in red on verso, some some also stamped “Proof.”.

A delightful archive of promotional photos capturing a number of performances by the obscure African-American R&B singer Bobby Duke, apparently in the Boston area, reflecting the black music scene there in the late ‘60s.

A forgotten figure whose brief career nevertheless burned brightly, Bobby “Mr. TNT” Duke, whose band was called Bobby Duke & The Dukes, produced at least two 7” singles, “I Gotta Be With You / Smothering Your Love,” released by Verve Records in 1967 and “Pledging My Love / Crazy Pete” released by Highland Records (date unknown). In the scenes captured here, Duke wears a variety of jump suits (white, purple, etc.) and performs with various iterations of his band backing him—some including African-American musicians—playing horns, guitars, drums, etc. The musicians are often shown standing on boxes bearing the names “Miles,” “Bobby,” “Jimmy,” and “Cliff.” Several images capture Duke very much in action, singing, smiling, strutting about the stage, and working up a sweat. A number of shots picture an unidentified black singer in a flashy silver shirt, who may have opened for Duke; one image shows the man holding some sort of flaming prop employed in his act.

Duke’s band also included a number of black female back-up singers and dancers, who are as much the interest here as Duke himself, lending a great deal to the moment. They are shown performing on stage in skimpy dresses and relaxing backstage, looking cheerful; eating; dancing; doing their hair and make-up; wearing black gloves; reading the newspaper; sweeping up; smoking cigarettes; having drinks, and so on. One image shows a back-up singer sitting with notecards on her lap, apparently preparing for a performance. In several images, a woman can be seen dancing suspended from the club’s ceiling. The members of the audience are predominately white, but in several shots two well-dressed black audience members can be seen.

A lively and appealing document of the African American music scene of the late ‘60s.

REFERENCES: Bobby Duke at discogs.com

CONDITION: Good, slightly faded.

Item #6367

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