Bobby Sharp
Bobby Sharp was a notable American songwriter and pianist, born on November 26, 1924, in Topeka, Kansas. His family moved to Kansas because it was a free state during slavery times. Sharp's early life was marked by the stories of his great-grandmother, who was a slave, and his family's experiences during the Great Depression. His parents sent him to Los Angeles to live with relatives while they sought opportunities in New York.
Sharp's father, a concert tenor, found modest success on Broadway, and the family lived in a culturally rich environment in Harlem during the peak of the Harlem Renaissance. Sharp moved to New York at age 12, where his family socialized with prominent figures like Duke Ellington and Langston Hughes. This vibrant atmosphere fueled Sharp's interest in music.
After serving in the Army during World War II, Sharp used the GI Bill to study music at the Greenwich School of Music and the Manhattan School of Music, focusing on music theory and piano. Encouraged by family friend and arranger Sy Oliver, he pursued songwriting.
Sharp achieved commercial success with his 1956 single "Baby Girl of Mine," later covered by Ruth Brown. His most famous work, "Unchain My Heart," became a hit for Ray Charles in 1961. Despite initially selling the rights to the song for a small sum, Sharp later sued and regained some royalties.
Throughout his career, Sharp's songs were recorded by artists like Sarah Vaughn and Sammy Davis Jr., and he collaborated with notable musicians and songwriters. He passed away on January 28, 2013, in Alameda, California, leaving behind a legacy of influential music and a life rich in cultural experiences.
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