Robert Bassett
Bob's musical influence began by listening to his mom's big band, ragtime and jazz records and his dad’s country and western. As he grew, he combined the influence of soul music, Motown, rhythm and blues, and funk to make his own signature sound.
By the end of high school, he joined a band as lead singer of The Dearly Beloved. The struggling band successfully put a unique style on current popular music. They became an opening band for such groups as The Four Seasons, Smokey Robinson, The Barbarians, The Drifters, The Foundations, and many more.
While in the military during the Vietnam era, Bob continued singing for the troops in Korea. His exposure to music was limited to Korean folk music and playing with his GI friends. After being discharged, he created the band, The Illusions, focusing on rhythm and blues. While his touring slowed down to have a family, he continued to write and began to play guitar. He has toured the United States with his now grown family, frequently singing harmonies with his son Brendon.
Bob's current music interest is a broad mix of different styles. He enjoys listening to such musicians as Don Reed, Mitch Ryder, Crystal Gayle, Stevie Wonder, Janis Joplin, Cesaria Evora (Cape Verde) Esther Satterfield, Samite/Tunula Eno, James Brown and the Staple Singers. His writing style ranges from rhythm and blues to country. Inspiration comes from the human experience, his own and observing those around him. A spark of an idea can come from a title, word, sound, feeling, picture or movie as well as deep passion and feelings.
His goal is to use Baha'i music to connect the hearts of Baha'is to the three Central Figures, Shoghi Effendi, martyrs and fellow human beings. He has also written music to connect the greater community to the teachings of Baha'u'llah.
You can get more information about Robert Bassett and his art at www.hadahproductions.com