Bob was one of the great soul lovers, his collection insane, his knowledge immense. From his little flat in Chicago he searched the internet, tracking down long forgotten artists, many he would later interview on his seminal radio show ' Sitting In The Park'

He will be missed by some many collectors around the world and the artists that knew him as a friend. Prickly at times, but if you stuck with it you were rewarded with a truly warm friendship. I will miss him so much, a true 'One Off', travel well my friend.

Fantastic mike .... please stick up Paypal address for contributions (y)

Found this online flolrist beside the funeral home ...https://www.flowerdeliveryexpress.com/send-flowers-skokie-il.html?gclid=CPv16OGf6r4CFWf3wgodx1sAZg arrangements can be made same day within 4 hours .

 

Funeral home address : Piser Funeral Services, 9200 Skokie Blvd. Skokie.

 

Any left over monies could be donated here, a Jewish organisation, in Bob's name ? https://www.ohelfamily.org/?q=mentalhealth/depression

Edited June 8, 201410 yr by Philly

Big write up on him at this link https://voices.suntimes.com/arts-entertainment/the-daily-sizzle/death-of-soul-music-collector-preservationist-devastating-to-chicago-cultural-history/

 

A legend who i was lucky enough to have a bit of email correspondence with at times.

So, so sad to read that article and the circumstances of his death.

Listening to his last show now..... 

His contribution was immense and his philosophy towards the music and artists was pure. Even sadder he felt that it would not be valued and all the more important to preserve his work as a memorial.

Florist beside funeral home is probably the best bet.

 

(If Interflora still any use they do deliver to Skokie. Can accept orders up to 6 p.m. today and from 7 a.m. tomorrow.)

A few days off SS and I come back to this... Very sad news indeed!

 

Never met Bob in person but communicated many times over various forums over the years.

His interviews with the 'unsung' heros of the Chicago soul scene over the years were and still are essential listening.

Its hard to put in words what a sad loss this is.

My thoughts go out to all his family and friends, RIP Bob 

A real shock but more than that it's so sad - Be at peace Boba  Ade

Mike has set up a donations tab for floral tribute for Bob .. it is at the top right, thanks Mike ..

Mike has set up a donations tab for floral tribute for Bob .. it is at the top right, thanks Mike ..

 

Now a thread here

 

 

which takes you to a donation  page which has a brief explanation 

 

best if use that thread for any discussion on the donation side

 

mike

Local collectors and djs have confirmed an open-decks memorial tribute for Tuesday, June 10 at 8pm here in Chicago following Bob's services. 

 

Details:

 

The Owl

2521 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60647

 

more info here

So sad for someone to die so young. One of the great things about Bob, was that he was a firm believer in making the artists and music come first. RIP Bob

A legend who i was lucky enough to have a bit of email correspondence with at times.

So, so sad to read that article and the circumstances of his death.

Listening to his last show now..... 

His contribution was immense and his philosophy towards the music and artists was pure. Even sadder he felt that it would not be valued and all the more important to preserve his work as a memorial.

I was especially sad that the article said he didn't think anyone would think of him gone! He knew how respected he was on the scene. Having lost a close friend in recent months it must be an absolute torment not to be able to fight this inclination of taking your own life!  RIP Bob

What I liked about Bob was that he interviewed the real and everyday person involved in the music business that never quite made the big time,and for those people who have a deep interest in the music we love he did us proud,so thanks for that Bob.On a little more personal note I have never met Bob but used to message him about things,a few years ago I asked him a real bizzar question with good intent and thought he will never answer this crazy request but he did,he took time out for me over nothing I guess.Only hope now with utter respect for the loss that someone will not replace Bob (that will be impossible) but can continue the legacy that this great man started. Be at peace now Bob no dought your already looking out for those singers who went to heaven before yourself sir.

I recorded this mix back in early May for the Funky16Corners Pledge Drive.  Today it went public & it includes a few musings on Bob which I typed up only a few hours after learning of his passing.  Ironically it was intended as a Sweet Soul Primer & I had actually messaged Bob while I was recording it joking about how he would be proud of me for finally playing the "correct" sides of these 45s.  Posthumously I dedicate it to him.  Enjoy the music.  https://funky16corners.com/?p=4842

keep in touch

Don't worry.  I ain't goin' nowhere!   

Have bought and sold to him myself and like everyone else i am gutted at this news.I am 65 today and have been into Soul Music since i was 17 and i will be lucky if i have 1% of Bob's knowledge.

R.I.P. Bob.

I know what you mean.  I'm 68, and I was living in Chicago when that music was made, and buying tonnes of obscure Chicago 45s during those days, and Bob knew not only about hundreds of Chicago Soul records I never knew existed, and knew all about who made them and how and why.  The beauty is that all his hard work helped educate all of us with more knowledge, understanding, and made a lot of previously unknown music available to us, and helped those forgotten artists get some long overdue recognition.  I sad to learn that he so undervalued the impact of his own hard work.

Boba legend had the opportunity to communicate with him via soul source what a guy and wealth of knowledge

r.i.p Boba

dave L

Very sad news indeed. Before seeing this thread in the last hour Boba was just another expert on here that I am genuinely in awe of.

It's heart breaking that it takes a tragedy like this to bring a person from behind the avatar. My sincere condolences to his family and close friends but also to all those of you on SS who knew him and had any sort of relationship with the man. He clearly touched and influenced many peoples' lives in one way or another.

 

Rest in peace fella.

 

Drew. 

As just another person who never met him, and "merely" hugely respected his immense knowledge and enthusiasm, I wasn't going to post on here...

 

But... upon reading the circumstances around his passing, and how young he was (I always assumed he must have been in his fifties or sixties due to his expertise) I felt compelled to post. My mind is flabbergasted at the sheer volume of information he accumulated in such a short time, and the fact that he didn't think his contribution would be remembered saddens me greatly. Such a shame.

 

I am hoping that his family will be shown this thread and see the amount of respect he commanded, and the genuine fondness in which he was held in this community. And so my sympathies are with his family and friends at this tragic time... 

Edited June 8, 201410 yr by cover-up

As just another person who never met him, and "merely" hugely respected his immense knowledge and enthusiasm, I wasn't going to post on here...

 

But... upon reading the circumstances around his passing, and how young he was (I always assumed he must have been in his fifties or sixties due to his expertise) I felt compelled to post. My mind is flabbergasted at the sheer volume of information he accumulated in such a short time, and the fact that he didn't think his contribution would be remembered saddens me greatly. Such a shame.

 

I am hoping that his family will be shown this thread and see the amount of respect he commanded, and the genuine fondness in which he was held in this community. And so my sympathies are with his family and friends at this tragic time... 

I feel that way, too.  I just can't imagine how he could have thought that.  I can understand that he might have been frustrated about how little the artists that he met and interviewed were appreciated, even after his efforts.  But he HAD to have known that he was doing some good for them, AND the people to whom he introduced their music.  It's very sad that he may have taken his own life because he couldn't see the good he was doing.

Very sad news. Clearly a very dedicated and respected chap. Depression is an awful illness.

Deeply saddened by this. There are so many on here who would have described Bob as a friend yet the circumstances of his death are not ones that imply a world wide network of true friendships.  I'm not the best at just touching base with people for the sake of it, maybe that is a male trait. What I do know is that I wish I'd been closer than the odd clumsy attempt to get some obscure info or to score a hidden Chicago gem.  I really wish Bob could have voiced his feelings in a way that could have avoided the eventual outcome. 

 

I'm saddened by his passing, sad I'll not get the chance to know him better, sad for his family and a little ashamed that collectively the world is a place where this sort of thing happens all too often.

 

God's speed 'Boba', I only wish you had known your real value to this world. 

This is tragic news, and my heart felt condolences go to his family who must be devastated. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him well, and those who only knew him on places like this forum.

I hope you are at peace now
Mick

Deeply saddened by this. There are so many on here who would have described Bob as a friend yet the circumstances of his death are not ones that imply a world wide network of true friendships.  I'm not the best at just touching base with people for the sake of it, maybe that is a male trait. What I do know is that I wish I'd been closer than the odd clumsy attempt to get some obscure info or to score a hidden Chicago gem.  I really wish Bob could have voiced his feelings in a way that could have avoided the eventual outcome. 

 

I'm saddened by his passing, sad I'll not get the chance to know him better, sad for his family and a little ashamed that collectively the world is a place where this sort of thing happens all too often.

 

God's speed 'Boba', I only wish you had known your real value to this world. 

I agree with you that if he had had several true friends with deep friendships, that this tragedy MAY have been avoided (or, at least delayed-but depression is a tricky thing). 

But, I don't think it is fair to undervalue the levels of contact we all shared with him.  It was the most possible, given the great geographical distance between us.  True that those that only had contact with him through e-mail and forum threads, and only talked about their common interest in music were only acquaintances.  Some of us talked to him often on the telephone, and spent short but intense time with him on visits to Chicago.  Then, subjects other than music are discussed and they got to see each other in a different light.  It is true that it might take MANY such trips before people in that scenario could even have the opportunity to become "true friends" who have become comfortable enough with one another to reveal their innermost feelings.  Bob's biggest chance to have someone close to talk to would have been any deep friendships he had with local people, and close family members.   But, even having several such deep friendships doesn't always preclude deep depression from putting the afflicted person in the irrational frame of mind to decide to take his or her own life.  Physical differences in the brain and chemical differences can be involved.

 

I can say that Bob and I were just "friendly acquaintances".  But, I still feel a big loss.

I agree with you that if he had had several true friends with deep friendships, that this tragedy MAY have been avoided (or, at least delayed-but depression is a tricky thing). 

But, I don't think it is fair to undervalue the levels of contact we all shared with him.  It was the most possible, given the great geographical distance between us.  True that those that only had contact with him through e-mail and forum threads, and only talked about their common interest in music were only acquaintances.  Some of us talked to him often on the telephone, and spent short but intense time with him on visits to Chicago.  Then, subjects other than music are discussed and they got to see each other in a different light.  It is true that it might take MANY such trips before people in that scenario could even have the opportunity to become "true friends" who have become comfortable enough with one another to reveal their innermost feelings.  Bob's biggest chance to have someone close to talk to would have been any deep friendships he had with local people, and close family members.   But, even having several such deep friendships doesn't always preclude deep depression from putting the afflicted person in the irrational frame of mind to decide to take his or her own life.  Physical differences in the brain and chemical differences can be involved.

 

I can say that Bob and I were just "friendly acquaintances".  But, I still feel a big loss.

I understand your point Robb and I wasn't meaning to undervalue either people's personal relationships with Bob, their sense of loss or judge their level of contact.  I certainly know from family experience that with depression comes irrationality of thought and sometimes nothing you can say or do will help.  I truly wish this wasn't the case and there was a way to help people with depression see the positive influences they have on so many people around them.  The circle of positive influence Bob had is wider than most but as you say people with depression don't see that.  That for me is the saddest part.

I only heard about Bob's passing last night.

 

Shocked and saddened by the loss of a good bloke.

 

Rest in peace Bob.

Only heard about this early today, having been away from SS and Soul in general all weekend. I got talking to him on here, the same as a lot of us, listened to his shows, got his lists, bought a couple of things, and learned an awful lot along the way.

He had a true passion for soul music, and had learned everything he could about the music, the artists, the labels, every aspect he could, and the knowledge he held was vast.

His first real communication to me was to offer to 'clean up' and improve the sound a scruffy looking record for me, albeit a £300 scruffy looking record, "just pay the postage over here, and I'll do it for you, and post it back" - Had never spoken to the guy before, and he wasn't that well known to quite a few others on here judging by the pm's I got about his offer! Turned out it was as genuine an offer as I'd ever have got from anybody I'd ever known, he was just that sort of guy.

 

Always enjoyed his posts, even though I had the odd... 'disagreement'! Nearly always learned something new though! This site has lost a major contributor, one that had the time to answer any questions he could, and be (reasonably) pleasant about it, most of the time, too - whether those questions had come from somebody with a decent knowledge already, or someone new, who was just starting on their discoveries.

 

My heart goes out to his family and close friends, I hope they know how much respect there was for him on Soul Source. 

 

R.I.P. Boba

 

Paul

x

I ' m sure the Waxidermy forum won' t object to all Bob's show's being linked all 3.24 gb of his shows, interviews,mixes assembled by R H . 

 

Take a bow - well done .

 

Everything on his site was archived here today, courtesy of my friend RH:

https://robzilla-beats.com/sittinginthepark.zip

183 shows, 122 interviews, and 3.24G. We are not going to lose this.

Don't know if this has been already mentioned, but for those who feel the need.

https://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Robert-Abrahamian&lc=4636&pid=171263020&mid=6000566

 

I don't think this has been mentioned before- thanks for posting the link !

you're welcome.

 

R.I.P Boba I'll never forget you buddy.. Thanks for archiving the history of soul music.. thanks for teaching me so much.. You'll never be forgotten

always took time to answer my questions. never made me feel silly, no matter how trivial my questions were. or lack of knowledge.

 

wish there were more like him. not just on the soul scene - but in the world. 

Oh boba,

I'm so sorry you've gone,you'll be sorely missed.

condolences to his sister, mother ,father, and grandfather..

 

R.I.P. BOB.

 

ricky.

I personally never knew or had any dealings with the guy, but the posts on here are testament to the high esteem in which he was held.  Always sad when one of our own goes.  RIP Bob.

R.I.P Sir....

loved the sitting in the park show  so sad this  RIP  BOB....                                             

Edited June 10, 201410 yr by stsoul

A fitting tribute from Chicago.

 

https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/06/09/sweet-soul-the-generosity-and-tragedy-of-soul-historian-bob-abrahamian

I just wanted to say thanks so much to all of Soul Source who sent flowers - they were gorgeous and massive and right next to Bob during the visitation yesterday.

 

The visitation had a huge turn out which of course made the whole thing so tragic. He was a key figure of our soul scene here in Chicago and, as noted in the articles, was the "go to" guy for fact checking and any kind of soul research. He was especially involved with many Numero Group projects, some that have not even come out yet

 

Jake Austen wrote an article which hasn't been posted to this thread yet that reveals more of bobA, the person https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/06/09/sweet-soul-the-generosity-and-tragedy-of-soul-historian-bob-abrahamian

 

Like many of you I only knew Bob the collector, researcher, DJ, radio host, and encyclopaedia of Chicago soul. I sold him some records at a local fair once and would see him around a lot. I just wish I could have told him exactly how important his work was to the world. He was a bit shy in person but always upbeat, very positive, and seemed so passionate about life (through the music). I honestly had no idea he was struggling.

 

His book of glossy photos was on display at the visitation - a truly amazing collection. Pages and pages of Dells, Fascinations, Darrow Fletcher, and on and on. It was heartbreaking to flip through.

 

It was open casket and he looked peaceful with a penguin tucked into his pocket. So tragic. I just hope he can finally find some peace.

A fitting tribute from Chicago.

 

https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/06/09/sweet-soul-the-generosity-and-tragedy-of-soul-historian-bob-abrahamian

amen to that, glyn 

both articles are fascinating and insightful, more's the pity that even the accreditors weren't as close to him as perhaps even they thought they were,..that the real man had such tension & anxiety bottled up as to be indistinguishable from his persona...from what's been said on here in the wake of what we know now, a good many of us feel the same, that we see the vital signs when it's too late. hindsight is an interminable millstone round all our necks...but perhaps, when all is said and done, bob's soul was just too good for this world...we REALLY DO never know what we've got til it's gone...as god is our judge, it must be for a greater good..may it be recorded here, amongst all members, that the 5th of june, 2014 be remembered with solemnity.

Edited June 10, 201410 yr by AGENTSMITH

A fitting tribute from Chicago.

 

https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/06/09/sweet-soul-the-generosity-and-tragedy-of-soul-historian-bob-abrahamian

 

Good grief - how moving. If someone chose to say of me "generosity was built into his DNA" I would know my life had been worthwhile.

 

He definitely fitted more than one "normal" life into his own short life.

I just wanted to say thanks so much to all of Soul Source who sent flowers - they were gorgeous and massive and right next to Bob during the visitation yesterday.

 

The visitation had a huge turn out which of course made the whole thing so tragic. He was a key figure of our soul scene here in Chicago and, as noted in the articles, was the "go to" guy for fact checking and any kind of soul research. He was especially involved with many Numero Group projects, some that have not even come out yet

 

Jake Austen wrote an article which hasn't been posted to this thread yet that reveals more of bobA, the person https://www.chicagoreader.com/Bleader/archives/2014/06/09/sweet-soul-the-generosity-and-tragedy-of-soul-historian-bob-abrahamian

 

Like many of you I only knew Bob the collector, researcher, DJ, radio host, and encyclopaedia of Chicago soul. I sold him some records at a local fair once and would see him around a lot. I just wish I could have told him exactly how important his work was to the world. He was a bit shy in person but always upbeat, very positive, and seemed so passionate about life (through the music). I honestly had no idea he was struggling.

 

His book of glossy photos was on display at the visitation - a truly amazing collection. Pages and pages of Dells, Fascinations, Darrow Fletcher, and on and on. It was heartbreaking to flip through.

 

It was open casket and he looked peaceful with a penguin tucked into his pocket. So tragic. I just hope he can finally find some peace.

 

Thanks for sharing that with us 

 

I know some of us feel helpless over here, and it's nice to know that we had a presence (a pretty gorgeous one by the sounds of it!!) in Bob's farewell.

 

The Penguin in the pocket was a nice touch & made me smile.

 

I'm sure he's now at peace 

 

Regards

 

Alison  

Edited June 10, 201410 yr by Alison H

Just back of holiday and saw the headline , can't believe it . Like many on here I didn't know Bob but loved his input and sometimes blunt answers , used to make me laugh.

Also his lack of understanding British humour sometimes was classic. What a real shame that he maybe didn't realise what good work he was doing for the scene in general.

 

Very sad indeed , top man Boba R.I.P matey 

Just back from Greece so been off-line for a few weeks .....

 

This news is just so so sad and my heart goes out to his family and friends.

 

I can only echo what many others have said ... it is a tragic loss for so many in differing ways .. the world has truly lost an inspirational man

 

Boba was a goldmine of information and we traded lots over the years ... and what I think I admired and respected about him the most was that he never took anything at face value .. he didn't believe rumour or myth but always set out to discover the truth and present the facts .. that often takes supreme effort and tenacity.

 

In my eyes he was on the way to becoming as important and influential as individuals such as Dave Godin when it came to researching, preserving and promoting the music of Black America .. in that respect he was selfless .. always happy to share information and help others .. that is something that many, and I include myself, are not always prepared to do.

 

I'll miss him terribly

 

Rest in peace Boba

 

Andy

Edited June 14, 201410 yr by Andy Rix

So sad to hear this.  I first posted here 6-7 years ago asking about the Commands.  Bob sent me a message and mailed me their discography on a CD-R without asking for anything in return.  Truly a generous and kind soul.

I Never knew Bob , like some others, but came across this photo of his record collection being "donated"

Clearly a man who was lovely in life and his family lovely after his passing

RIP and much respect

Still listen to his shows, at least twice a week, find it hard to listen elsewhere, his shows were, and still are, a great source to hear something you aint heard before, especially if Group Soul Harmony and Sweet Soul is your bag, his collection in that sphere is a joke, knowledge, which was considerable, always shared with his listeners at every opportunity. It didn't matter if it was super rare, or a standard classic, he belted them out, side by side. I know he's been gone a while now, and oh how we miss him, but he was, and always will be The Standed Bearer for his, and many more like minded, favourite genre 

Kev

 

6 hours ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I Never knew Bob , like some others, but came across this photo of his record collection being "donated"

Clearly a man who was lovely in life and his family lovely after his passing

RIP and much respect

I guess like many on here some of my 45's are in the boxes as I sold to Bob over the years. A gent, never really disagreed on price and always a pleasure to deal with👍.