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Meet Bobby Parker, a pivotal figure in the blues and rock guitar pantheon. Born Robert Lee Parker in 1937 in Lafayette, Louisiana, Parker grew up in Los Angeles and built a career that spanned over six decades. Known for his energetic stage presence and innovative guitar work, Parker left a lasting imprint on a generation of players and songwriters. His signature track, Watch Your Step, released in 1961, helped bridge blues with early rock influences and caught the attention of listeners in both the U.S. and the U.K. Parker’s influence reached across the rock world, with icons like John Lennon and Led Zeppelin drawing on his riffs. He continued to perform and record into the 1990s and 2000s, with a late-career revival documented in retrospectives and live performances, including his appearance at Montreux as part of Santana’s Blues at Montreux project. Parker passed away on October 31, 2013, leaving behind a robust discography and a legacy that inspires players and fans today. Here, you’ll find a concise biography, highlights from his discography, and context for his ongoing influence in blues and rock circles.