Robert W. Green

The Legendary Robert "Bobby" Green embraced heavenly sunlight on March 18, 2021 at the age of 84. He was a beloved husband, son, brother, father, grandfather, teacher, mentor, composer, performer and arranger.

Bobby was a pioneer and a groundbreaking African American musician in the Syracuse area who went on to become a member of the SAMMYS (Syracuse Area Music Awards) Hall of Fame and one of the most revered and beloved Syracuse musicians of all time. He was inducted into the Syracuse Area Music Awards Hall of Fame in 2005.

During his impressive 60-year career, Bobby played and led several groups that featured a number of wide-ranging styles and genres including doo-wop, blues, rock and funk to rhythm and blues, which became his signature style. In his legendary career, he shared the main stage with major recording artists and music industry stars like The Platters and Sly & The Family Stone. Bobby began his Syracuse playing career in the church before performing publicly with a doo wop group called The 5 Points in 1953, followed by stints with the 4 ½ Notes and the Harmonetts, before breaking through with The Eldaros, who scored hit records with their original compositions "Baby Child" and "Please Surrender".

As a bandleader, Bobby also fronted a number of other notable and dynamic Syracuse groups throughout his legendary career including Bobby Green and the Hi-Fi's, Breeze, Black Hammer, The Soul Brothers, Blue, Greens and Beans, and A Cut Above, which he formed in 1993 and played with for more than two decades. He was a regular at the B&B Lounge and at Shifty's Bar & Grill in Syracuse where he also played each year on his birthday.
Always close to his community, Bobby elected to base his career in Syracuse in favor of hitting the road for greater recognition. In his words… "Fame and money wasn't our goal. Just to be able to sing, whether on a street corner, doorway or stage, was to us big time". Sing and play he did, as one of Syracuse's hardest working musicians.

In an interview with The Stand following the passing of two of his longtime musical colleagues, Roosevelt Dean and Jeff Houston, Bobby said… "When it's my time to go, I want to go out like they did – playing."

He is predeceased by his Parents Ida and William "Bill" Green; Wife, Pauline Green; Daughter, Christine Green; Son, Mark A. Green; Girlfriend of 15 years, Georgiann Pullin-Bowles; Sisters, Pricilla Curtis, Marjorie Cheeks; Brothers, Raymond "Chee Chee" Green and Dexter "Deckie" Green.

Bobby is survived by his Children, Robert W. (Diann) Green Jr., Mary Louise Stokes, Kevin J. Green, DeBorah Little, Paul (Connie) Green, Nicholas Green, Donovan Green, Michael (Nadia) Baker, Angel Kelly, Mack Davis, Monica Green, Tiffany (Maurice) Randle-Frazier and Deion Green; Sisters, Cynthia Roundtree and Regina Williams; 37 Grandchildren, 41 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great-Great Grandchildren; As well as a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, 12-1 PM at Antioch Baptist Church, 104 Elizabeth St., Syracuse with a service to follow at 1 PM. Burial to follow in Valley Cemetery.

To leave a message of condolence for Bobby's family, or to share a special memory of Bobby, visit the guestbook below.