The Untold Story of Bobby Hebb’s Music, Legacy and Life – Interview With Mary Love
Brainz Magazine Exclusive Interview
Mary Love, daughter of legendary singer-songwriter Bobby Hebb, is on a mission to ensure the world remembers not just the iconic song “Sunny,” but the extraordinary man who created it. With a unique personal perspective on her father’s life and musical legacy, she shares the stories behind his remarkable career and lasting influence on music history. Her dedication to preserving his legacy goes beyond his musical achievements, celebrating his resilience, groundbreaking career and enduring message of love, hope and kindness.
As CEO of Bobby Hebb Studios, Mary Love keeps her father’s legacy alive through rare performances, historical photographs, personal memories and storytelling. Her work introduces new generations to Bobby Hebb’s influence on American music and his contributions to Black music history. In this interview, Mary shares what it was like growing up with a musical legend, the inspiration behind her children’s book and why preserving her father’s story matters now more than ever.
Mary Love, CEO of Bobby Hebb Studios
What inspired you to create Bobby Hebb Studios, and what does preserving your father’s legacy mean to you?
Yes. Daddy worked very hard. He had been an entertainer since he was three years old. He played the spoons and even got a spot on the Grand Ole Opry as a child! I simply want to honor him and his memory. I am his daughter, and he means so much to me. I have memories of him playing any instrument; he could always play it. He could always play it. Bobby Hebb Studios is his website. It’s a place to learn about him and me too. There are videos of one of his performances. We put a lot of work into it, and I’m finally happy with how it turned out.
Why is helping spread love and your father’s message so important to you?
When I was a child, Daddy would confide in me about his music and why he wrote things the way he did. He told me that he wrote “Sunny” so it could be sung by anyone and represent anything they loved. He also wrote “Sunny” to cheer up the country after JFK was killed and after my dad’s brother was killed. He wrote “Sunny” from his heart. Spreading love is one of the easiest ways you can be of service. Meditating, and sending love through visualization is how I spread love. Helping homeless people whenever I can is spreading love. Giving to the “least of these” is the way I spread love. It’s important because love is needed.
Can you share a fond memory between you and your father?
Sure! When I was little, I used to try and play many instruments. I tried the piano, violin, clarinet, guitar, and drums. Through each attempt, Daddy would play too! When I played the violin, he played the viola. When I played the guitar, he gave us matching faux Les Paul Jr.’s. When I played the clarinet, he played the oboe. He was amazing. He was always matching me. He encouraged me so much, and he was always proud of my attempt to learn the way he did.
What inspired you to write your book? Who do you want it to help educate?
I wrote my book after watching a video in an online class. It was a Law of Attraction class. So, in this class, they shared many stories of others' success. They talked about a man in his 90s who became rich, remarried after his wife died, and was making a fortune in real estate. He lived to be over 100 and guest starred on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. I was so inspired by his life.
It was a time of COVID lockdown. People were afraid. A lot of people believed things would never be the same. One day, I sat down to write. I had taken Children’s Literature and loved it. It was interesting, though, because I didn’t follow the steps I learned in school. Writing this book just flowed out of me and onto the written pages. I want this book to encourage the “once a week” family member. I wanted this to encourage the child whose parents divorced. I wanted this book to warm the hearts of children and their daddies all over the world. I wanted to show that consistency in showing up and being loving could make such an impact on a child’s life.
What inspired you to persevere and share Bobby Hebb’s story with audiences today?
Well, after he died, I met his music manager and media expert. Daddy had already started to have an online presence, so I wanted to honor that and continue it. I added a bit of my creativity too.
What were some important life lessons your father taught you that you use today?
He was a very generous man. So am I. He cared deeply about people. I do too! He showed me that good manners and a smile go a long way. He was kind to everybody. He never cared what your race or nationality was; he judged your character. I learned to be polite, kind, and smile. I learned to be a big tipper.
What makes Bobby Hebb's musical journey a story worth continuing to tell?
Well, he came from a family that was dirt poor. They had a lot of love in their hearts and expressed it through music. He was one of the first Black performers to ever sing at the Grand Ole Opry. He did this in grade school. He went on to have an incredible career where he found that everybody loved “Sunny.” It has been covered by numerous artists. Frank Sinatra recorded “Sunny” with Duke Ellington; Stevie Wonder covered “Sunny”; Cher covered “Sunny”; Dean Martin covered “Sunny”; the list goes on and on, including TLC. My dad's story can inspire people. His song is now one of BMI's top 25 songs of all time. He created a song people love today! Also, he opened up for the Beatles in 1966 for the whole tour. It never fails: everywhere I go, people love “Sunny,” but they don't know who Bobby Hebb is. I want to change that and honor my dad.
How does Bobby Hebb Studios help people discover and appreciate his music and legacy?
Bobby Hebb Studios is his website. There are recordings of him performing, pictures of his childhood, links to Facebook pages about him, pictures of him with the Beatles, etc.
What can people discover and experience when they connect with Bobby Hebb Studios?
They can experience a telling of my dad's legacy through pictures, articles, videos, and links. They can also connect with me. I have a link to my children's book that I wrote about Daddy. Also, I have several interviews on Bobby Hebb Studios.
Why is preserving music history and an artist's story important for future generations?
This is important because it's a part of history that was cutting edge. My dad grew up in the Deep South in the 1930s. He experienced the things happening at that time, but he remained loving. He broke racial barriers and continued to perfect his craft, and he is now a part of real music history. It's important that younger generations know how things truly were.
What lessons can today's artists and creatives learn from Bobby Hebb's career and creative journey?
Play his sheet music. My dad wrote a plethora of songs. One of them won a Grammy for Lou Rawls and my dad. He was incredibly disciplined in his musical studies and knew how to play many instruments well.
How do you keep Bobby Hebb's timeless music relevant for new generations of listeners?
Well, it doesn't hurt that artists like Billie Eilish, Mos Def, and TLC revive his music, but it's got a positive message: Things will get better with gratitude, patience, and a Sunny disposition.
Follow Mary Love on Instagram and Facebook, and visit Bobby Hebb Studios to discover more about Bobby Hebb’s inspiring story and timeless musical legacy.
