Bobby Parker, a soul-blues singer and guitarist whose recordings from the late 1950s and 1960s -- notably the propulsive groove of "Watch Your Step" -- influenced performers as varied as John Lennon, ...

In 1992, when Bill Duggan was looking for musicians to play his new club, Madam’s Organ, he got a call. The person on the phone said, “My name is Bobby Parker and I am the blues.” Duggan hired him.

WASHINGTON — Bobby Parker — a soul-blues singer and guitarist whose recordings from the late 1950s and 1960s, notably the propulsive groove of ‘‘Watch Your Step,’’ influenced performers as varied as ...