Personal Memories by Jim Self

I had a 60 year relationship with the late, great Roger Bobo. Many words have been written about his life and extraordinary career — including Steve Oberheu’s book of his life, “Pirate Songs and Love Songs”.  So, not to repeat that stuff, I will try to relate my personal moments, feelings, opinions and experiences with him.

My first knowledge of Roger was in the late 60’s, when I heard his 1^st Solo album “Roger Bobo Plays the Tuba“.  It blew me away! I was studying with Harvey Phillips in New York then. Harvey was the most prominent tuba soloist in the world at the time. Then Roger shook up the tuba world. That LP stretched the tuba technique, range and energy level to its extremes...