About Bob Relf
Lived 1937 – 2007 (aged 70). Bob Relf was an American songwriter, record producer, singer, composer and musician.
Robert Nelson Relf (January 10, 1937 – November 20, 2007) was an American R&B and soul musician. Best known as half of the soul music duo Bob & Earl whose song, Harlem Shuffle was released in the US in 1963 and in the UK in 1964. It was re-released 1969 reaching No 7 in the UK charts. They recorded on the Combo and the Cash Record labels. Their "Our Love" an operatic ballad on the Cash label was described by the music writer Jim Dawson as one of Relf's best recordings – "a strange, lugubrious performance that sounds like nothing else".
Bob and Earl Bobby Day formed the original Bob & Earl duo in 1957 with Earl Nelson. When Day left to go solo in 1962, Relf took his place.
Bobby Garrett Using the pseudonym 'Bobby Garrett' he recorded two singles on the Mirwood label in 1966. "I Can't Get Away" became a Northern soul favourite in the UK and was used to advertise Kentucky Fried Chicken on national TV in the US. Also popular was "My Little Girl" which originally appeared as the flip side of the soulful ballad "Big Brother". It was re-released in the UK in 1974 using Relf's name but was by a completely different singer.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Bob Relf's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Bob Relf's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bob Relf?
American R&B musician
When was Bob Relf born?
Bob Relf was born on 10 January 1937 in Los Angeles.
When did Bob Relf die?
Bob Relf died on 20 November 2007 in Bakersfield.
What was Bob Relf's occupation?
Bob Relf was a songwriter, record producer, singer, composer and musician.
What nationality was Bob Relf?
Bob Relf was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bob Relf. https://biography.guide/bob-relf/
MLA: "Bob Relf." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bob-relf/.
Chicago: "Bob Relf." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bob-relf/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:18 UTC