Robert Alexander "Bumps" Blackwell (May 23, 1918 – March 9, 1985) was an
American bandleader,
songwriter,
arranger, and
record producer, best known for his work overseeing the early
hits of
Little Richard, as well as grooming
Ray Charles,
Quincy Jones,
Ernestine Anderson,
Lloyd Price,
Sam Cooke,
Herb Alpert,
Larry Williams, and
Sly and the Family Stone at the start of their music careers.