Bob Abrahamian
Bob Abrahamian was a DJ, oral historian, archivist, and record collector extraordinaire. Abrahamian’s fascination with Chicago music started in the 1990s after he purchased a turntable and began scouring thrift stores for records in order to learn about the soul songs sampled by hip-hop artists. During deep dives into the original samples, he uncovered a rich catalog of “sweet soul,” a sub-genre with lush vocal harmonies unique to the South and West Sides of Chicago that became Bob’s collecting and listening focus.
Bob hosted a weekly radio show, “Sitting in the Park,” on the University of Chicago’s radio station, WHPK-FM. The show focused on the neglected history of rare soul and R&B music and highlighted the life stories of both known and unknown soul artists. Bob shared his extensive record collection with everyone. He DJ’d at local clubs, shared original copies of 45s with the artists that made them, and served as a sherpa in online forums for anyone looking to learn about rare soul records.
At the time of his death in 2014, Bob’s collection numbered over 32,000 vinyl singles, and includes publicity photos, yearbooks, albums, sheet music, recordings of his radio show, and over 100 artist interviews. You can access Bob’s radio interviews and music shows at sittinginthepark.com, a site created Bob and still maintained by his family.
The Stax Museum is grateful to Bob’s parents, Frida and Vasken Abrahamian, and his sister, Jenny, for donating the Bob Abrahamian Collection to the museum in 2020.
Sitting in the Park
The phrase “Sitting in the Park” evokes the image of Bob meticulously listening to his vast collection, discovering hidden gems in the shadows of more famous recordings. This section of the exhibit invites visitors to experience the depth and breadth of Bob’s musical knowledge, showcasing rare and obscure tracks that might otherwise have been lost to time.
Supporting the Collection
The Bob Abrahamian Collection is a living testament to the power of music preservation. Visitors are encouraged to support this invaluable resource through various means, ensuring that future generations can continue to explore and appreciate the rich tapestry of soul music history. Your support helps maintain and expand this unique collection, keeping Bob’s legacy and the sounds he loved alive for years to come.