Robert Alexander Bush continued to have a song in his heart until the day he died.

On Friday, Mr. Bush's song finally ceased after the effects of a debilitating sickness caused his death at the Downtown Veterans Administration Center Hospital.

He was 61.

The Augusta native was a popular vocalist in the area and was a featured singer with PlayBack "The Band" featuring Tutu D'Vyne.

Known as "Bobby Bush" to his many fans and friends, he enjoyed a stellar career as a musician before his diagnosis with sarcoidosis, a hardening of tissue inside the lung's wall.

"Music and singing was his passion," said his wife of 41 years, Betty Kennedy Bush. "He always enjoyed making people laugh, and he continued to do that until his final days."

Mr. Bush is survived by two sons, Antonio "Tony" Bush and Rodriquez "Smoky" Bush; and a daughter, Tamilyn Bush Walker.

"Me and my dad had a special bond," Mrs. Walker said. "From the time I was a little girl, he always looked out for me and I looked out for him. I'll miss his phone calls and his advice.

"He was my biggest (vocal) critic," said Mrs. Walker, a vocalist with The Joyful Voices at True Vine Baptist Church.

In a February 2007 article in The Augusta Chronicle , Mr. Bush spoke about how his physical condition forced him to leave PlayBack after 10 years.

"I just couldn't do it anymore ... my doctor said my singing abilities helped sustain my power and air capacity in my lungs," he said. "I'm just grateful I was able to sing for as long as I did."

After graduating from Lucy C. Laney High School in 1965, Mr. Bush was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam.

On and off the stage, he often sported Stetson hats, sharkskin suits and matching Stacey Adams shoes. He also worked as a salesman with Bell Clothiers on Broad Street.

As a member of the John Marshall Guardenias, Mr. Bush opened for James Brown at the Apollo Theater. He also worked with the groups Bubba Boyd's Rock 'n Roll Kings, The Monicos, Ron Norwood Revue and East Coast Players.

Mr. Bush is also survived by several grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements had not yet been finalized Sunday night.

Reach Timothy Cox at (706) 823-3217 or tim.cox@augustachronicle.com.