Bobby Blake: A Prodigal Son Part I

MOC: We're talking with Bobby Blake. Bobby, I want to thank you for taking the time out of what I'm sure is a very busy schedule since the publication of your book to speak with us. Welcome to MOC.

BB: I really appreciate the opportunity that you have afforded me, you and so many others to speak to the general public. If it wasn't for you guys I wouldn't be able to have such a network;  to reach out to those at a far distance. And I appreciate the opportunity.

MOC: Well, you’re welcome. Now for those of my readers that may not know this you just went to New York as part of your book tour, correct?

BB: That's correct.

MOC: How did that go for you and where did you set up shop in New York?

BB: Well it was the kick off of my book tour and I did that at the Gay and Lesbian Center in New York and the reason being I had been there before and I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the setting there. It was very in depth, a lot of questions, and so I wanted to go back there to New York because I have a huge fan base on the East Coast, especially in New York, to kick off my book tour.. It was a sell-out crowd. The book sold out.  As a matter of fact, we went over the time period there were still others asking questions and some had already read the book and they were amazed and also there was one guy who had been going through some problems and he received as a gift this book and by reading the book it has encouraged him and he was able to overcome those obstacles that he was facing.

MOC: Were you surprised at the number of book retailers that carried the book given the nature of your story?

BB: Well, I'm not surprised for the very simple reason that my book is not about sexual encounters. For the most part, if you do a survey, most of the guys who write books who have been in the porn industry… It's a gossip book. It's about who they’ve slept with; a lot of gossip. But my book is a very in-depth book. It's a book that has allows the general public into the sacred precinct of my life. And to get to know the real person from day one. My struggles and How Bobby Blake came over to be my philosophy. My theology.  My concept about life. My belief from both a spiritual and political perspectives.

MOC: Why did you write the book?

BB: Well, as I travelled so often in my adventure in porn and after retiring there were so many questions that were brought to me. And I decided to sit down and address the questions. And there were so many misconceptions and I wanted to straighten those out. So I wanted to sit down and write a book. And I'm glad I did that.

 

MOC: I'm glad you did, too. What you did in your book, or at least what I found, was that you challenged a lot of stereotypes of what it means to be young and black in America. And by that I mean, and I want to quote something from the book. On page 74, you wrote, "I prefer clear rules, discipline and a well-ordered hierarchy." Now, there are some people that would play into a racist stereotype that black males who grow up, especially males without both parents, are prone to drugs, criminal activity, those sorts of things. These are, of course, all stereotypes. But you're quite different. Can you elaborate on what is a recurring theme in your book about order and discipline?

BB: Well, my life has always been about structure. Discipline. I was brought up, you know, in a very spiritual home. I believe in the word of God. The Bible says: "Be not deceived. [Whatever]man soweth, that must he also reap." It also says that when you know better you should do better. So in understanding that concept in theology and believing in that I believe that there must be discipline in an individual's life. There's a place and time for all things. And being raised up being disciplined - not to say you're not going to make mistakes - you're not going to stray outside. But the thing about it is that you may go outside but you're never outside the hand and reach of The Almighty, God.  My book that I wrote is a parallel, my life is a parallel with that of The Prodigal Son. And so I take the reader on a journey of my life. And even though I was raised up in a strict religious home, some would say I went outside of my upbringing. I wouldn’t' sit here and try to argue with that. I would respect people's opinions. And their understanding of things. So, like the Prodigal Son, I returned to myself. I came back home.

MOC: Now something you relate early on in the book is your father's reaction to him finding out that your gay. (Bobby identifies himself as bisexual.) "There was a long pregnant pause when my father said, 'Well, we knew you were gay. We have gay friends. And the only thing we require you to do is to be honest with yourself. And respectful to yourself.' “Did that surprise you, that response?

BB: You know, I recall that moment when we were sitting there. At the dinner table. I was surprised and I wasn't surprised because there was so many that were trying to come onto me. They would come over to the house. And I would tell my mom to tell them I was in Africa or somewhere doing missionary work. I didn't want to be bothered. So what happened was I met this guy and he came over and I think my father could pick up on it. But nothing was said. And my mom would ask me and I would deny it. I would deny it, I would deny it, I would deny it. And we happened to be sitting there and eating and she asked me at the table and my father spoke up (it was very unusual for him to speak up on issues such as that). And he said, "I know you're gay." And I said, "Huh?" "I know you’re gay. Or, I know you're bisexual. You like both. The only thing we require and we expect of you is that you respect yourself. And be honest with yourself. And by being honest with yourself you'll be respected by others.' "That took a heavy load off of me.

MOC: Well, that's the impression that I got from the book as a whole. You demanded respect. You commanded it as well. And as a result you got it and that isn't something you find frequently with porn stars. They tend to be insecure. Many have or have had drug related problems. But you came into the business not drinking alcohol, not using drugs. (Bobby has never touched or used alcohol or drugs.) And it was probably something of a shock to an industry accustomed to having full and ultimate control over its actors.

BB: Well, let me say this. There are those that came into the door that were clean as a whistle. What The Industry did was introduce them to drugs. There are some producers, some directors using drugs themselves. But because of my upbringing, because of my strong faith, I was able to just walk through and not be bothered. If that's what you chose to do, that's you. But that was not my agenda. My agenda was to come into the industry and to enjoy myself and to be successful. It was a business for me. You have to understand it just wasn't an adventure. It was a business. And that's what these young people are coming to have to come to an understanding of. I never accepted the arrogance of others. I never let people walk over me. I never had that problem because of the way I carried myself from day one. And by taking care of my business, I took care of my directors. My producers. I took care of myself.

Comments

[Kevin]

I'm not too fond of BB but I am curious about his story.

[brian morgan]

I think he's an a-hole. He always talks about God and tries to seem like an altruistic moral authority.. or something self-righteous.

He's a man that has sex with couples and abuses young white men in his films, like they are slabs of meat.

I'm not saying that's bad, if he wants to do that, but don't judge everyone..like the people he talks crap about in his book.

Tiger Tyson is more of man than Blake is. Tyson also may dress down, but he smells good. Can Blake say the same, with his cheesy blouses and horrible breath? Get over yourself, Blake.

[John W.]

I've always been crazy about Bobby and his work. In print, he comes across as I would expect him to--straightforward.

[MOC Blog]

He's a Leo (my guess? double, even triple fire) and he was nothing but direct, straightforward and honest. And he's also remarkably intelligent. Not in the "If-you-analyze-Chaucer's-rhyming-schemes" sort of way but he reads people remarkably well. It was an honor talking with him. Thank you for commenting!

[Thomas McKenzie]

you know what bobby is a great guy and an insparation to us all he helped me understand because if a gay black man can still keep his faith in god and stil have a great carrer and sex life

[Sleaze]

Whatever you say about BB, you cant take it away from him- the fact is that he's a phenomenom. If he has a re think and wants to be a little more on the moral side of life-or let's say religious side of lif- so bladdy, freaking f**king what?
See, the dude has been a success and i associate with such- cos i want to be a success in my area of endeavour (now not necessarily porn). He thhought big, live(s or d) big and wants to be clean big. You rock BB.

[SIR MARK]

FIRST, I MUST SAY THANK YOU TO SIR BOBBY BLAKE, HE IS A VERY SMART
BUSINESS MAN AND A NICE GUY TO LEARN FROM, LIFE LESSON CAN BE LEARNED FROM HIM....I GOT A CHANCE TO TALK WITH HIM AT THE BOOK SIGNING, AND I CAME AWAY THINKING WOW, HE'S NOT LIKE WHAT HE PROTRAY'S
IN THOSE XXX MOVIES...HE'S A COOL GUY AND JUST FROM THE TIME WE HUNG-OUT VERY MELLOW, AND YES I WAS TAKEN BY HOW NICE HE IS, AND KEEP IN MIND HE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE NICE AT THIS POINT IN HIS LIFE...SO I WANT TO THANK YOU BOBBY BLAKE FOR TAKEN THE TIME FROM YOUR BUSY TIME TO TALK WITH ME YOU ARE A COOL BROTHER....OH BY THE WAY, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO STILL HAVE QUESTION ABOUT BOBBY BLAKE, HE HAS NICE BIG ARM'S, I SAW HIM IN PERSON AND I CAN ONLY GUESS ABOUT THE REST OF HIM,AND KEEP IN MIND HE HAS DONE A LOT, AND WALKED A DIFFERENT ROAD THAN MOST OF US.....HE HAS BEEN BLESSED IN A LOT OF WAYS, I FOR ONE AM GLAD THAT I GOT TO MEET HIM IN MY LIFE TRAVELS...GOOD LUCK TO YOU SIR BOBBY BLAKE

[J P]

Bobby,

I just discovered you tonight on U-Tube; I stumbled across an interview you gave and found you fascinating (not only your body but your honesty and sense of spirituality albeit warped and wounded). Will you return to the "TRUTH"? Yes, No, Maybe? If you were of the affiliation I imagine you will know what I am talking about. I am seriously considering purchasing your biography and maybe seeing you in some of your film projects. I have a story to tell, too...perhaps, one day we can speak and share our thoughts on just what it is that we have lived, what we would like to live, and how we can get from this side to the other. Do feel free to respond.