Born on this day in 1969, singer/songwriter Bobby Brown celebrates his 47th born day today, which is the first birthday he has celebrated since both his former wife Whitney Houston and daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown lost their lives in drug-involved deaths.

Brown will forever be recognized as the “King of R&B”, helping to pioneer the fusion of Hip Hop and rhythm and blues. His sixth man style involvement with New Edition, the group from which the public first heard the Boston crooner, has given Brown even more of a bad boy allure to his fans that have been in love with his music since he went solo.

Salute to Bobby on his born day and we wish him the strength to see many more!