Over the past half-decade, Bill Cosby methodically became a transcendant figure in American pop culture.

He started his career as a stand-up comedian who churned out hit records regularly. He moved to acting, most notably in the hit TV shows “I Spy,” “Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids” and “The Cosby Show.” (Big-screen success always eluded him, though.)

Now 75 years old, Cosby is a best-selling author, an in-demand speaker and pitchman, a noted humanitarian and a guy with a high enough profile that when he expresses an opinion, people actually listen. He has won Grammy awards, Emmy awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, not to mention the hearts of men and women, young and old, everywhere. (Check out Saturday’s Community Life section for a full interview with Cosby!)

Yet when I think of Bill Cosby, I don’t think of “Fat Albert” or Jell-O pudding pops or even his famously garish sweaters. I think of a brown rocking chair in my parents’ living room. That’s where, as a kid, I sat and listened, almost exclusively, to two things: broadcasts of Cincinnati Reds baseball games and my father’s copies of Cosby’s first six stand-up albums.

I spent countless hours huddled around the turntable with my brother, listening to Cosby’s stories — squeaky clean, yet hilarious — of Noah and the Ark, Old Weird Harold, his brother Russell, 900 cop cars, the chicken heart and, of course, life as a dad, working tirelessly and often thanklessly to help run a family.

Those bits and all the others from those records still ring in my head. When I am home, my brother and I frequently quote them, to our own delight and, often, the blank stares of others. (I think Adam ended up with Dad’s copies. I bought them all on eBay in 2005.)

That’s why I was so excited when I heard a few months ago that Cosby was coming to Redmond (see “If you go”). Not because of his stardom or his stature, but because even now, his distinctive voice and perfect comic timing are like a security blanket. It takes me straight home, to a simpler time when I could sit around all day listening to Bill Cosby and laughing.

I look forward to doing the same thing Sunday.

And I’d bet that a lot of you do, too.

If you go

What: An afternoon with Bill Cosby

When: 1 p.m. Sunday

Where: Deschutes County Fair & Expo Center, Hooker Creek Event Center, 3800 S.W. Airport Way, Redmond

Cost: $32-$54, available in advance at Newport Market (541-382-3940) in Bend and Ray’s Food Place stores in Redmond, Sisters and Prineville. If there are any left, they’ll be available at the venue’s box office Sunday.

Contact: www.c3events.com