One of the greatest soul singers
of all time, Bobby Womack, passed on to a higher plane on Friday, June 27,
2014. Although at this writing, his exact cause of death is unknown, he
suffered from a number of health issues. Bobby, née Robert Dwayne, was 70 years
of age.
Mr. Womack’s more than 50 year
career began as the lead singer of his family group, first known as the Womack
Brothers, and later as The Valentinos, in the 1960s. They were discovered and
mentored by none other than Sam Cooke.
In addition to his nearly
incomparable vocals, Mr. Womack was a guitarist of note, playing on the songs
of various hitmakers, such as Joe Tex and Aretha Franklin. He was also a
prolific songwriter, having penned (or co-written) such songs as “Breezin”
(George Benson), and the Rolling Stones’ first U.S. hit, “It’s All Over Now.”
Some of Mr. Womack’s own notable hits are “Across 110th Street,” “That’s the
Way I feel About Cha,” and “Harry Hippie” his own first certified gold. There
were numerous songs written and performed by Mr. Womack which were later
covered by other artists, such as New Birth’s “I Can Understand it” and Chaka
Khan and Rufus’s “Stop on By,” and K-Ci Hailey’s “If You Think You’re Lonely
Now.” In later years, Mr. Womack performed on the tracks of other artists,
such “Stylo” with Mos Def.
Womack created a near scandal in
March 1965 by marrying the widow of Sam Cooke, just months after Cooke’s death.
Mr. Womack’s career waxed and
waned at various points, notably declining after the death of his brother Harry
and after the death of his son Truth. Health issues also contributed to his
decline, including prostate and colon cancer, diabetes, and pneumonia. In later
years, it was believed that he was developing Alzheimer’s.
In 2009, Mr. Womack was inducted
into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Play on, Mr. Bobby Womack [1944 –
2014]
© 06/28/2014
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