Bobby Womack

American singer and songwriter (1944–2014)

Robert Dwayne "Bobby" Womack (/ˈwmæk/; March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer-songwriter and musician.

Bobby Womack
Bobby Womack performing "Stylo" with Mos Def and Gorillaz.
Bobby Womack performing "Stylo" with Mos Def and Gorillaz.
Background information
Birth nameRobert Dwayne Womack
Born(1944-03-04)March 4, 1944
Cleveland, Ohio, United States
DiedJune 27, 2014(2014-06-27) (aged 70)
Tarzana, California, United States
GenresGospel, R&B, soul, rock and roll, doo-wop, funk, deep soul, soul blues, country soul, rock, jazz
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, musician, producer, instrumentalist, sideman
InstrumentsVocals, guitar
Years active1952–2014
LabelsXL Recordings[1]
(2012—2014)
Pennant, SAR, Him, Checker, United Artists, Minit, Beverly Glen Music, The Right Stuff, Solar, MCA, Columbia, Castle, Indigo Records
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life

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Womack was born in Cleveland, Ohio, the third of five brothers. His younger brothers were musicians Cecil (1947-2013) and Harry (1945-1974).

Career

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Womack's styles of music included: R&B, soul, rock and roll, doo-wop, gospel, and country. He worte and recorded The Rolling Stones' first UK No. 1 hit, "It's All Over Now". As a singer, he is most notable for the hits "Lookin' For a Love", "That's The Way I Feel About Cha", "Woman's Gotta Have It", "Harry Hippie", "Across 110th Street" and "You Think You're Lonely Now". He was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

Family and personal life

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In 1965, Womack married Sam Cooke's widow Barbara Campbell. The couple had a son who committed suicide in 1988. The couple divorced in 1976 after she shot at Womack after finding out he had an affair with her daughter. Womack had a son and daughter by his third wife. He had two sons by another woman. His brother Cecil married Linda Womack, the daughter of Sam Cooke and Barbara Campbell.

Drug abuse, health problems and death

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In his memoir I'm a Midnight Mover, he opened up about his drug use and became a cocaine addict in the 1970s. After going to rehab in the late 1980s, he stopped using the drug.

Womack died on June 27, 2014 at the age of 70 in Tarzana, California.[3] The cause of death is not known. He had diabetes, prostate cancer, heart disease, colon cancer, pneumonia and Alzheimer's disease.[4]

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References

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  1. Smirke, Richard (December 9, 2011). "XL's Richard Russell on Adele, Six Grammy Noms, What's Next (Bobby Womack!)". Billboard.biz. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  2. "Bobby Womack". Front Row. December 26, 2012. BBC Radio 4. Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  3. Talbott, Chris (June 28, 2014). "R&B singer Bobby Womack dies". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved June 28, 2014.
  4. Kot, Greg (June 28, 2014). "Soul poet Bobby Womack dead at 70". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved June 28, 2014.

Other websites

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