Bobby Womack, Soul Legend, Dead At 70

Christina Lee | June 28, 2014 8:25 am

Bobby Womack, soul legend and triple threat as a hitmaking songwriter, guitarist and vocalist, has died at age 70. A rep from Womack’s label XL confirmed the news to Rolling Stone, although the cause of his death is still unknown.

Womack released many successful R&B albums throughout his career, resulting in his 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. His solo debut, 1968’s Fly Me to the Moon, would lead to Understanding, his Across 110th Street OST, Facts of Life and Looking for Love Again. He later worked with Damon Albarn, for Gorillaz‘s 2010 album Plastic Beach and Womack’s most recent album The Bravest Man in the Universe , released in 2012 by XL to critical acclaim.

As a protege of soul and R&B trailblazer Sam Cooke (of the oft-covered “A Change Is Gonna Come”), Womack first performed as part of sibling group the Valentinos, who signed to Cooke’s SAR Records in 1960. Four years later, just one month after they released their hit “It’s All Over Now,” the Rolling Stones released its own No. 1 version. Womack went on to be a heavyweight collaborator. He wrote for Wilson Pickett and worked as a session musician for the likes for Ray Charles, Sly Stone, Janis Joplin and Aretha Franklin for 1968’s Lady Soul.

His long career wasn’t without setbacks. Following Cooke’s tragic death in 1964, Womack married Cooke’s widow Barbara Campbell to much controversy from the R&B community; his career as a soloist and songwriter suffered as a result. He also struggled with drug addiction and health problems in the ’80s, including diabetes, pneumonia and colon cancer. The Bravest Man, also featuring Lana Del Rey in “Dayglo Reflection,” was actually his first album in more than a decade.

“You know more at 65 than you did at 25. I understand the songs much better now,” Womack has said to Rolling Stone. “It’s not about 14 Rolls Royces and two Bentleys. Even if this album never sells a nickel, I know I put my best foot forward.” Womack wasn’t intending to stop there, either. At the time of his death, he was working on a new album for XL, tentatively titled The Best Is Yet To Come and reportedly featuring Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart and Snoop Dogg.

Revisit Bobby Womack’s 1981 hit “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” below, then check out The Guardian‘s list of his six best performances.

Get an eyeful of even more pop music coverage, from artist interviews to exclusive performances, on Idolator’s YouTube channel.

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