The highly influential Soul Legend and R&B singer-songwriter who influenced artists from Rolling Stones to Damon Albarn, Bobby Womack died. He was 70.
Womack died this past Friday. According to source, there could not be no other details provided at the moment.
Womack was a stirring singer and guitarist in his own way and a powerful songwriter of hits like "Across 110th Street," [One of the D.J's Music Site staff favorites], "If You Think You're Lonely Now" and "I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much" captured the imagination of future stars in rock 'n' roll and R&B.
"He had a style that nobody could ever capture," longtime friend, gospel singer Candi Staton, said in a statement. "I loved him and I will miss him so, so very much."
In a statement, musician Peter Gabriel said: "I'm very sad to learn of Bobby Womack's death... His songs and his voice have been so much a part of the fabric of so many musical lives. In recent years, it was great to see Richard Russell and Damon Albarn bringing his music back into our attention. He was a soul legend. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friend at this time."
Even though Womack's death comes suddenly surprising. Womack has been sick with a bunch of different health issues. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's diease two year ago and overcame prostate and colon cancer. But Womack also was in good spirits when he performed earlier this month at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival.
Womack told the BBC in 2013 the Alzheimer's diagnosis came after he began having difficulty remembering his songs and the names of people he had worked with.
Womack has worked with many and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
"I must have listened to 'Facts of Life' for months, what an influence, what a voice, so long Bobby!!" Rod Steward said in a statement to The Associated Press.
According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame website, Womack was born in Cleveland, Ohio, and sang gospel music at a young age, performing with his brothers in The Womack Brothers. Under the influence of gospel and R&B legend Sam Cooke, who signed the group to his personal label, Womack moved into secular music. In the early 1960s his group recorded "It's All Over Now," which was covered and by the Stones and became the band's first number-one hit.
His songs have been recorded by multiple artists, and he played as a session musician in Memphis in the 1960s.
"I don't think he ever really thought that he would do anything again," Albarn said of Womack in March. "Watching his rehabilitation and watching his ability to confront new material and new challenges was notjhing short of miraculous at the time, and he still today continues to battle his demons and his illness. But he's a beautiful person and when he opens his mouth and that voice comes out, it is something that is somehow touched by God."
Let's remember the late Bobby Womack by watching him performing his hit "Across 110th Street," and "California Dreaming" below.
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