28 Jun 2014

Bobby Womack Obituary

From RNZ Music, 3:00 pm on 28 June 2014

Bobby Womack

Legendary soul singer Bobby Womack has died, aged 70.

His musical career began as a 10 year old touring churches around the U.S.A. singing with his brother Curtis.

In 1956 singer Sam Cooke took the Womack Brothers under his wing, changed their name to The Valentinos, and encouraged them towards a more soulful sound.

The Valentinos had a number of hits, including ‘It’s All Over Now’, which was later a hit for The Rolling Stones.

The brothers parted ways just after Sam Cooke died in 1964, and Bobby married Cooke’s widow just three months later.

Bobby Womack released his first solo album Fly Me to the Moon in 1968, and was in demand as a songwriter, guitarist and collaborator, working with Aretha Franklin and Sly and the family Stone amongst others through the 70s.

He scored top 40 hits like 'Nobody Wants You When You're Down and Out' 'Across 110th St' and a remake of his first hit single, 'Lookin' for a Love'.

Bobby took a break from the limelight during the 80s and 90s, when his drug abuse was at its peak, returning with vigour on The 2010 Gorillaz album Plastic Beach. Gorillaz producer Damon Albarn worked with Womack on his comeback album The Bravest Man in the Universe, which set Womacks timeless voice against 21st century production.  

Before his death, he was recording a follow up album, entitled The Best Is Yet To Come.  It's due for release on XL Recordings this year - It’ll be his 28th studio release.

Here's the interview that Marty Duda did with Bobby Womack for Radio NZ before his Auckland show in 2013,

and Bobby Womack presented as Nine To Noon's Artist Of The Week in 2010

Listen to Music 101's Bobby Womack Obituary

Playlist

Artist: Bobby Womack
Song: Across 110th Street
Composer: B Womack/J.J. Johnson
Album: Across 110th St
Label: Charley

Get the RNZ app

for easy access to all your favourite programmes