Bobby Womack(1944-2014)
- Actor
- Composer
- Music Department
A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Bobby Womack was born into a musical
family. Managed by their father, he and his brothers formed "The Womack
Brothers", a gospel singing group that toured with several national
gospel stars. "The Womack Brothers" caught the attention of the
legendary Sam Cooke when Cooke was singing on the gospel circuit. When
Cooke formed his own record label, Sar Records, he immediately signed
Bobby and his brothers. In 1962, they were renamed "The Valentinos" and
had their first R&B hit single "Lookin' For A Love". Although he
continued to record with his brothers throughout the 1960s, Womack
began playing guitar in Sam Cooke's band until Cooke's untimely death in
1964. Without the stewardship of Cooke, however, "The Valentinos"
floundered and split up, subsequently beginning Bobby Womack's solo
career. Although he had mediocre commercial success as a recording
artist throughout the 1960s, he had considerable success as a composer
and arranger for R&B/Pop artists such as Wilson Pickett, Joe Tex and Dusty Springfield.
He would eventually recorded a string of hits of his own from 1971
through 1976. Among them were "That's The Way I Feel About Cha",
"Woman's Gotta Have It" and a newly arranged version of "Lookin' For A
Love". His career slumped during the Disco era as his earthy and
soulful vocals were suddenly out of vogue. Nevertheless, he returned
triumphant in the early 1980s with the recording of the album entitled
"The Poet" on which he delivered what has become his signature
composition and recording "If You Think You're Lonely Now". His 1972
composition and recording of the song "Across 110th Street"--which was
originally recorded for the movie of the same name--resurfaced as the
theme for the feature film Jackie Brown (1997). Ironically, the film's star,
Pam Grier, had been a back-up singer for Womack when she was a coed at
UCLA. Considered by critics and fans alike to be one of the last great
"Soul" men, Womack continues to record and perform, and has maintained
a devoted following throughout the world.