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BOBBY WOMACK

Biography

Bobby Womack, born Robert Dwayne Womack on March 4, 1944, in Cleveland, Ohio, emerged from a deeply musical family and began performing as a child with his brothers in the gospel group The Womack Brothers. Their talent caught the attention of soul legend Sam Cooke, who became their mentor and signed them to his SAR Records label, later renaming them The Valentinos. Under Cooke’s guidance, the group transitioned from gospel to secular music, achieving early R&B success with hits like 'Lookin’ for a Love' and 'It’s All Over Now,' the latter famously covered by The Rolling Stones.[1][2]

After Sam Cooke’s death in 1964, Womack’s career shifted as he became an in-demand session guitarist and songwriter, contributing to recordings by Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, and Janis Joplin, among others. He launched his solo career in the late 1960s, scoring hits with soulful, emotionally charged songs such as 'That’s the Way I Feel About Cha,' 'Woman’s Gotta Have It,' and 'Across 110th Street.' His style blended gospel roots, gritty soul, and R&B, marked by his expressive baritone and lean guitar work. Despite personal struggles, including battles with addiction, Womack experienced a resurgence in the 1980s with albums like 'The Poet,' and remained influential, collaborating with artists across genres, including Damon Albarn of Gorillaz in his later years.[2][3]

Womack’s legacy as one of soul music’s great innovators is cemented by his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction in 2009. His music, characterized by raw honesty and musical versatility, has inspired generations of artists and continues to resonate through samples, covers, and tributes in contemporary music.[2][3]

Fun Facts

  • Bobby Womack played guitar on recordings for Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Sly Stone, showcasing his versatility beyond singing.
  • He wrote the instrumental 'Breezin’' with Gábor Szabó, which later became a hit for George Benson.
  • Pam Grier, later a famous actress, was once a backup singer for Womack while she was a student at UCLA.
  • Womack was one of the last people to see Janis Joplin alive, having visited her just hours before her death.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Sam Cooke - Mentor and producer; signed Womack and his brothers to SAR Records, guided their transition from gospel to soul as The Valentinos. (The Valentinos' singles ('Lookin’ for a Love', 'It’s All Over Now')) [early 1960s–1964]

Key Collaborators

  • The Womack Brothers / The Valentinos - Family group; Bobby was lead singer and guitarist. (‘Lookin’ for a Love’, ‘It’s All Over Now’) [1950s–1964]
  • Aretha Franklin - Session guitarist on several albums. (‘Lady Soul’ (guitar work)) [late 1960s]
  • Wilson Pickett - Songwriter; Pickett recorded several of Womack’s songs. (‘I’m a Midnight Mover’, ‘I’m in Love’) [late 1960s]
  • Janis Joplin - Collaborator and friend; contributed songs and guitar, visited her hours before her death. (‘Trust Me’ (on Joplin’s ‘Pearl’ album)) [1970]
  • Sly and the Family Stone - Session musician and vocalist. (‘There’s a Riot Goin’ On’ (album)) [early 1970s]
  • Damon Albarn / Gorillaz - Collaborator; featured vocalist and later co-produced Womack’s comeback album. (Gorillaz albums (2010), ‘The Bravest Man in the Universe’ (2012)) [2010–2012]
  • Patti LaBelle - Duet partner on several tracks. (‘The Poet II’ (album)) [1984]

Artists Influenced

  • The Rolling Stones - Covered Womack’s song ‘It’s All Over Now’, helping popularize his songwriting. (‘It’s All Over Now’ (1964)) [1964]
  • Ron Wood - Produced Wood’s solo album and collaborated musically. (‘Now Look’ (1975)) [1975]
  • Contemporary R&B and hip-hop artists - Womack’s songs have been widely sampled and covered, influencing artists across genres. (‘Across 110th Street’ sampled/covered by various artists) [1990s–present]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Fly Me To The Moon 1969-01 Album
The Poet 2021-03-19 Album
We the Generation (Deluxe Edition) 2015-10-02 Album
We the Generation (Deluxe Edition) 2015-09-18 Album
Understanding 1972-03-30 Album
The Bravest Man in the Universe 2012-06-11 Album
Communication 1971-09-15 Album
The Poet II 2021-03-19 Album
Facts Of Life 1973-06-08 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Stylo (feat. Mos Def and Bobby Womack) (Plastic Beach)
  2. California Dreamin' (Fly Me To The Moon)
  3. Across 110th Street
  4. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words) (Fly Me To The Moon)
  5. If You Think You're Lonely Now (The Poet)
  6. Cloud of Unknowing (feat. Bobby Womack and Sinfonia ViVA) (Plastic Beach)
  7. Across 110th Street
  8. Woman's Gotta Have It
  9. Fly Me To The Moon (In Other Words)
  10. California Dreamin'

Tags: #2008-universal-fire-victim, #funk, #r&b

References

  1. imdb.com
  2. britannica.com
  3. blackpast.org
  4. magazine.waxpoetics.com

Heard on WWOZ

BOBBY WOMACK has been played 3 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Nov 13, 202515:53THAT'S THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT CHA'from COMMUNICATIONBluesw/ DJ Giant
Oct 13, 202500:11I Left My Heart in San FranciscoThe Dean's Listw/ Dean Ellis
Oct 9, 202515:34THAT'S THE WAY I FEEL ABOUT CHA'from COMMUNICATIONBluesw/ DJ Giant