the valentinos

Biography

The Valentinos, originally known as the Womack Brothers, were a family R&B group formed in Cleveland, Ohio, consisting of brothers Friendly Womack Jr., Bobby Womack, Harry Womack, Curtis Womack, and Cecil Womack. Their musical journey began in the early 1950s when their father, Friendly Womack Sr., a pastor, discovered their singing talent around 1952 after young Bobby filled in on guitar during a church service. The brothers initially performed gospel music at their father's church and recorded their first single, 'Buffalo Bill,' in 1954 under the name Curtis Womack and the Womack Brothers for the Pennant label when Curtis and Bobby were just ten years old. In 1956, they were discovered by Sam Cooke while he was touring with the Soul Stirrers, leading to their signing with Cooke's SAR Records in 1960 after relocating to California.[1][2][3][5]

Fun Facts

• The group arrived in California in a beat-up Cadillac before signing with Sam Cooke, marking their shift from gospel to secular R&B.[1]
• Bobby Womack was one of the first to hear Sam Cooke's 'A Change Is Gonna Come' and toured as his guitarist, contributing to albums like Night Beat and Ain't That Good News.[1]
• Tragedy struck in 1974 when Harry Womack was shot and killed by his girlfriend after she found another woman's clothes in his home.[4]
• Cecil Womack married Sam Cooke's daughter Linda Cooke and formed Womack & Womack, achieving hits like 'Teardrops,' while earlier marrying Mary Wells.[2]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Sam Cooke - Discovered the group, signed them to SAR Records, produced their hits, mentored Bobby Womack as guitarist and lead vocalist (Lookin' for a Love, It's All Over Now) [1956-1964]
• Friendly Womack Sr. - Father and pastor who formed the group and nurtured their gospel singing (Church performances leading to early recordings) [1952-1950s]

Key Collaborators

• Bobby Womack - Core band member (brother), lead vocalist on hits, later solo artist who featured brothers on his albums (Communication (1971), Understanding, Facts of Life, Lookin' for a Love Again) [1960s-1990s]
• Cecil Womack - Core band member (brother), co-wrote hits, later collaborated as Womack & Womack (It's All Over Now, Sweeter Than The Day Before) [1960s-1970s]
• Curtis Womack - Core band member (brother), early lead singer, provided background vocals for Bobby (Buffalo Bill (1954), background on Bobby's albums) [1950s-1990s]

Artists Influenced

• The Rolling Stones - Covered their hit song which became their first U.S. national hit (It's All Over Now (1964)) [1964]
• J. Geils Band - Covered their hit song as a notable R&B/pop rendition (Lookin' for a Love) [1970s]

External Links

• Spotify