Womack & Womack

Biography

Womack & Womack was a soul and R&B duo formed by husband and wife Cecil Womack and Linda Womack (née Cooke), who began recording together in the early 1980s. Cecil, born in Cleveland, Ohio, was part of the famed Womack musical family and had a background in gospel and soul, performing with his brothers as The Valentinos under the mentorship of Sam Cooke. Linda, the daughter of soul legend Sam Cooke, brought her own deep musical heritage and songwriting talent to the partnership. Their collaboration as Womack & Womack began in 1983, marked by the release of their debut album 'Love Wars,' which received critical acclaim and produced hits like the title track and 'Baby I'm Scared of You.'

Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Womack & Womack released a series of albums blending soul, R&B, pop, and funk, with Linda's emotive vocals and Cecil's production and songwriting at the core. Their 1988 single 'Teardrops,' from the album 'Conscience,' became an international hit, selling millions of copies and cementing their place in pop and dance music history. Their music was noted for its sophisticated arrangements, heartfelt lyrics, and seamless fusion of American soul traditions with contemporary pop sensibilities.

After discovering ancestral roots in Nigeria, the duo adopted the names Zeriiya and Zekkariyas and moved to South Africa in the 1990s, where they continued to make music with their children as The House of Zekkariyas. Cecil Womack passed away in 2013, but the legacy of Womack & Womack endures, with their songs frequently covered and sampled by later generations of artists.

Fun Facts

• Cecil and Linda Womack discovered their ancestral roots in Nigeria and adopted the names Zeriiya and Zekkariyas.
• 'Teardrops' has been covered by numerous artists and remains a dancefloor classic worldwide.
• Linda Womack is the daughter of Sam Cooke, and her stepfather was Bobby Womack, making for a uniquely musical family tree.
• Cecil Womack wrote the classic soul hit 'Love T.K.O.', which became a signature song for Teddy Pendergrass and has been covered by many artists.

Members

• Cecil Womack
• Linda Womack

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Sam Cooke - Mentor to Cecil Womack and the Womack brothers, signed them to SAR Records, guided their transition from gospel to secular music. (The Valentinos' early recordings, including 'Lookin' for a Love' and 'It's All Over Now') [Late 1950s–1964]

Key Collaborators

• Mary Wells - Cecil Womack's first wife and songwriting partner; co-wrote and produced several R&B tracks. (Songs like 'The Doctor', 'Dig The Way I Feel', 'Never Give A Man The World') [1966–1972]
• Bobby Womack - Cecil's brother and frequent songwriting collaborator; co-wrote hits such as 'Woman's Gotta Have It' with Linda. ('Woman's Gotta Have It') [1970s–1980s]
• The House of Zekkariyas - Family group formed by Cecil and Linda with their children after moving to South Africa. (Albums and performances as The House of Zekkariyas) [1990s–2013]

Artists Influenced

• Sugababes - Covered 'Teardrops', bringing the song to a new generation of pop listeners. ('Teardrops' cover) [2007]
• Joss Stone - Covered 'Teardrops', reflecting the enduring appeal of Womack & Womack's songwriting. ('Teardrops' cover) [2012]
• Eric Clapton - Recorded 'Lead Me On', showcasing the duo's influence on artists across genres. ('Lead Me On') [1990s]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Teardrops (Teardrops (Sped Up))
2. Teardrops (Conscience)
3. Teardrops (80s Soul (International Version))
4. Teardrops - Rules Remix (Teardrops)
5. Teardrops - Single Version (Music For Groovin')
6. Baby I'm Scared of You (Love Wars)
7. M.P.B. (Conscience)
8. Love Wars (Love Wars)
9. Teardrops - Extended Remix (12" 80s Classics)
10. Celebrate The World (Conscience)

External Links

• Spotify
• Wikipedia
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #classic-pop-and-rock, #funk, #r&b