Bobby Womack (March 4, 1944 – June 27, 2014) was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and record producer. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio and was raised in a family of gospel singers known as the Womack Brothers. Womack was an influential force in the music industry, pioneering a unique style of soul music that blended gospel, blues, and R&B. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.
At the age of 10, Womack was already performing with his siblings as the Womack Brothers. The group toured with Sam Cooke and Jackie Wilson before they signed to Chess Records in 1964. Womack's first solo single, "It's All Over Now," was a major hit, reaching No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 26 on the pop chart.
Womack released a string of successful albums throughout the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Fly Me to the Moon (1968), Understanding (1972), and Pieces (1973). He also wrote the Rolling Stones' hit single "It's All Over Now," which was inspired by his own song. Womack was deeply influenced by the music of Curtis Mayfield and Sly Stone and his work began to take on a more funk-oriented sound.
In 1975, Womack released his most successful album, the critically acclaimed The Poet. The album featured the hit single "Across 110th Street," which was featured in the 1972 film of the same name. The Poet was also the first album to feature his signature sound, blending gospel, blues, and R&B into a unique style.
In the 1980s, Womack released a series of albums including The Poet II (1984) and So Many Rivers (1985). In 1989, he released the album Resurrection, which was a critical success and featured the hit single "If You Think You're Lonely Now."
Womack continued to record and perform throughout the 1990s and 2000s, releasing albums such as Back to My Roots (1991), The Last Great Soul Man (2003), and The Bravest Man in the Universe (2012). He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and was the recipient of numerous awards and honors throughout his career.
Bobby Womack was an influential figure in the music industry and a pioneer of soul music. His unique blend of gospel, blues, and
