Bobby Caldwell

The soulful singer known for his 1978 hit What You Won't Do for Love died after a long illness, according to a statement from his wife.

He received his big break as a rhythm guitarist for Little Richard in the early 1970s, and signed with TK Records, a label primarily known for Black artists, in 1978. Other artists including Common, The Notorious BIG and John Legend have sampled his music. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years,” she

His much-covered 1978 hit “What You Won't Do for Love” launched him on a prolific career that spanned decades and genres.

He added that R&B radio “is not what it was” in his early days, but that rappers were branching into what he called “adult urban, which is more of the R&B that you and I cut our teeth on.” Rolling Stone called the album “2015’s smartest [retro-soul revival](https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/cool-uncle-inside-2015s-smartest-retro-soul-revival-33862/).” He soon moved to Las Vegas, where he performed with a group called [Katmandu](https://www.discogs.com/master/338104-Katmandu-Katmandu) that cut an album in 1971. [star faded ](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-10-06-ca-457-story.html)later in the ’80s, he continued to record and perform for decades. [show business baby](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoqjfsfhVy8),” he said in a recent video interview. “This business is constantly in a In 2020, Billboard included the song on a list of the [25 greatest love songs](https://www.billboard.com/music/pop/greatest-love-song-duets-8550707/). He spent the next several years trying to make a name for himself, playing in bars and recording demos. 1](https://www.billboard.com/artist/peter-cetera/) on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986. “Apparently he bet a lot of money that I was Black, and he was wrong.” His parents, Bob and Carolyn Caldwell, were entertainers who hosted two early television variety shows, “42nd Street Review” in New York and “Suppertime” in Pittsburgh, before moving the family to Miami. 15, 1951, in Manhattan and spent much of his youth in Miami.

Questlove leads tributes to the R&B singer, who his family says died after years of battling illness.

By 1978, he had launched a solo career and released the hit single that propelled him to fame. In the early 1970s he began playing as a guitarist for Little Richard. "Caldwell was the closing chapter in a generation in which record execs wanted to hide faces on album covers so perhaps maybe their artist could have a chance," he wrote. Questlove sampled Caldwell's Open Your Eyes for a collaboration with Common to produce the song, The Light. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’. You may want to read

Bobby Caldwell, a soulful R&B singer and songwriter who had a major hit in 1978 with What You Won't Do for Love and a voice and musical style adored.

A multi-instrumentalist, he began performing professionally at 17, and got his break playing guitar in Little Richard's band in the early 1970s. In the mid '70s, Caldwell played in various bar bands in Los Angeles before landing a solo record deal. "You are such an inspiration to me and many others," Chance told him. 6 on what was then called the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. He was 71. The smooth soul jam "What You Won't Do for Love" went to No.

Bobby Caldwell, the singer-songwriter who mastered a range of genres, died Tuesday, his wife Mary said.

Caldwell's ability to tap into multiple genres, including jazz and R&B, has given his catalog longevity. His parents were also singers who hosted a musical variety show, Warning labels were also updated in 2013 to include potentially irreversible nerve damage from the drug.

"Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us," wrote his wife, Mary, on his official Twitter account.

"Thank you for your voice and gift." "Man such a missed opportunity to meet a legend." Caldwell's song "Next Time I Fall," which was recorded by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, reached No. He had been "FLOXED," it took his health over the last 6 years and 2 months. It has been covered by Boys II Men, Natalie Cole and Michael Bolton, among others, in addition to being sampled by legendary rapper Tupac Shakur. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the year of its release.

Bobby Caldwell's smooth soul jam "What You Won't Do for Love" went to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100. It became a long-term standard and career-defining hit ...

A multi-instrumentalist, he began performing professionally at 17, and got his break playing guitar in Little Richard's band in the early 1970s. In the mid '70s, Caldwell played in various bar bands in Los Angeles before landing a solo record deal. "You are such an inspiration to me and many others," Chance told him. His song "Open Your Eyes" from "Cat in The Hat" was covered by John Legend and sampled by Common on his Grammy-nominated 2000 single "The Light." 6 on what was then called the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. He was 71.