Bobby womack, age 70,has worked with top international artists throughout his career, such as Sam Cooke ,Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett and Sly Stone.
He was mostly known as a composer and musician for many years. Some of the artists who have recorded his songs are the Rolling Stones, Janis Joplin and George Benson.
His guitar may be also heard in some of the records released by Elvis Presley and Ray Charles.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Womack begins playing the guitar at the age of 10.He was part of his family band called the Womack Brothers. Quite soon, the four-brother and two-parent band catches the eye of Sam Cooke.
Cooke helps them sign their first professional contract and the band is renamed as Valentinos, based in LA.
Womack also played in Cooke’s band until the end of his life in 1964.He remained close to Cooke’s widow, Barbara Campbell, who was 10 years older than him.
When they got married just 3 months later, this was deemed as an act of treason by many.
His brothers kept him at bay, he was dismissed in his own concerts, and even severely beaten by Barbara’s brother.
They broke up in 1970 when Barbara found out about his relationship with her 18 year old daughter Linda. At the time, Bobby embarks on a solo career venture. United Artists signs him up and he releases the Albums ”Communication” and ”Understanding”.
Some of his greatest hits also come out back then, like ”That’s the way I feel about cha” and ”woman’s gotta have it”.
Womack had 5 children, Vincent (who took his own life in 1988) from his marriage with Barbara, Truth and Gina from his marriage with Regina, and two more sons, Cory and Jordan, from his relationship with Jody Laba.
