Bobby Caldwell, R&B singer of What You Will not Do For Love, has died on the age of 71

Bobby Caldwell, who sang well-known R&B hits like “What You Will not Do For Love” and “Open Your Eyes” has died. He was 71.

The soulful singer-songwriter’s spouse, Mary Caldwell, introduced his dying on his official Twitter account on Wednesday, saying he died at house.

“Bobby died right here at house. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I’m heartbroken endlessly. Thanks all in your many prayers over time.” She wrote.

She stated her husband has struggled with well being points for the previous six years after turning into “floxed,” a situation that happens after an antagonistic impact from utilizing a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. according to Regenerative Medicine LA treatment center.

USA TODAY has reached out to Caldwell officers for extra data.

Caldwell’s signature voice transcended the jazz, R&B, and rock genres when his soulful hit “What You Will not Do For Love” climbed the Billboard 100 chart upon its 1978 launch debut album of the identical title.

“What You Will not Do For Love” turned a cross-generational hit, partially due to its huge enchantment as a pattern and canopy music. Tupac Shakur sampled the observe on his 1998 “Do for Love” and Boyz II Males, Snoh ​​Aalegra, Michael Bolton and others re-recorded it as a canopy.

Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes” from his 1980 second album Cat within the Hat additionally turned a pattern for the refrain of Commons hit “The Gentle” from his 2000 album Like Water for Chocolate. John Legend additionally lined the music on his 2013 album Love within the Future.

Caldwell was born in New York in 1951 and grew up in Miami. According to his websitehe grew up round well-known musicians like Nat King Cole, Frank Sinatra and the Beatles.

He started his profession taking part in rhythm guitar for Little Richard earlier than launching his solo profession within the late Seventies.

His debut album cowl featured the silhouette of a person watching a sundown with out revealing his face. In a 2005 interview with NPR, the “Blue-Eyed Soul” singer stated the quilt was the label’s alternative in order that his race would not be recognized within the R&B market.

The story goes on

“I used to be with a label in Miami, Florida. It was TK Data. And their foundation for launching their product was principally an R&B format.” said Caldwell. “In order that they actually did not need it to be identified that I used to be white. Right now, as we converse, there are nonetheless a number of remnants who do not know that.”

He instructed nationwide public radio that the label’s efforts to cover his identification shortly petered out when he started touring with Nat King Cole’s daughter, Natalie Cole.

In 2015 he launched his newest album Cool Uncle in collaboration with Jack Splash.

Along with making his personal music, Caldwell additionally wrote songs for different artists, together with the Grammy-nominated 1986 duet “The Subsequent Time I Fall” by Amy Grant and Peter Cetera.

This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Bobby Caldwell is dead: “What You Won’t Do For Love” singer was 71 years old