Singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell dies at 71

The soulful singer best known for his 1978 hit "You Won't Do Anything for Love" has died after a long illness, his wife says

Bobby Caldwell, the influential singer-songwriter behind R&B hits like Open Your Eyes and What You Won't Do for Love, has died at the age of 71.

The singer has suffered from a long-term illness, according to a statement from his wife, Mary Caldwell. "Bobby died at home. I held him tight in my arms when he left us. My heart is forever broken. Thank you all for your many prayers over the years," she wrote on his verified Twitter account.

Caldwell is known for his soulful voice and ability to perform in multiple genres, which he attributes to the diversity of his hometown of Miami, Florida. His iconic song "What You Won't Do for Love" hit the Billboard charts shortly after its 1978 release and was sampled by Tupac Shakur on his 1998 posthumous hit "Do For Love." Other artists such as Common, The Notorious BIG and John Legend have tried his music.

Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, who collaborated with Common on The Light and sampled Caldwell’s Open Your Eyes, posted a tribute on Instagram with a lengthy caption describing years of sympathy with the late singer. phone call. "You missed such an opportunity to meet a legend. Thank you for your vote and gift," he wrote.

Born in Manhattan in 1951, Caldwell grew up in Miami, where he was exposed to the city's Latin, Haitian, reggae and R&B music. In the early '70s, he had his big break as the rhythm guitarist for Little Richard, and in 1978 signed to TK Records, known for its black artists.

Outside of his solo career, Caldwell has composed music for other artists, including The Next Time I Fall for Amy Grant and Peter Cetera.

"Most of the good people I've met in broadcasting say the same thing," Caldwell said of music in a 2005 interview with NPR. "It's like a lingua franca where there shouldn't be any boundaries."

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