In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist's who are in My "Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time" Poll.
The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Few Month's now, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!
In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.
I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of "Top to Bottom" of the Poll!
ARTIST NUMBER 8..............BOBBY WOMACK Robert Dwayne (Bobby) Womack was Born on 4th March 1944 in Cleveland OhioUSA. His Parents were Naomi & Friendly Womack and He was the 3rd out of 5 Brothers. Bobby Womack is a Singer/Song-Writer, Producer and Musician, His main Instrument is the Guitar.
At an Early age, Bobby & his Brothers Toured the Gospel Circuit in the USA, with their Parents, their Band was Named "The Womack Brothers" In 1954, when Bobby was 10 years old, the Band Released their First single. Two Years later in 1956, the Band was Discovered by the Late Great Sam Cooke, and went on to Record for Cooke's "Sar Record Label" Soon after "The Womack Brothers" Changed their Name to the "Valentino's" and started Recording "Pop Music"
They had a few Minor Hits during the early 60's, then in 1963 their First Hit Single made it to Number 8 in the US R&B Chart "Lookin' For a Love" But this Success was short Lived, as the following Year "Sam Cooke" Died, following a Altercation in a Motel, and His Record Label and the "Valentinos" both Folded! Shortly afterwards Bobby Womack went Solo, but without too much Success, and by 1965. He had at the age of 21, Married Sam Cooke's Widow. This (Marriage) was to cause Controversy with Bobby Womack's Singing Career, with Radio Station's Refusing to Play his Music, and by 1966 He was doing Mainly Session (Writing and playing) work for other Artist's, including Playing Guitar on several "Aretha Franklin" Album's.
By 1968 He had Signed for "Minit Records" and Recorded His First Solo Album it was named "Fly Me To The Moon" it contained His First Crossover Hit "California Dreaming" (the Mamas & Papas Hit). He made 2 more album for "Minit Records" before Leaving for "United Artists" Record Label in 1971.
With the Move to "United Artists" Bobby Womack changed his Image & Musical Direction, His First Album Release was "Communication" Reaching Number 7 in the US R&B Charts. The following Year of 1972, in the Spring, Bobby Womack had his First Top 40 Hit "That's The Way I Feel About Cha"on the "Billboard Chart" Reaching Number 27 and Number 2 on the US R&B Chart.
During the Early 70's to the Mid 70's, Bobby Womack had several Hits including : "Harry Hippie"Woman's Got To Have It"Looking For A Love"You're Welcome, Stop on By and Across 110th Street. Bobby Womack's Career seemed to come to a halt after his Younger Brother Died in 1974, this lasted until the late 70's. Co-Incidentally around this time Bobby Womack Be-friended Sly Stone after appearing on the Sly & The Family Stone Album "There's a Riot Going On" Playing Guitar, but this Friendship would Lead Womack to Drug's! By 1981 Bobby Womack was Back, He Signed for "Beverly Glen Records" He had Kicked his Drug Habit and Back on Song where His Music was concerned!
In 1985 He Released another Great Album, entitled "So Many Rivers" Featuring some Great tracks including: I Wish He Didn't Trust Me So Much"Only Survivor and Gypsy Woman. But again during the Late 80's Stories of Drug Abuse surfaced again and Record Sales Fell. He only Released 4 Albums during to 90's and 1 Release in the Year of 2000.
Then from 2001 onwards there has been No Albums until this Year, when "The Bravest Man In The Universe" was Released. It was announced this Year that after Beating Cancer, Bobby Womack was going to Tour again! Click here for a Full In Depth Life Story on Bobby Womack.
In this Series of Posts, I will writing about the Artist's who are in My "Greatest Ever Soul Singer of All-Time" Poll.
The Poll is over to the Right of the Blog, it has been Running for a Couple of Weeks now, so if You haven't already Voted, Please do so!
In these Post's, I will write a few Facts, Figures, Stats and Interesting Stuff on the Artist in Question, I will also include a Playlist of their 20 Greatest Songs.
I will Write a Post on each Artist in Order of "Top to Bottom" of the Poll!
Born Samuel Cook (he added an "E" later in life) on 22nd January 1931, He was a Singer/Songwriter who also Played the Piano and Guitar.
He was also considered as the "Pioneer" of Soul Music!
He was Born in "Clarksville" Mississippi to the Reverend Charles Cooke and Annie Mae Cook and 1 of 8 Sibling's, the Family moved to Chicago in 1933, when Sam Cook was 2 Years old.
Sam Cook began Singing with his Family at the Age of 9, they were Called "The Singing Children" by the age of 14 He was the Lead Singer with a Band called "Highway QC's"
by 1950 Sam Cook was the Lead singer with "Soul Stirrers", they Sung and Wrote Gospel Music.
It wasn't until 1956 that Sam Cook Released His First Pop Single called "Loveable" but it was Under the Alias of "Dale Cook"
The following Year of 1957, Sam Cooke had His First Big hit Record "You Send Me" Reaching Number 1 on the US R&B Charts for 6 weeks and Number 1 on the US Billboard Chart, for 3 weeks!
Sam Cooke was one of the First "Black men" to handle all His Business affairs and Dealings, in fact He even started His Own Record Label "Sar Records" in 1961, He was also Active in "The Civil Rights Movement"
On the Night of 11th December 1964, Sam Cooke, who was aged 33 years was Shot Dead, depending what you Read and where you Read it, there are a Few Differing Stories as to What lead up to His Death!
But whatever happened before hand, it all Ended up with the same Outcome, The Motel Manageress where he was Staying the Night, Shot Him in the Chest, at least 2 Times, Killing Sam Cooke Instantly!
Another thing that is Hard to work out concerning "Sam Cooke" is His Discography, I have looked at several Different Sources and come up with the following:
Sam Cooke Discography
18 Albums, Before His Death.....15 After His Death 36 Singles, Before His Death......8 After His Death 77 Compilation Albums in Total.
His Best Ever Selling Single was "You Send Me" Reaching Number in both US Charts, as well as Reaching Number 29 in UK Pop Charts.
In Fact, out of All the Singles released by "Sam Cooke" in the US, all but 3 made the Pop Charts.
My Favorite "Sam Cooke" Track has to be the Marvellous "A Change Is Gonna Come" what a great Record this is, it apparently was His answer to the Track by Bob Dylan, "Blowing In The Wind" Both Tracks were Concerning "Racism" in the US at that time!
The Track was Voted as the Number 12 on the "Greatest Songs of all Time" Top 500 Chart in the "Rolling Stone Magazine"