In Memoriam: Bobby Womack

The life of the legendary soul man.

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The Bravest Man - This week marked the passing of one of American music's legendary soul singers, the unforgettable Bobby Womack. For over 50 years, the singer-songwriter and musician blessed the musical landscape with such songs as "Lookin' For a Love," "I Can Understand It" and the beloved classic "If You Think You're Lonely Now." Let's look back at Womack's contribution. (Photo: Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

From The Womacks to The Valentinos - In the 1950s, Bobby Womack begins his music career after forming the gospel group The Womacks along with his brothers. Sam Cooke mentors the group and promises to help their career, which he does when he signs them to his SAR Records and changes their names to The Valentinos. In 1962, the group scores a minor hit with "Lookin' For a Love," which is a pop version of their gospel single "Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray," written by Bobby. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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From The Womacks to The Valentinos - In the 1950s, Bobby Womack begins his music career after forming the gospel group The Womacks along with his brothers. Sam Cooke mentors the group and promises to help their career, which he does when he signs them to his SAR Records and changes their names to The Valentinos. In 1962, the group scores a minor hit with "Lookin' For a Love," which is a pop version of their gospel single "Couldn't Hear Nobody Pray," written by Bobby. (Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Playing with Soul - As a talented guitarist, Bobby also worked as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist. Following Cooke’s death in 1964, Bobby went on to marry Cooke’s widow. (Photos: GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Playing with Soul - As a talented guitarist, Bobby also worked as Sam Cooke's backing guitarist. Following Cooke’s death in 1964, Bobby went on to marry Cooke’s widow. (Photos: GAB Archive/Redferns/Getty Images; Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Across 110th Street - In 1972, Bobby raises the profile of his solo singing career when he records and releases the soundtrack for the hit crime drama Across 110th Street, which stars Yaphet Koto and Antonio Fargas. The title track becomes Bobby's biggest hit up to that point. (Photo: Courtesy of Charly Records)

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Across 110th Street - In 1972, Bobby raises the profile of his solo singing career when he records and releases the soundtrack for the hit crime drama Across 110th Street, which stars Yaphet Koto and Antonio Fargas. The title track becomes Bobby's biggest hit up to that point. (Photo: Courtesy of Charly Records)

Getting Some Understanding - Along with Across 110th Street, Bobby 's solo stardom gets an added boost when he releases the hit LP Understandingthe same year. The album's notable single "I Can Understand It," written by Bobby, is later turned into a major hit when it is covered by the funk band Tower of Power. Other hits off the disc include "Harry Hippie" and "Woman's Gotta Have it." (Photo: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns/Getty Images)

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Getting Some Understanding - Along with Across 110th Street, Bobby 's solo stardom gets an added boost when he releases the hit LP Understandingthe same year. The album's notable single "I Can Understand It," written by Bobby, is later turned into a major hit when it is covered by the funk band Tower of Power. Other hits off the disc include "Harry Hippie" and "Woman's Gotta Have it." (Photo: Gijsbert Hanekroot/Redferns/Getty Images)

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Lookin' For a Love - Bobby keeps the ball rolling releasing his seventh studio album Lookin' For a Love Again, which yields Bobby's hit remake of The Valentinos' tune "Lookin' For a Love." The song hits the top of the R&B charts. (Photo: Courtesy of United Artists Records)

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Lookin' For a Love - Bobby keeps the ball rolling releasing his seventh studio album Lookin' For a Love Again, which yields Bobby's hit remake of The Valentinos' tune "Lookin' For a Love." The song hits the top of the R&B charts. (Photo: Courtesy of United Artists Records)

Bobby the Poet - With the release of his 1981 album The Poet, Bobby snags his best charting LP based on the hugely successful classic "If You Think Your Lonely Now," which sends the album to number one on the R&B charts. The song is later covered by K-Ci Hailey (of Jodeci), whose vocal style is greatly influenced by Bobby. (Photo: Courtesy of Beverly Glen Records)

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Bobby the Poet - With the release of his 1981 album The Poet, Bobby snags his best charting LP based on the hugely successful classic "If You Think Your Lonely Now," which sends the album to number one on the R&B charts. The song is later covered by K-Ci Hailey (of Jodeci), whose vocal style is greatly influenced by Bobby. (Photo: Courtesy of Beverly Glen Records)

The Poet Returns - Bobby follows up his biggest album with The Poet II in 1984, which features a duet with Patti LaBelle on the single "Love Has Finally Come At Last." (Photo: Courtesy of Beverly Glen Records)

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The Poet Returns - Bobby follows up his biggest album with The Poet II in 1984, which features a duet with Patti LaBelle on the single "Love Has Finally Come At Last." (Photo: Courtesy of Beverly Glen Records)

Bobby Womack: March 4 - The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer turns 68. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

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Singing it Forward - In 1998, Bobby records with The Roots, offering a souful interpretation of George Gershwin's "Summertime" for the compilation LP Red Hot + Rhapsody: The Gershwin Groove. While the album is in homage to the legendary composer, it also raises funds for AIDS awareness efforts. (Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images/ Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images

Hall of Fame - Bobby receives his props as a legend when he is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. For his performance, he wows the crowd with "If You Think You're Lonely Now." (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) 

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Hall of Fame - Bobby receives his props as a legend when he is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009. For his performance, he wows the crowd with "If You Think You're Lonely Now." (Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) 

Bobby Womack, The Bravest Man in the Universe - Earlier this year, soul legend Bobby Womack fought health and drug-abuse problems to release his first album in 12 years, The Bravest Man in the Universe, a left-field favorite with critics.   (Photo: XL Recordings)

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Bobby the Bravest - Two years before his passing, Bobby records his 27th LP The Bravest Man in the Universe. Released on the UK-based label XL Recordings, the critically-hailed disc is a hit in Europe, yielding noteworthy singles like "Please Forgive My Heart" and the title track. (Photo: Courtesy of XL Recordings)