Soulful R&B singer Bobby Caldwell passed away at the age of 71 due to a ruinous illness. Bobby Caldwell is most known for his hit single “What You Won’t Do For Love,” originally released in 1978 on his double platinum debut album, the single made its way to the top 10 on the Billboard charts.
Caldwell had been battling an illness that caused painful bouts of neuropathy. An antibiotic was prescribed to Caldwell that was abrogating and caused a bad reaction.
His wife, Mary Caldwell, announced the news on Bobby’s Twitter, writing: “Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years. He had been “floxed,” it took his health over the last six years and two months. Rest with God, my Love.”
Floxing occurs in the body due to mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress caused by an adverse effect of a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.
Many artists like The Notorious B.I.G., 2Pac, and Snoh Alegra sampled Caldwell’s hit single. Caldwell also wrote songs for the likes of Neil Diamond and Roberta Flack and wrote the 1986 hit tune “The Next Time I Fall” for Amy Grant and Peter Cetera. He released several albums spanning R&B, soul, jazz, and adult contemporary.
Caldwell signed with Miami label TK records right before his hit single grew in popularity. Tk Records found themselves concealing Caldwell’s racial identity to receive airtime on the radio with many Black artists.
Caldwell’s album artwork consists of a picture that he loved of himself. They covered the picture in acetate and then created a black silhouette of himself to cover his racial identity. Nobody had any idea who this man was until he appeared in concert!
