Bobby Womack

Bobby Womack's story is the story of soul music itself. He emerged from the church—singing gospel with his brothers as the Valentinos—and was schooled in the secular world by the master, Sam Cooke, who became his mentor and brother-in-law. Womack's early career was a crucible of triumph and tragedy; he wrote the Rolling Stones' first hit cover 'It's All Over Now,' but faced backlash for marrying Cooke's widow just months after the singer's murder. He spent years as a sought-after session guitarist, the backbone for records by Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles, before stepping into the spotlight with his own raw, confessional style in the early 70s. His voice, a magnificent instrument of gravel and grace, delivered timeless hits like 'Woman's Gotta Have It' and 'Across 110th Street,' which captured the stark reality of urban life. Battles with addiction and personal loss marked his middle years, but he staged a heroic comeback in the 80s, collaborating with Damon Albarn's Gorillaz decades later, proving his sound was eternally relevant. He was the connective tissue between gospel, soul, funk, and rock, a true architect of American music.