Bobby Caldwell

Caldwell, who sang the 1978 hit "What You Won't Do for Love," passed away at his home in New Jersey on Tuesday. He was 71.

"Thank you Bobby Caldwell for writing one of the most beautiful songs of all time. Common wrote on Instagram alongside a snippet of Caldwell's "Open Your Eyes," which he sampled in "The Light." I held him tight in my arms as he left us. "I'll be honored if you sample my song. "This never happens. Caldwell, who sang the 1978 hit "What You Won't Do for Love,"

Growing up in Miami, Caldwell, who began playing guitar and piano at the age of 12, was drawn to the surrounding cultural music, from reggae and Caribbean to ...

(Interlude)” and late The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Sky’s the Limit.” Throughout his career, Caldwell also wrote songs for a number of other artists, including Natalie Cole and Peabo Bryson also performed the hit as a duet on their 1979 album, We’re the Best Friends. Bobby Caldwell, the R&B singer, and songwriter who released the 1978 hit “What You Won’t Do for Love” died on March 14 at his home in Great Meadows, New Jersey after a long illness. “This never happens,” wrote Chance. [shared a direct message exchange](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp0PORsuC6R/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=ea6192c7-472a-44a6-b585-c882cc323bb7) he had with Caldwell in 2022 when he asked to use his music. Growing up in Miami, Caldwell, who began playing guitar and piano at the age of 12, was drawn to the surrounding cultural music, from reggae and Caribbean to Latin and R&B. He had been “floxed.” It took his health over the last six years and two months. Born on August 15, 1951, in Manhattan in New York City, Robert Hunter Caldwell grew up in Miami, Florida where he was exposed to the music that would shape his entire career. 6 on the then-titled Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. He briefly moved to Los Angeles, where he joined several bands before releasing his eponymous solo debut, featuring “What You Won’t Do for Love.” “I held him tight in my arms as he left us.

The singer and songwriter had a major hit in 1978 with “What You Won't Do for Love.”

In this article, Euronews Culture explores some of their favourite tracks that have sampled Bobby Caldwell's music, highlighting his legacy and impact on ...

Like 'What You Won’t Do For Love', it stands the test of time and is a must (re)listen for fans of 2Pac and Caldwell alike. Plus, it's a fitting tribute to Caldwell's enduring legacy and how he continues to inspire a new generation of artists from all over the globe. Too bad I was born in the year 2000 and I can't actually skate. [What You Won’t Do For Love](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gru4IfbKlfU)' feature heavily throughout 'Do For Love' and add extra soul to the mellow rap masterpiece. 'One Day' is a testament to the art of sampling, showing how artists can revive old songs and give them a fresh, contemporary spin. The heart of the song lies the soulful and heartfelt voice of Bobby Caldwell, whose sample from his 1980 track ' At the time, Kelly was 27 and Aaliyah was 15. [Open Your Eyes](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DPgMjXhqmfw)' adds a crucial emotional dimension to the track. This approach has played a pivotal role in shaping the sound of hip-hop music, and it continues to be a prevalent technique used by producers today. I'll certainly be listening to it for the rest of my life. It finds Biggie reminiscing on his pre-fame hustler days, and the soulful groove lifted from ‘My Flame’ adds to the sentiment decrying from the song that the rapper was at his happiest before becoming notorious, when he still had aspirations and goals to accomplish. Rumour goes that the groove was passed on by both Jay-Z and LL Cool J before Biggie took it on and made it nothing short of an inspirational anthem.

Bobby Caldwell, a soulful R&B singer and songwriter who had a major hit in 1978 with “What You Won't Do for Love” and a voice and musical style ad o re d by ...

In the mid ’70s, Caldwell played in various bar bands in Los Angeles before landing a solo record deal. 6 on what was then called the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. Caldwell would never have a hit that came close in prominence to “What You Won’t Do for Love,” but he released several respected albums, including the 1980s’ “Cat in The Hat” — on which he appeared on the cover wearing a fedora — and 1982’s “Carry On,” on which he was his own producer and played all the instruments. “You are such an inspiration to me and many others,” Chance told him. The smooth soul jam “What You Won’t Do for Love” went to No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No.

Mary Caldwell told The Associated Press that he died in her arms at their home in Great Meadows, New Jersey, on Tuesday, after a long illness. He was 71. THANKS ...

A multi-instrumentalist, he began performing professionally at 17, and got his break playing guitar in Little Richard's band in the early 1970s. In the mid '70s, Caldwell played in various bar bands in Los Angeles before landing a solo record deal. "You are such an inspiration to me and many others," Chance told him. Caldwell would never have a hit that came close in prominence to "What You Won't Do for Love," but he released several respected albums, including 1980s "Cat in The Hat" — on which he appeared prominently on the cover wearing a fedora — and 1982's "Carry On," on which he was his own producer and played all the instruments. 6 on what was then called the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. He was 71.

There's been innumerable RIPs, tender memories, and, of course, an obligatory multi-tiered Questlove eulogy for the singer, songwriter and, producer, who had ...

In [a behind-the-scenes 2014 profile](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIMk1NT9wXU) on the making of the song — which appeared on his breakout 2000 album, Like Water For Chocolate — Common recalls how “The Light” attuned new ears to his work. [J Dilla](http://www.okayplayer.com/tag/j-dilla) built the rapper’s hit single, “The Light,” around a segment of Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes.” The song arguably marks the precise moment Common crossed over from respected post-Native Tongues rapper to Soulquarian frontman with pop potential. “I can’t thank you enough!,” the Chicago rapper wrote in [a tribute on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/Cp04M2WpiHp/). And the rapper has been fairly open about the importance of “The Light” to his career and catalog. [Common](http://www.okayplayer.com/tag/common), one of few remaining beneficiaries of the singer’s sample legacy, sent some flowers up while he still could. [Bobby Caldwell](http://www.okayplayer.com/tag/bobby-caldwell) have poured out across social media.

Singer, songwriter and musician Bobby Caldwell has passed away at 71. Beginning his musical career as a teenager, he performed in Vegas as part of Katmandu, ...

Junior Boys are back from their "hibernation," as they've Tweeted, with an electronic music-driven cover of Bobby Caldwell's "What You Won't Do For Love." In "Culture" Beginning his musical career as a teenager, he performed in Vegas as part of Katmandu, then as a guitarist in Little Richard’s band.

The mega-talented singer Bobby Caldwell has passed away at 71. These are the six albums you need to listen to right now.

Recommended tracks include “Stay with Me,” “Heart of Mine,” “Real Thing,” and, interestingly, his solo version of “The Next Time I Fall,” which here goes by the title “Next Time (I Fall).” It’s arguably even better (and inarguably less sappy) than the version Cetera and Grant road to the top of the charts a year earlier. “Take Me Back to Then” is a sweet ballad – or corny if you’re jaded – about wishing to be a kid again, and Caldwell hits some crazy high notes and then goes deep on the growls for “Can’t Say Goodbye.” “Kalimba Song” is a fascinating, but ridiculously short (1:19) funk instrumental that leaves you wanting more. No one could have known it at the time, but Cool Uncle turned out to be Caldwell’s final album, and it gave us a Caldwell in full, glorious voice and still taking chances. Standouts include “The Cat Came Back,” “Break Away” (with Jessie Ware), “Mercy” (with Cee-Lo Green), “Breaking Up” (with Deniece Williams and rapper Eric Biddines), “Game Over” (featuring Mayer Hawthorne) and the utterly insane, funkadelic “Beloved,” which casts Caldwell as a... Rather, Live at the Blue Note Tokyo captures Caldwell in action and celebrating his big band/jazz phase. He wraps his smooth vocals around such standards as the title song, “Beyond the Sea,” “Day In, Day Out,” “The Best Is Yet To Come,” and “I’ve Got the World on a String,” as well as an original that he wrote, “April Moon,” which fits in seamlessly. the way he deserved, but he was revered in Japan and toured for decades, playing to a loyal fanbase around the globe. Pop beckoned again in 2005, and Caldwell heeded the call. The production sounds and feels alive as well, dropping you right into the intimate venue and immersing you in the proceedings. Caldwell was releasing albums at a fairly steady clip by 1987 and had found his groove. Highlights include “Perfect Island Night” (not a typo; just one night!), “Crazy for Your Love,” “Sukiyaki (Forever),” and “Our Day Will Come.” Best of all, though, is “Where is the Love,” a loving, longing duet with Deniece Williams that gives the original, Grammy Award-winning Roberta Flack-Donny Hathaway version a run for its money. A few years later, in 1978, he notched a Top-20 solo hit, “What You Won’t Do for Love,” which he co-wrote (with Alfons Kettner) and which has been sampled and covered by many recording artists, including Boyz II Men and Michael Bolton, and Tupac Shakur.