Bobby Caldwell, a ‘Rhythm & Blues’ singer and composer who had massive success in 1978 with “What You Won’t Do for Love,” died March 14 at his home in Great Meadows, New Jersey. Read More…
Bobby Caldwell’s Health:
Caldwell was a resident of New Jersey, and he is accompanied by his spouse and daughters. His wife stated that his health began to deteriorate six years ago as a result of medication effects(fluoroquinolone poisoning) after an antibiotic was supplied to him in 2017.
“He was prescribed that with a runny nose and cough, and it never should have happened, but it did, and it’s irreversible if you get hit real bad like he did,” she stated. “It just wreaks havoc.”
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In 2016, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cautioned against the use of fluoroquinolones for treating bacterial infections that are considered less serious due to the drug’s associated disabling side effects. Furthermore, warning labels were updated in 2013 to include potential nerve damage that could be irreversible. One popular brand name variation of quinolone antibiotics that consumers might recognize is Cipro.
Caldwell’s Early Life & Career:
Bobby Caldwell was born in New York and grew up in Miami, the son of singers who hosted a musical variety TV show called “Suppertime.” He began performing professionally as a multi-instrumentalist at the age of 17 and got his start playing guitar with Little Richard’s band in the early 1970s. Caldwell worked in different Los Angeles bar bands in the mid-1970s before getting a solo record contract.
“What You Won’t Do for Love” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 6 on what was then known as the Hot Selling Soul Singles chart. Caldwell’s song, which he also wrote, became a long-term favorite and a career-defining smash.
Bobby Caldwell would never have had a triumph like “What You Won’t Do for Love,” but he did make many recognized albums, including 1980’s “Cat in The Hat” — on which he appeared prominently on the cover wearing a fedora — and 1982’s “Carry On,” on which he was the producer and performed all the instruments.
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Tupac Shakur sampled the song on his posthumously released single “Do For Love,” which was recorded by musicians such as Boyz II Men and Michael Bolton. Hip-hop musicians such as The Notorious B.I.G., Common, Lil Nas X, and Chance the Rapper have sampled other Bobby Caldwell tracks.
Caldwell’s ability to cross genres, such as jazz and R&B, has given his repertoire life. Boyz II Men borrowed his song “What You Won’t Do for Love” for their song “To the Limit” in 1997, over 20 years after the blockbuster was launched.
In the 1990s, rapper Biggie Smalls sampled Caldwell’s “My Flame” in his single “Sky’s the Limit,” which was later featured in a biopic about Smalls’ life and career.