Singer and songwriter Bobby Caldwell, the man behind the 1978 platinum hit “What You Want to Do for Love,” has died at age 71, his wife Mary confirmed to CBS News on Wednesday.
She announced her husband’s death in a tweet from her official Twitter account, writing, “Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us.”
Bobby breathed his last here at home. I held her tightly in my arms as she left us. I am forever heartbroken. Thank you for your many prayers over the years. He was “floxed”, it took his health for the last 6 years and 2 months. Rest with God, my love. -Mary Caldwell
— Bobby Caldwell (@BobbyCaldwell) March 15, 2023
I am forever heartbroken,” she continued. “Thank you all for your many prayers over the years. He was “floxed”, it took his health for the last 6 years and 2 months. Rest with God, my love.”
“Floxed” is a term used to refer to the toxicity caused by continued use of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, which can “cause disabling and potentially permanent side effects involving tendons, muscles, joints, nerves, and the central nervous system,” according to Food and Diet. Drug administration.
It was not immediately clear which antibiotics Mary was referring to, and she did not provide further details regarding Caldwell’s health.
Caldwell grew up in a musical household where his parents hosted the musical variety show “Suppertime” and he began composing music as a teenager, heavily influenced by show tunes and artists such as Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett and The Beatles. . , according to his website.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
“What You Won’t Do for Love,” which reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in its year of release. In addition to being sampled by legendary rapper Tupac Shakur, it has been covered by Boyz II Men, Natalie Cole and Michael Bolton.
Caldwell’s song “Next Time I Fall”, recorded by Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1986 and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Caldwell’s other songs were sampled by Vanessa Williams, Notorious BIG and Common.
Questlove, who collaborated with Common on the track “The Light,” which samples Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes,” wrote a moving tribute to Caldwell on Instagram.
“Man missed such an opportunity to meet a legend.” He wrote. “Thank you for your voice and gift.”
According to his website, Caldwell’s songs have contributed to over 40 million record sales.
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