R&B Crooner Bobby Caldwell Dead at Age 71 | VIDEO

March 16, 2023

*Singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell, best known for his 1978 hit song “What You Won’t Do For Love,” has died at age 71.

Caldwell passed away Tuesday at his home in New Jersey, his wife Mary Caldwell confirmed on Twitter, TMZ reports.

“Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tight in my arms as he left us,” she wrote.

I am forever heartbroken,” Mary continued. “Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years.

She added: “He had been ‘FLOXED.’ It took his health over the last 6 years and 2 months. Rest with God, my Love.”

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 6 years and 2 months. Rest with God, my Love. -Mary Caldwell

— Bobby Caldwell (@bobbycaldwell) March 15, 2023

According to The Atlantic, “floxed” is a term used by some to describe rare but painful side effects of fluoroquinolone antibiotics.

Mary did not offer further details related to Caldwell’s health, and it’s not immediately clear which antibiotics she was referring to.

An earlier report noted that Caldwell burst onto the national scene in the late 1970s as the voice behind the massive R&B and pop hit “Won’t You Won’t Do For Love.”

He’s stayed true to his soulful craft over the years, releasing an impressive collection of R & B – steeped songs including impressive covers of Etta James’ “At Last” and The Emotions’ “Don’t Ask My Neighbor” while earning a solid base of devoted, and largely African American, fans.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by kevonstage (@kevonstage)

Caldwell’s first tour was opening for the late-great Natalie Couple. In a 2005 interview with NPR, he recalled the audience’s reaction at discovering he was White.

“I was very surprised at seeing nothing but Black [people] in the audience. And certainly they were probably more surprised than I was!” he said. “Most of the wonderful people I’ve gotten to know in the radio business, they all say the same thing. It’s like a universal language, and should have no barriers.”