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Cecil Womack Dead: R&B Singer Dies at 65

Brigitte Engl Collection

R&B singer Cecil Womack has died at the age of 65.

According to Soul-Source, Womack was living with wife and musical partner Linda Womack in Africa when he passed away on Friday, Jan. 31.

He started out in a gospel group singing with his brother Bobby Womack and their other siblings, Harry, Friendly and Curtis. Sam Cooke spotted them and changed the group's name to the Valentinos.

Cecil was also a producer and writer, and wrote songs for Teddy Pendergrass, Patti LaBelle and Motown's Mary Wells, his first wife.

When he married Linda, the two performed together as Womack & Womack and made six albums together. The first single from their Love Wars album, "T.K.O.," reached the Billboard R&B chart and their next single, "Love Wars" reached No. 14 on the U.K. singles chart in early 1984. The third single from the album, "Baby I'm Scared of You," was successful in the U.S., reaching No. 25 on the R&B charts.

Cecil and Linda moved to Africa in recent years so he could explore his heritage. Soul-Source reports that he wanted his ashes to be spread out over a river near his home there.

He is survived by Linda and four children, three from his marriage to Wells and one son from a prior relationship.

Watch "Womack & Womack 'Baby I'm Scared of You' Video

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sandra

RIP Cecil.....job well done for many music legends. There always has to be some idiot on a post. Death is traumatic enough without people displaying such ignorance...you don't have to know someone to have sympathy that's just being human. What if you were that person??

Yesterday at 12:41 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Janeyre

Sigh, this was a couple, who was devoted to each other. They lived life, as peaceful people, who loved their God, family, each other. May Cecil\'s loving memory, place Linda in a safe place. I truly am sadden by this news. Such a wonderful couple.

Wednesday at 10:47 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
sbettybooi

May the LORD comfort his wife, children and entire family today, and in the years ahead.

Wednesday at 1:35 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Sasha

who says you have to be popular to accomplish great things? for all those saying he was a nobody, get over your damn self. RIP

Tuesday at 7:30 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Steve

WHO??? Another unknown gone, and Huff acts like it's news

Tuesday at 8:17 AM Report abuse +2 rate up rate down Reply
2 replies to Steve's comment
herbt56

Steve, songwriters and producers are the unsung (no pun intended ) heroes of the music business. They often shape the sound, the musical identity of an aritst. Cecil Womack wrote "Love T.K.O." for Teddy Pendergrass, which became one of his biggest hits. Behind every music legend, oftentimes there is a songwriter, producer or session musician having his/her back.

Tuesday at 11:27 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
mrcallyfornya

unknown? The Womack family is not unknown to the Rolling Stones or anyone else with any musical knowledge.

Tuesday at 12:21 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
Phil Collins

The Oldies are leaving us at a record pace but thanks for the Memories and the Music, Heaven must be one rocking place today.

Tuesday at 6:12 AM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Phil Collins's comment
Bobbi

but he surely wasn't that old.....not by today's sttandards at all....RIP

Tuesday at 6:27 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Bobbi's comment
Marie Brown

When Social Security was approved by our politician in Washington, the average black man did not live as long as Wamack did.

Tuesday at 7:06 AM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down
Linda

RIP Cecil Womack~my condolences to the family.

Monday at 11:00 PM Report abuse -1 rate up rate down Reply
evansel

What a coincidence! I was playing the Womack & Womack song 'Baby I'm Scared of You' on Friday.
RIP Cecil.

Monday at 5:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nonucantmakemee

im sorry he is gone but he is about as popular s b a m a wit me never heard f him

Monday at 4:39 PM Report abuse +1 rate up rate down Reply
jackpolk4

Attached to story about "Musicians with mysterious deaths" ???. Come On Huff-Po.
That was unnecessary. :(

Monday at 3:52 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply