American singer-songwriter Bobby Caldwell, best known for his timeless classic, 'What You Won’t Do for Love', has died at the age of 71.
His wife, Mary, shared the news of his passing on Twitter saying: "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."
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 Regenerative Medicine LA, Floxed means “ your body has suffered from mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress due to an adverse effect from a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. The term floxed in many can feel like a bomb going off in their body with new symptoms appearing daily for the first 90 days. Being floxed can be permanent as stated on the black box warning of the drug. Many are misdiagnosed as chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia, but in reality, are floxed after consuming a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. Floxed can happen after one pill or be a cumulative effect of multiple doses over years of time.”
Caldwell was born in New York City in 1951 and raised in Miami, Florida. His father, Bob Caldwell, was a well-known singer and songwriter in the 1950s and 60s, and his mother, Carolyn Franklin, was a member of the legendary Franklin family of musicians, which included Aretha Franklin and Carolyn's sisters Erma and Anna.
Caldwell began playing piano at a young age and quickly developed a talent for music. He was heavily influenced by the soul and R&B music of the 1960s and 70s, as well as the jazz greats of the era.
In the early 1970s, Caldwell moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. He worked as a session musician, playing keyboards and guitar on various recording sessions, and also began writing songs.
In 1978, Caldwell released his self-titled debut album, which featured "What You Won't Do for Love" as its lead single. The song quickly became a hit, reaching No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming a staple of radio playlists for years to come.
May you RIP Bobby Caldwell.
