Bobby Caldwell dead at 71: What You Won’t Do for Love singer passes away in his sleep

Singer and songwriter Bobby Caldwell has died at the age of 71.

The New York native had been battling an illness for many years before he passed away. 

Caldwell died in his sleep on Tuesday night while at his residence in New Jersey, his rep shared on Wednesday morning. 

His wife since 2004, Mary Caldwell, broke the news on Twitter as she thanked fans for their prayers. 

‘Bobby passed away here at home,’ said Mary on Twitter. ‘I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken. 

The musician was known for his soulful and versatile vocals as he lit up the hit songs What You Won’t Do for Love.

Sad farewell: Singer and songwriter Bobby Caldwell has died at the age of 71. The crooner had been battling an illness for many years before he passed away; seen in 2013

Mary also said, ‘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.’

TMZ claimed that the singer had ‘not been able to walk for about five years as he coped with painful bouts of neuropathy and a ruptured tendon in his ankle.’

The New York native, whose full name was Robert Hunter Caldwell, started singing in the 1960s as a teen.

He released several albums spanning R&B, soul, jazz and adult contemporary. 

‘Drawing from his vast repertoire of rousing R&B, intimate smooth jazz stylings, and big band songs, Bobby has the ability to entertain at any venue, for fans of all ages. In Japan and throughout Asia, he enjoys a feverish popularity, selling out shows and achieving gold and platinum status for his releases in those countries,’ it says on his website.

In addition to heavy touring, Bobby starred as Frank Sinatra in the David Cassidy/Don Reo theatrical production The Rat Pack Is Back in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 Bobby received rave reviews for his performance, both from industry critics and from his loyal fans.

Bobby has been featured on The CBS Second Cup Café, The Tonight Show starring Jay Leno, BET Jazz Central, and has made numerous national and local network appearances.

As a singer, he has a successful career with numerous solo releases, which have earned accolades far and wide. 

Gone too soon: His wife since 2004, Mary Caldwell, broke the news on Twitter as she thanked fans for their prayers. Caldwell died in his sleep on Tuesday night while at his residence in New Jersey, his rep shared on Wednesday morning. Seen in 2011

He left his mark: The musician was known for his soulful and versatile vocals as he lit up the hit songs What You Won’t Do for Love

His songwriting skills have earned hits not only for himself, but also for well-known artists like Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant, Neil Diamond and Al Jarreau.

Bobby’s timeless classic, What You Won’t Do For Love has been recorded and sampled by more than 100 artists, including rendition by Boys II Men.

A sample of Bobby’s song Open Your Eyes appeared in the Grammy nominated platinum rap hit The Light by Common.

Artists as diverse as Tupac Shakur, Michael Bolton, Roberta Flack, Go West, Vanessa Williams and Notorious B.I.G. have all paid tribute to him. 

Bobby’s classic song was sung by Elliot Yamin during the final 3 round of American Idol 2006.

Major motion picture and television credits have brought Bobby’s music to even broader audiences. 

His original composition, ‘The Girl I Dream About’ was included in Hillary Duff’s film, ‘The Perfect Man’, and in Charlie Matthau’s film, ‘Her Minor Thing’ and in ‘Simone’, starring Al Pacino. 

Previously, his rendition of ‘Beyond The Sea’ was selected by actor/director Joe Mantegna as the opening theme for his directorial debut ‘Lakeboat.’

He loves to be on stage: . ‘Bobby passed away here at home,’ said Mary on Twitter. ‘I held him tight in my arms as he left us. I am forever heartbroken.’ Seen in 2013

She was a fan: His songwriting skills have earned hits not only for himself, but also for well-known artists like Chicago, Boz Scaggs, Peter Cetera and Amy Grant (pictured), Neil Diamond and Al Jarreau.

The song fit so well with the movie that Mantegna commissioned Bobby to compose an original piece, ‘(Oh Boy!) You’ve Got It Made,’ as the closing theme.

‘Beyond The Sea,’ along with ‘All The Way’ and ‘The Girl I Dream About’ are also featured in the motion picture ‘My First Mister’ starring Albert Brooks and directed by Christine Lahti.

‘I’ve Got The World On A String’ was used in ‘Hearts In Atlantis’ starring Anthony Hopkins. ‘Luck Be A Lady’ is the featured track in the movie ‘The Cooler,’ starring William H. Macy, Alec Baldwin, and Paul Sorvino.

Born in Manhattan and raised in Miami, Bobby came from a show business family.

His mother and father both sang and were the hosts of one of the first musical variety programs on television, ‘Suppertime.’ 

Bobby grew up listening to show tunes, the music of Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Tony Bennett, as well as The Beatles. These early influences are prevalent in Bobby’s singing and songwriting.