Bobby Caldwell, The singer of famous R&B hits including “What You Wanna Do for Love” and “Open Your Eyes” has died. He was 71 years old.
The soulful singer-songwriter’s wife announced his demise on Wednesday on her official Twitter account, announcing that she was at his home.
“Bobby passed away here at home. I held him tightly in my arms when he left us. I am forever broken. Thank you all for your prayers over the years.” she wrote.
She said that her husband had been battling health issues for the past six years after being “floxed”, a condition that arises after adverse effects from consuming a fluoroquinolone antibiotic. According to the Treatment Center Regenerative Medicine LA.
USA TODAY has reached out to Caldwell’s representatives for more information.
Caldwell’s signature voice crossed the genres of jazz, R&B and rock as his soulful hit song “What You Wanna Do for Love” climbed the Billboard 100 chart following the release of his eponymous debut album in 1978. .
“What You Would Do for Love” became a multi-generational hit due to its widespread appeal as a sampler and cover song. Tupac Shakur sampled the track on his 1998 single “Do For Love”, and Boyz II Men, Snoh Allegra, Michael Bolton and others have re-recorded it as covers.
Caldwell’s “Open Your Eyes”, from his 1980 album “Cat in the Hat”, also became a sample for the chorus on Common’s hit song “The Light” from his 2000 album “Like Water for Chocolate”.
He released his latest album “Cool Uncle” in 2015 in collaboration with Jack Splash.
This story is developing.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bobby Caldwell dies: ‘What You Wouldn’t Do for Love’ singer was 71