Bobby Womack | 1944 - 2014

Bobby Womack was just 16 when he dropped out of high school to pursue his dreams. Under the tutelage of music legend Sam Cooke, Womack and his brothers formed the Valentinos and the Lovers. They went on to create two R&B classics, “Looking for a Love” and “It’s All Over Now.”   (Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images)

When the Rolling Stones did a cover of Womack’s “It’s All Over Now,” they beat out the Valentinos’ version and made their way high onto the charts, giving them their second top 40 hit in the U.S. The single helped catapult the Stones to greater fame.   (David Corio / Getty Images)

Womack, left, became good friends with musician Sly Stone, right, of Sly and the Family Stone.   (Ron Galella / WireImage)

Over the course of two decades, from 1970 to 1990, Womack had 36 hit singles, including “That’s the Way I Feel About Cha” and “Woman’s Gotta Have It.”   (Ian Gavan / Getty Images for Guinness)

Bobby Womack earned nicknames such as “The Preacher” and “The Poet” in the ‘70s and ‘80s. His work had meaning, often working off themes of love and communication.   (Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images)

During the first half of the ‘80s, Bobby Womack earned success with two best-selling albums, “The Poet” and “The Poet II.” His hit singles included “I Wish He Didn’t Trust Me So Much” and “I’ll Still Be Lookin’ Up to You.”   (Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images)

After leaving the music business for some time, Bobby Womack returned in 1994 with his album “Resurrection.” The album featured notable musicians like Keith Richards, Rod Stewart and Stevie Wonder.   (Ian Gavan / Getty Images for Guinness)

Bobby Womack’s last album released in 2012 was titled “The Bravest Man in the Universe.” The Times’ Mikael Wood noted the album “confronts old age without giving in to self-pity.”   (Danny E. Martindale / Getty Images)