By Gary A. Johnson – Founder & Publisher (Black Men In America.com)

This is my tribute to the “cat in the hat” singer. In 1978, I was working in the music business listening to songs on cassette tape sharing my opinions with low-level record executives and consultants as to which artist I thought would be a hit.  One day, I heard this song on WHUR in Washington, DC, by a new artist the DJ identified as Bobby Caldwell.  The song was “What You Won’t Do For Love.”  I LOVED the song.  I assumed that Bobby Caldwell was a new soul singer.  I went to the record store later that day and purchased the album.  Bobby’s picture was not on the album.  I thought oh well.  Then a few weeks later, I was watching the TV show “American Bandstand,” because I heard that Bobby Caldwell was one of the guests. The host Dick Clark introduced him. The song started and Bobby walked into the camera view. “Holy Shit Batman!” Bobby Caldwell is white!  Just goes to show you, good music has no color.

March 14, 2024, will mark one year since Bobby Caldwell died losing his battle against the severe side effects of a commonly prescribed antibiotic, fluoroquinolone, which ultimately contributed to his heart disease and passing at age 71. His widow, Mary Caldwell, has since been vocal about the dangers of this medication, aiming to raise awareness and prevent similar suffering among others.

I created a video compilation of people around the Internet on YouTube who are discovering Bobby’s music for the first time, and people who have known about his music but assumed he was a Black singer.  Watch this video at the 25 second mark and note the reaction of the people when Bobby steps out from the silhouette that was hiding his face.

Bobby’s timeless classic, “What You Won’t Do For Love” has been recorded and sampled by more than 100 artists.  All combined, Bobby’s songs and samples have contributed to over 40 million sales.

I will be interviewing Bobby’s wife, Mary Caldwell, in two weeks.  Check this page soon to watch that interview.

The following artists have covered or sampled Bobby’s song “What You Won’t Do For Love”

	Go West (#1 AC)
	Tupac Shakur (#1 Rap, Gold Single)
	Over 80 covers and samples, including Michael Bolton/Tatyana Ali
	Dionne Warwick/Pride & Politix
	Natalie Cole & Peabo Bryson/Phyllis Hyman
	David Sanborn/Roy Ayers/Ricky Peterson/Luniz
	Aretha Franklin – Classic Soul Ballads (2004)
	Stray Cats

Other artists who have recorded Bobby’s compositions include:

• Neil Diamond
  “Angel”
  ”Love Doesn’t Live Here Anymore”
• Jean Carne/Lenny Williams/Marilyn Scott
  “Givin ‘Up on Love”
  Brenda Russell
  “How Does Love Go Wrong”
• Roberta Flack
  “Never Loved Before”
• Al Jarreau
  “All Or Nothing At All”
• Dave Koz
  “Emily”
  Evelyn “Champagne” King
  “Give It Up”
• Michael Sembello
  “Tear Down the Walls”
  “Puerto Rico”
• Yellow Jackets
  (Vocal by Bobby Caldwell)
  “Another Lonely Weekend”
• Marilyn Scott
  “Too Hot”
  “Show Me Your Devotion”
  (Duet with Bobby Caldwell)
• J.T. Taylor
  “The Promised Land”
• Richard Elliott
  “In The Name Of Love”
  (Vocals by Bobby Caldwell)
  “Take It To The Sky”
  “Cantiba”
• Betty Wright
  “Tropical Island”
  “Shoot It From The Hip”
• Johnny Gill
  “The Way That U Love Me Girl”
• Cheryl Lynn
  “Faith In You”
• Glenn Medeiros
  “Fallin'”
  Laura Fygi
  “Stuck On You”
• Mariko Takahashi
  “Say My Name”