R&B Star Cecil Womack Dies

R&B star Cecil Womack has died at the age of 65.

The singer-songwriter passed away on Friday (01Feb13) in _A_frica, where he lived with his wife and writing partner Linda Cooke.

_A_s a youngster, he was part of a gospel group with his brothers _B_obby, Harry, Friendly and Curtis, and they were spotted by Sam Cooke of the Soul Stirrers.

Cooke nurtured the group and they changed their name to The Valentinos.

However, Womack preferred writing and producing, and penned tracks for stars including Teddy Pendergrass and Patti La_B_elle, as well as his first wife Mary Wells.

Womack and Linda, who was the daughter of Cooke, moved to _A_frica in recent years so the star could explore his _A_frican heritage.