Soul singer Brenton Wood, best known for his hit "The Oogum Boogum Song," has died at the age of 83.
His manager and publicist, Manny Gallegos, confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that Wood died peacefully at his home from natural causes in Moreno Valley, California, on Friday.
"I was there last night at his house. I was playing the piano for him. He was in the hospital bed, and I told him, 'Friend, is there anything you want to say to your fans?' And he says, 'You tell my fans I said, "Catch you on the rebound,"'" Gallegos recalled of the singer, who was referencing his 1967 song and the name of his final tour.
Speaking with the New York Post, Gallegos revealed that Wood began to feel ill after completing his tour on Valentine's Day weekend in 2024. He was hospitalized weeks later in May.
Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wood moved to San Pedro, California, in the 1950s. Influenced by legends like Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke, he began writing songs and playing piano, according to his official biography. It wasn't until college that he adopted the stage name Brenton Wood, inspired by the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, as reported by the New York Post.
In 1967, Wood signed with Double Shot Records and quickly rose to prominence with hits like "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Gimme Little Sign," and "Baby You Got It."
"The Oogum Boogum Song" has seen a resurgence in popularity, appearing in TV shows and films such as "Don't Worry Darling," "The Umbrella Academy," and "Almost Famous."
Wood released nine studio albums and several compilations with his own Prophesy Records founded in 1972 and subsequent music released under Mr. Wood Records.
The singer's passion did not just lie in music but also in giving back to his community. He actively participated in local schools and community outreach events, especially targeting at-risk youth.
Zoe Papadakis ✉
Zoe Papadakis is a Newsmax writer based in South Africa with two decades of experience specializing in media and entertainment. She has been in the news industry as a reporter, writer and editor for newspapers, magazine and websites.
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