Brenton Wooden, the soul singer greatest identified for his 1967 hit “The Oogum Boogum Tune,” has died on the age of 83.
Wooden handed away on Friday (Jan. 3), at his dwelling in Moreno Valley, Calif., surrounded by household and associates, in line with his supervisor and assistant, Manny Gallegos, TMZ stories.
Gallegos confirmed to The New York Submit that Wooden died of pure causes. “He went in his sleep peacefully. The love that he gave us, God took him the identical means,” Gallegos mentioned.
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The supervisor additionally shared a closing message from Wooden to his followers: “He mentioned, ‘Catch you on the rebound,’” referring to a 1967 tune and the title of his closing tour, which wrapped up over Valentine’s Day weekend in 2024. Wooden started feeling ailing shortly after the tour and was hospitalized final Could.
Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, La., Wooden relocated along with his household to San Pedro, Calif., within the Fifties. He later attended school in Southern California, the place he started nurturing his ardour for music, drawing inspiration from artists like Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke. A self-taught pianist, Wooden wrote songs and harmonized with neighborhood associates. He adopted the stage identify Brenton Wooden, drawing inspiration from the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.
After signing with Double Shot Data in 1967, Wooden launched three of his greatest hits that very same yr: “The Oogum Boogum Tune” (which reached No. 34 on the Billboard Scorching 100), “Gimme Little Signal” (peaking at No. 9 on the Scorching 100) and “Child You Received It” (hitting No. 34 on the Scorching 100). “The Oogum Boogum Tune” and “Gimme Little Signal” each peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard‘s Scorching R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, whereas “Child You Received It” reached No. 30 on that chart.
In 1972, he based his personal label, Prophesy Data, and later launched music underneath Mr. Wooden Data.
Through the years, “The Oogum Boogum Tune” has reached new audiences via its inclusion in in style TV exhibits and films similar to The Umbrella Academy, Nearly Well-known and Don’t Fear Darling, amongst others.
“It’s onerous to be in a foul temper after you hear the ‘Oogum Boogum Tune,’” NPR wrote in 2023. “In all probability not well worth the effort.”
“It’s a foolish title and has foolish lyrics, too. However there’s one thing concerning the feeling. That nearly playful falsetto, the drums bouncing alongside, the jangly guitar hits.”
Throughout his profession, Wooden believed in “giving again” and steadily carried out at faculties and neighborhood outreach occasions all through Southern California, in line with his web site. Throughout these appearances, the musician would share his private {and professional} challenges and successes, providing a message of empowerment with an emphasis on schooling and a “can do” angle to encourage youth, the location states.
