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Harry Womack
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Harris "Harry" Womack (June 25, 1945 – March 9, 1974) was an American singer and musician, most notable for his tenure as a member of the family R&B quintet The Valentinos.
Biography
[edit]Early life
[edit]Harris "Harry" Womack grew up the fourth of five sons to Friendly and Naomi Womack in Cleveland's east side. The brothers were very close and attached nicknames to one another— Harry's was "Goat.” Raised as Baptist, all five brothers began singing together when Harry was seven, forming The Womack Brothers. Like his brothers Bobby (1944–2014) and Cecil (1947–2013), Harry took up instruments, playing bass guitar before reaching his teenage years. Along with brothers Cecil and Curtis, Harry was a tenor vocalist while Bobby and Friendly, Jr. were baritones. In 1960, when he was 15, Sam Cooke signed the act to his SAR Records label, having told the brothers – and their father – that he was willing to work with them. Friendly Womack made Cooke promise that the brothers would continue to sing gospel and not what he referred to as "the devil's music".
Career
[edit]Following two gospel releases with SAR, Sam Cooke suggested the group change their sound and name. In 1962, he renamed them The Valentinos and produced and arranged the group's first major hit, "Looking for a Love", which was led by Bobby. The record became a hit and landed them an opening spot on James Brown's Revue. Following several modestly successful R&B releases, the Valentinos' next hit, "It's All Over Now", was released in 1964. While successful on the R&B chart, the song became internationally successful after The Rolling Stones covered it, and it has been covered by several bands hence.
Following Cooke's death in December 1964, SAR folded. Bobby Womack married Cooke's widow, Barbara, and left the group for a solo career. The Valentinos briefly disbanded before regrouping as a quartet in 1966, signing with Chess Records where they recorded the Northern soul hit, "Sweeter than the Day Before". However, Chess dropped the group after only two singles, and Cecil Womack followed Bobby out of the group after he married Mary Wells. In 1968, the remaining trio of Harry, Curtis and Friendly Jr. signed with Jubilee Records where they recorded the Cecil-composed "Two Lovers History" before being dropped in 1970.
In 1970, Harry started playing bass with Bobby, who had begun a successful solo career after several years in limbo due to the scandal surrounding his marriage to Barbara Cooke. He played on Bobby's album The Womack "Live", as well as contributing background vocals – along with the other Valentinos and Cecil Womack – to his solo records, starting with the 1970 release My Prescription.
Harry and the brothers featured in the background of Bobby's breakthrough hit, "That's the Way I Feel About Cha", as well as "Woman's Gotta Have It", both in 1972. In late 1973, they backed Bobby again on a remake of "Lookin' for a Love". Prior to that, the Valentinos emerged with a minor R&B hit of Bobby's "I Can Understand It", its success landing them a performing spot on the hit dance show, Soul Train.
In 1972 Bobby released the album Understanding. The album reached No. 43 on the Billboard pop albums chart and No. 7 on the R&B albums chart. One of the key songs from the album, "I Can Understand It", has become a soul classic, and Bobby later produced a cover version of it for The Valentinos.
Although it was assumed that Bobby's 1973 hit, "Harry Hippie", was about Harry, Bobby later said that the song was given to him by his collaborator and friend, country singer-songwriter Jim Ford. Nonetheless, Harry would dance during performances of the song, amusing the audience and Bobby. Harry's last professional recording was singing background (tenor) on Bobby's 1974 album Lookin' for a Love Again. The title track found success for a third time after its release.
Bobby described his brother as "bohemian" and "carefree". Harry had a confident stage presence and the ability to improvise in gigs. He was known to be soft-spoken, laid back and reflective, with a quick wit. He was quite reclusive, choosing to spend time with his friends.
Death
[edit]In March 1974, Bobby had noted a continuing escalation of relational problems between Harry and his girlfriend, Patricia,[1] and suggested that instead of touring, Harry stay at his home while the rest of the band went on tour. On the night of March 9, shortly after arriving at Bobby's house, Patricia started an argument with Harry, claiming she had found a pair of panties in Bobby's room. She stabbed Harry fatally in the neck with a steak knife. The death left her 7-year-old son (from a previous relationship) who Harry cared for, and their 3-year-old daughter, fatherless.[2] The undergarments later turned out to belong to a girlfriend of Bobby's.[3] Harry is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale.
A week after his death, his final recording on "Lookin' for a Love" reached number 1 on the R&B chart and number 10 on the pop chart, later selling two million copies.
Bobby performed "Harry Hippie" in tribute to Harry, for over four decades, until his death in 2014.
References
[edit]- ^ "Singer's Brother Is Buried After Stabbing By Woman". Jet. Vol. 46, no. 1. March 28, 1974. p. 52.
- ^ "The Story Behind Harry Hippie". Archived from the original on January 12, 2002. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
- ^ Wolk, Douglas. "Bobby Womack and His Brothers Found Love in Familiar Places". MTV News. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
External links
[edit]Harry Womack
View on GrokipediaEarly Life
Family Background
Harris "Harry" Womack was born on June 25, 1945, in Cleveland, Ohio, as the fourth of five sons in a close-knit family headed by his parents, Friendly Womack Sr. and Naomi Womack.[8][9] His brothers included Friendly Jr. (born 1941), Curtis (1942–2017), Bobby (1944–2014), and Cecil (1947–2013), all of whom shared a deep familial bond growing up on Cleveland's east side.[10] The family resided in a modest two-family home at East 84th and Quincy Avenue, where the household revolved around religious and musical activities during the 1940s and 1950s.[11] The Womack home was steeped in gospel traditions, influenced heavily by Friendly Sr.'s role as a part-time Baptist minister and steelworker who played guitar for the church choir when not at his day job.[11] Naomi Womack contributed by playing the organ for the church services, fostering an environment where music and faith intertwined daily.[11] All five brothers participated in church performances from a young age, singing gospel hymns under their parents' guidance, which laid the foundation for their shared musical inclinations in a devout Baptist setting.[12] Affectionately nicknamed "Goat" by his brothers—a playful moniker reflecting their tight sibling dynamic—Harry grew up in this nurturing yet disciplined religious household that emphasized moral values and communal worship.[2] This upbringing in post-World War II Cleveland, amid economic challenges for working-class families, shaped a resilient family unit centered on spiritual harmony and vocal expression.[11]Musical Beginnings
Harry Womack's introduction to music occurred early in life, as he began singing with his three older brothers and younger brother Cecil in the family gospel group known as the Womack Brothers around age seven in the early 1950s. The siblings performed traditional gospel songs in local churches throughout Cleveland and the Midwest, drawing on their Baptist upbringing to deliver harmonious renditions that captivated congregations. These initial performances laid the foundation for Harry's lifelong commitment to music, fostering his vocal skills amid a supportive familial environment.[11] Within the Womack Brothers, Harry quickly established himself as a key contributor by serving as the bass player and tenor vocalist. His deep bass lines provided rhythmic stability to the ensemble's sound, while his tenor voice added rich harmonic layers to their gospel arrangements, complementing the leads taken by brothers like Bobby and Curtis. These roles highlighted Harry's versatility from a young age, as the group honed their act through frequent church appearances and regional tours, often accompanied by their father on guitar and mother on organ.[8] A pivotal moment came in 1961, when Harry was 16, as the Womack Brothers signed with SAR Records, a label founded by Sam Cooke, who recognized their potential and facilitated the deal. This signing represented a significant shift, guiding the group away from strictly gospel material toward rhythm and blues, though their early recordings retained gospel influences. Cooke's mentorship not only secured their entry into the professional music industry but also marked Harry's formal debut as a recording artist, setting the stage for broader recognition.[11]Career
The Womack Brothers and The Valentinos
The Womack Brothers, consisting of siblings Friendly Jr., Curtis, Cecil, Bobby, and Harry Womack, initially performed gospel music before transitioning to secular R&B under the guidance of Sam Cooke. Signed to Cooke's SAR Records label in 1961 for gospel releases, the group evolved into The Valentinos in 1962, marking their shift to R&B with a focus on soulful harmonies and upbeat rhythms.[13] This rebranding allowed them to release their first secular single, "Lookin' for a Love," produced by Cooke, which showcased the brothers' tight vocal interplay and became a moderate hit.[14] Harry Womack played a key role in the group's sound as the bassist and background singer, providing rhythmic foundation and harmonic depth to their recordings and live shows. On "Lookin' for a Love," released in June 1962, his bass lines supported the lead vocals of brother Bobby, helping the track reach No. 8 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 72 on the Hot 100.[15] Similarly, on the 1964 single "It's All Over Now," co-written by Bobby and Shirley Womack, Harry's contributions to the background vocals and bass enhanced the song's energetic groove, though it only peaked at No. 94 on the Hot 100.[16] The Rolling Stones later covered "It's All Over Now" in June 1964 after hearing the original during a U.S. tour, propelling it to No. 1 in the UK and introducing The Valentinos' material to a broader audience.[17] During live performances, including tours opening for artists like James Brown, Harry helped maintain the group's dynamic stage presence, blending gospel roots with emerging soul styles.[18] The Valentinos achieved moderate success in the mid-1960s R&B scene, releasing several singles on SAR Records, but their trajectory was disrupted by external factors. Following Sam Cooke's murder in December 1964, SAR Records collapsed, leaving the group without their primary supporter and leading to a brief stint with Chess Records where they issued only two singles with limited impact.[19] Internal shifts, including Bobby Womack's growing solo opportunities, contributed to the group's gradual disbandment by the late 1960s, though Harry remained active in performances and recordings until then. While Harry did not receive primary songwriting credits on their hits, his consistent role in the ensemble solidified The Valentinos' place in the era's soul music landscape.[20]Collaborations with Bobby Womack
Following the decline of The Valentinos in the late 1960s, Harry Womack shifted his focus to supporting his brother Bobby's burgeoning solo career, taking on roles as a bassist and background vocalist during the early 1970s.[6] Harry contributed background vocals to Bobby's 1970 album My Prescription, joining other family members like Friendly Jr., Curtis, and Cecil Womack in providing harmonic support that enriched the record's soulful texture.[21] His bass work also featured prominently on Bobby's live recording The Womack Live (1970), where his strong, resonant lines underpinned extended performances, particularly on the medley "The Preacher/More Than I Can Stand," which peaked at number 30 on the Billboard R&B chart.[22] By 1974, Harry continued his vocal contributions on Bobby's album Lookin' for a Love Again, delivering tenor background parts that complemented the title track's reworking of the Valentinos' earlier hit and helped propel it to number 1 on the Billboard R&B chart.[23] This collaboration marked Harry's final studio appearance with Bobby.[23] The brothers' professional dynamic was marked by close collaboration, with Harry frequently touring alongside Bobby to perform live and contributing to sessions that blended family gospel roots with emerging soul and funk elements, often centered in Los Angeles where the Womacks had relocated.[6][24]Personal Life
Personality and Lifestyle
Harry Womack was known for his carefree and bohemian personality, which was reflected in the nickname "Harry Hippie" from his brother Bobby Womack's 1972 song of the same name, dedicated to him after his death and capturing his relaxed, countercultural demeanor.[6] His brother Bobby Womack described him as a free spirit who embraced a laid-back existence, shunning the pressures of conventional success in favor of personal freedom and simplicity.[25] Womack's lifestyle reflected bohemian influences, exemplified by his expressed desire to live on an Indian reservation, symbolizing a rejection of materialistic pursuits and a draw toward communal, nature-oriented living.[25] Unlike his more driven brothers, who pursued rigorous musical careers with The Valentinos, Harry adopted a casual approach to both music and life, prioritizing enjoyment over ambition and often avoiding the intense demands of the industry.[25] This contrast highlighted his unpressured outlook, where he focused on living in the moment rather than chasing fame or financial stability.[26] Family accounts paint Harry as humorously laid-back and generous, always ready with a joke to lighten the mood and willing to share whatever he had, such as the shirt off his back.[25] From childhood, he exhibited a happy-go-lucky nature that persisted into adulthood, making him a beloved figure for his easygoing charm and infectious positivity within the family.[25]Relationships and Family
Harry Womack was never married and is known to have had one significant long-term relationship in adulthood with his girlfriend, Patricia Wilson, which lasted approximately five years until his death in 1974. The couple shared a home in Los Angeles, where Womack had relocated in the early 1960s as part of The Valentinos' transition to the West Coast music industry under Sam Cooke's management and production. This move aligned with the group's career shift from Cleveland to the vibrant Los Angeles scene, allowing Womack to immerse himself in recording sessions and performances while building a personal life in the city. At the time of the incident leading to his death, the couple was staying at the home of Womack's brother Bobby in Los Angeles, underscoring the intertwined nature of family support and professional pursuits during this period.[1][26][27] No prior romantic relationships for Womack are documented in available accounts, with his personal life largely centered on this partnership and his close bonds with his siblings, which facilitated his relocation and career stability in Los Angeles.[1]Death and Legacy
Circumstances of Death
On March 9, 1974, Harry Womack, aged 28, was fatally stabbed in the neck with a steak knife by his girlfriend, Patricia Wilson, during a jealousy-fueled argument at his brother Bobby Womack's home in Los Angeles, California.[2][6] The dispute reportedly arose after Wilson discovered women's undergarments in a room, which she believed indicated infidelity on Womack's part, though they later turned out to belong to one of Bobby Womack's girlfriends.[2] Bobby Womack had invited his brother to stay at the house while he was away on a promotional tour, amid Harry's own relationship troubles.[2] The incident occurred while Bobby Womack was out of town, and upon his return, he was confronted with the tragedy, which he later described as profoundly shattering to the family.[28] The death left an immediate emotional void, with Bobby noting the sudden loss compounded existing family stresses and halted his own professional momentum at the time.[28] The cause of death was a stab wound to the neck.[8] Womack was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, where his gravesite remains a point of remembrance for fans and family.[2]Musical Tributes and Influence
One of the most notable musical tributes to Harry Womack is his brother Bobby Womack's 1972 single "Harry Hippie," written by Jim Ford specifically as a dedication to Harry, capturing his carefree and laid-back persona despite being released two years before Harry's death.[29] The song, featured on Bobby's album Understanding, portrays Harry as a free-spirited figure who prioritized personal happiness over material concerns, reflecting anecdotes from their shared family life and musical journey. Bobby later elaborated on the track's origins in interviews, noting it stemmed from Harry's distinctive lifestyle within the Womack family dynamic.[6] Harry's role as the bassist for The Valentinos helped shape the group's sound during their transition from gospel to R&B.[7] In broader R&B history, Harry's legacy endures through the Womack family's pioneering role in blending gospel with soul, as recognized in modern honors such as the 2025 induction of The Womack Brothers/The Valentinos into the West Virginia Music Hall of Fame, which celebrated the quintet's—including Harry's—enduring contributions to American music.[30] Bobby's 2006 autobiography, Midnight Mover: The Bobby Womack Story, reflects on Harry's life and tragic loss as pivotal to the family's narrative, ensuring his influence remains documented in personal accounts.[31] Reissues of the group's recordings, such as the 2015 compilation Lookin' for a Love: The Complete SAR Recordings, highlight Harry's bass work and vocals, renewing appreciation for the group's discography and its lasting imprint on soul music.[32]References
- https://www.[allmusic](/page/AllMusic).com/artist/valentino-mn0000572313
- https://www.[allmusic](/page/AllMusic).com/artist/harry-womack-mn0001189621