The raspy , gruff voice behind some of the most soulful songs of the past six decades is now gone . Legendary soul singer Bobby Womack died Friday , Womack 's publicist said . He was 70 . `` I am sadly able to confirm but I have no details at this time , '' said Sonya Kolowrat , his publicist with XL Recordings . Womack , whose career started before he was 10 , wrote and performed hits such as `` That 's the Way I feel About Cha '' and `` Across 110th Street . '' He also wrote The Rolling Stones ' first U.S. No . 1 hit , `` It 's All Over Now . '' Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 . Last year , he revealed to BBC 6 music that he had early signs of Alzheimer 's disease . `` With the support of many good doctors , my family , and all of my wonderful fans , I will continue to write and perform and bring the good music to the people for as long as I can , '' Womack told CNN after his diagnosis . He thanked his fans for their prayers and well wishes , adding , `` I truly appreciate and can feel your love . '' Womack 's diagnosis came after several other health issues including pneumonia , diabetes , and colon cancer . The evolution of a legend . Bobby Dwayne Womack was born in Cleveland , Ohio , in 1944 . His father , a steelworker , also sang gospel -- and young Bobby followed in his father 's musical footsteps . `` We came up very poor . My kids have had a much better life than I 'd ever thought of livin ' , '' Womack said on his website . By age 10 , Womack and his four brothers -- Friendly Jr. , Cecil , Harry and Curtis -- formed The Womack Brothers . They started touring the gospel circuit . Then came an encounter that would change the course of the group . In 1953 , The Womack Brothers met Soul Stirrers lead singer Sam Cooke . After The Womack Brothers changed their name to the Valentinos , Cooke signed them to his SAR Records label , and the Valentinos ' success took off with the hit `` Lookin ' for a Love . '' `` Sam had charisma and a very special way to get into people 's hearts through his songs and his music , '' Womack said in the book `` Midnight Mover . '' `` But Sam was n't just a singer , he was a leader , and he was getting ready to shake things up , to raise the consciousness of the world and stop prejudice . '' But in 1964 , Cooke was shot to death at a Los Angeles motel . Four months later , Womack married Cooke 's widow . That same year , The Rolling Stones covered Womack 's `` It 's All Over Now '' -- and scored their first No . 1 hit in the United States . And Womack became rich . He broke off into a solo career , which took off in 1967 with his first song `` Trust Me . '' His song `` Across 110th Street '' became a hit in 1972 and rode a new wave of popularity in 1997 when it was featured in the opening credits of Quentin Tarantino 's film `` Jackie Brown . '' Mourning an icon . Decades after The Rolling Stones made it big with Womack 's song , guitarist Ronnie Wood recalled his friend 's ability to captivate his audiences . `` I 'm so sad to hear about my friend Bobby Womack -- the man who could make you cry when he sang has brought tears to my eyes with his passing , '' Wood tweeted . `` My heart goes out to his family & friends and everyone who loved his music . Bobby you will be greatly missed . '' Singer Darius Rucker also remembered Womack 's renowned baritone voice . `` To the great Bobby Womack . Rest In Peace u legend , '' Rucker tweeted . `` Heaven just got another great singer for its choir . ''
Womack dies at 70 ; his publicist reveals no other details . He said 4 months he 'd been diagnosed with early signs of Alzheimer 's disease . Sam Cooke was inducted into Cooke in 2009 . He married the widow of music partner Sam Cooke 2009 after the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 's death .