Singer Bobby Caldwell dies at 71

Singer Bobby Caldwell passed away Tuesday at the age of 71. The artist, known for his 1978 song What You Won't Do For Love, died at his home after a six-year battle with a long illness. His wife, Mary Caldwell, announced the news on the artist's Twitter profile:

Caldwell suffered from a disease called Floxing. According to the Regenerative Medicine LA treatment center, this disease occurs as a result of a side effect of taking a fluoroquinolone antibiotic.

The artist became famous in 1978 thanks to his song What You Won't Do For Love. Variety reported that his smooth jazz hit was released in September '78 and was the song that put the singer on the map after signing a contract with the Miami label TK Records. However, the label, intent on competing against Smokey Robinson, Teddy Pendergrass and many other black artists in the radio format known as the "silent storm," decided to conceal Caldwell's true racial identity.

However, the secrecy was short-lived. The song became so popular that audiences began to request that he perform it live. Against all odds, it became even more popular when Caldwell's true racial identity was discovered. It reached number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 and number six on the R&B chart. Not only did the song become popular, but the album also went double platinum that same year.