R&B and soul singer Bobby Womack dies at 70

Bobby Womack, a colorful and highly influential R&B singer-songwriter who impacted artists from the Rolling Stones to Damon Albarn, has died. He was 70.

Womack's publicist Sonya Kolowrat said the singer died Friday but had no other details to provide. He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease two years ago and dealt with a number of health issues, including prostate cancer.

Womack, who rose within the gospel music community in the 1950s, became a key figure in the R&B genre and is best known for hits including "Lookin' For A Love," "That's The Way I Feel About 'Cha," and "Woman's Gotta Have It." In 2009, Womack was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After catching the attention of the Stones in the 1960s, Womack influenced many early rockers before fading from popular music for more than a decade. 

Albarn and XL Recordings president Richard Russell helped Womack regain his career with the 2012 comeback album, "The Bravest Man in the Universe."

He was well enough to perform just two weeks ago at the Bonnaroo music festival in Tennessee, where he seemed in good health and spirits.

Wire services