‘What You Won’t Do for Love’ singer Bobby Caldwell dies at 71

Bobby Caldwell, a multi-genre singer-songwriter, died Tuesday, his wife Mary said. He was 71 years old.

Although the official cause of death has not been released, his wife told NBC News that he died of fluoroquinolone toxicity after he was prescribed an antibiotic in 2017 that “ravaged” his body. had done

“It was prescribed with a runny nose and a cough and it should never have happened but it did and if you get hit as badly as that, it’s irreversible,” he said. “It just wreaks havoc.”

gave The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 2016. Regarding the use of fluoroquinolone in the treatment of “less serious” bacterial infections due to the disabling side effects associated with it. Warning labels were also updated in 2013 to include potentially irreversible nerve damage from the drug.

Consumers will be most familiar with Cipro, a brand name variation of quinolone antibiotics.

Influenced by artists such as Nat King Cole and the Beatles, Caldwell began his career in music at the age of 17, writing and singing hits such as “What You Want to Do for Love” and “My Flame”. His parents were also singers who hosted musical variety shows, According to a biography on his website.

Caldwell’s ability to tap into multiple genres, including jazz and R&B, has given his catalog longevity. His song “What You Want To Do For Love” was sampled by Boyz II Men for their song “To The Limit” in 1997, nearly 20 years after it was first released.

Rapper Biggie Smalls also sampled Caldwell in the 1990s, using “My Flame” in his hit “Sky the Limit”, which was later used in a biopic about Small’s life and career.

Caldwell lived in New Jersey and is survived by his wife and daughters.