News: Bobby Womack
Soul icon diagnosed with colon cancer, according to friend Bootsy Collins
SOUL legend Bobby Womack has been diagnosed with colon cancer, says friend and Parliament bassist Bootsy Collins.
According to updates posted on Collins’ Facebook account over the weekend, the 68-year-old songwriter — whose comeback album is due in June — is also being treated for pneumonia, but remains “very upbeat about his future”.
“Funkateers, Send Prayers & Love Vibes Up for “Bobby Womack”,” Collins wrote on Saturday (March 24). “He is Fighting Pneumonia in the Hospital Now. Will Update After I talk to Him. Thx u all.”
A second post appearing on Sunday ran: “I JUST SPOKE TO OUR FRIEND BOBBY WOMACK. He Wanted You All to Know That He Loves You & Thxs for the Prayers. Docs Says He Is In 1st Stage of Colon Cancer, He is Very Up Beat About His Future, we laughed & joked before we hung up. Thxs Funkateers, we will get him Back on the One!”
Earlier this month, Womack — who underwent surgery for prostate cancer last year — was taken to hospital in Houston, Texas, complaining of “severe shortness of breath”. His representative explained that the singer would undergo a “minor heart procedure”.
The Bravest Man In The Universe arrives as Womack’s first album in 13 years due on June 11 via XL, and is co-produced by the label’s founder Richard Russell alongside Damon Albarn. The record will also feature contributions from Fatoumata Diawara and Lana Del Rey.
