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Brenton Wood, soul singer who wrote songs like “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign” died at the age of 83.
Wood’s family confirmed the news to Fox News Digital.
“Our family would like to thank each and every one of Dad’s fans for the outpouring of love they have shown. He loved and cherished you all, and you all show that you love him!” they wrote.
Singer and songwriter Brenton Wood died at the age of 83. (David Redfern/Redferns)
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They continued: “A few years after recording his biggest hits, dad said his label took everything and left him with just the name Brenton Wood. Thank you for showing how much this name means!”
In 1967, Wood had his first hit “The Oogum Boogum Song”, which peaked at #19 on the Billboard R&B chart and #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. He followed that up with his biggest hit, “Gimme Little Sign,” which peaked at #9 on the pop charts.
“Our family would like to thank each and every one of Dad’s fans for the outpouring of love they have shown. He loved and cherished you all, and you all show that you love him!”
“He described his writing style as ‘personal’, defying mainstream ethnic and musical stereotypes. However, he was most proud of his artistic rediscovery in the 1980s and 1990s,” his family said in a statement. “Newfound stage fame during this period secured his place in the popular culture universe as the founder of the ‘oldies but goodies’ movement.”
Wood had several hits, including “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign.” (ABC Photo Archive/Disney General Entertainment via Getty Images)
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Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wood moved with his family to San Pedro, California as a child, later settling in Compton, California.
The family noted, “Dad often attributed his success during these years to his devoted ‘hometown’ fan base, and he enjoyed interacting with them as much as possible. He was especially devoted to performing in his hometown of Southern California – and the West, where he had cultivated a great support over the years, he loved meeting his fans on their turf and wanted to return the love he felt as their “hometown” superstar.
Wood began farewell tour Catch You On The Rebound: The Last Tour in 2024, named after his 1967 song. The tour paused for a while while the singer was hospitalized in May.
In 2024, Wood went on a farewell tour, which was put on hold due to health problems. (Mike P. McGinnis/Getty Images)
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U statement to Variety, Wood’s manager and assistant Manny Gallegos said Wood died of natural causes surrounded by his family at his home in Moreno Valley, California. According to Gallegos, his last words were, “Catch you on the bounce.”
“Our family would like to thank each and every one of Dad’s fans for the outpouring of love they have shown. He loved and cherished you all, and you all show that you love him!” This was announced by the Wood family in a statement to Fox News Digital. (Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
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In a statement, Wood’s family said: ‘Recently reflecting on music and his career, Dad said it was ‘all in the memories’. We hope he gave you as many memorable gifts as he gave us.”
