Soul Singer Brenton Wood, Known for 'The Oogum Boogum Song,' Dies at 83

Kisah Berita 1001 - Soul singer Brenton Wood, best known for his iconic hit "The Oogum Boogum Song," has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by his manager, Manny Gallegos, to TMZ and Variety.

Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wood gained widespread recognition with his 1967 track "The Oogum Boogum Song", which became a staple in film, TV, and commercials. He died at his home in Moreno Valley, California, located 63 miles east of Los Angeles.

Wood grew up in San Pedro, a coastal area in Los Angeles, and later attended high school in Compton. It was during his time at Compton College that his passion for music ignited. Known for his skills as both a singer and pianist, Wood was also influenced by artists like Sam Cooke, whose classic "A Change is Gonna Come" he famously covered.

Before his breakout hit, Wood had released several songs, but it was "The Oogum Boogum Song" that truly put him on the map, reaching No. 19 on the Billboard R&B charts. In 1972, Wood started his own record label, Prophesy Records, and continued to release music through Mr. Wood Records for nearly five decades.

Wood’s music, including his hit song, experienced a resurgence in popularity, appearing in films and TV shows like The Umbrella Academy, Almost Famous, and Don’t Worry Darling.

In early 2024, he embarked on his final tour, "Catch You on the Rebound," named after his 1967 song. However, his tour was halted in May due to hospitalization, as reported by Variety.

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