The classic soul singer behind hits like “The Oogum Boogum Song” and “Gimme Little Sign” has died at the age of 83.
Brenton Wood, the legendary R&B artist known for the 1960s classic “The Oogum Boogum Song,” has passed away at the age of 83, as confirmed by his management team.
Wood died peacefully in his sleep, his longtime managers Isabel and Manny Gallegos confirmed. An official cause of death has not been released.
Born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana, Wood later relocated with his family to San Pedro, California and attended Compton College.
In 1967, Brenton Wood achieved widespread fame with “The Oogum Boogum Song,” which peaked at number 34 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 19 on the Billboard R&B charts. Another one of his hits, “Gimme Little Sign,” reached the impressive position of number 9 on the pop charts.
Wood later established his own label, Prophesy Records, in 1972 and continued releasing music through Mr. Wood Records in subsequent decades.
Manny Gallegos told Variety that Wood’s parting message to fans was “Catch you on the rebound,” referencing his 1967 song of the same name.
Despite the years that have passed since its release, “The Oogum Boogum Song” continues to enjoy popularity, being featured in numerous television shows and films. In more recent times, the song has experienced a revival with a new generation of fans, thanks to its use in the popular social media platform TikTok.
Earlier this year, Wood began what was planned as his farewell tour, “Catch You on the Rebound: The Last Tour.”
