Sweet tea & scandals: Destiny Swapping??

Now that I think about it, he didn’t want to be Sam’s friend, he wanted to be Sam. Chile - a mess!

So y’all know Bobby Womack, right? “If ya think ya lonely NOooOOOoooOwww, WAIT UNTIL TONIGHT, GURL!” Yeah, him. Well, he was signed and mentored by Sam Cooke—the musical legend, smooth crooner who pretty much invented soul music as we know, love, and respect today. Now, Sam treated the younger Bobby like family—like a brother. Sam played a huge and important role in Bobby’s rise in the music world; the two shared a bond. Unfortunately, in 1964, Sam passed away under extremely questionable circumstances (chile, that is a whole ‘nother story!), and what happened shortly after shocked the world.

Friends, family, and fans alike were devastated by the sudden loss. But guess what? Only three months after Sam’s tragic passing—just THREE—Bobby Womack made a move slicker than Ronald Isley’s ponytail and married Sam Cooke’s widow, Barbara. People were outraged, feeling like Bobby had crossed every line. I mean, what can you really say to something like this? Was it a secret affair that had been going on between them all along? Was there a hidden plot? Folks were talking, and it just did not look good at all.

Now, if you ask the spiritual girlies, they’d say (and I’d have to agree here) that Bobby Womack was what we call Destiny Swapping, and it is exactly what it sounds like. The backlash from the nuptials between Bobby and Barbara was dramatic. Things had gotten so contentious between Bobby and Sam’s brothers that they attacked Bobby for his scandalous ways, huney. They weren’t just mad about the marriage; the tea was scalding when they found out Bobby was wearing Sam’s clothes. YES! Wearing the man’s clothes! Remember what I said about destiny swapping?

If that’s not bad enough, Bobby then went on to have an affair with, and marry, Linda Cooke Barbara and Sam’s daughter and Bobby’s stepdaughter! Girl, what the hell. Bobby and Barbara had one child together, while he and Linda had four. This whole situation is so unnecessarily complex, but I mean, he did let the people know what type of time he was on with his iconic song.

Despite this scandal following Bobby in life, he still built a legendary career with some added razzle-dazzle. He put out hit after hit, but let’s be honest, eventually the music took a back seat, and his complicated family life was probably the highlight. Sam Cooke, on the other hand, remains a towering figure in music history. His legacy is rock solid, but the story of what went down with Bobby after his death is one of those things folks will always whisper about.

Regardless of Bobby’s weird and maybe even predatory actions (allegedly, Linda was a teen when their “affair” started), he has solidified himself in music history. Now as what? I’m not too sure, but everyone knows his song and his mess. I’ll leave you with, suge, the next time you are struggling to make a decision, be bold and audacious like Bobby (but with caution and care!!). I love you sha, and I’ll see you next time!