Critically acclaimed soul singer, Charles Bradley, has died age 68 following a long battle with cancer.
Bradley’s death was announced on Twitter on Saturday night.
The short statement read: “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Charles Bradley. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
“He was diagnosed with stomach cancer in the fall of 2016 and underwent treatment. Bradley headed out on the road earlier this year after receiving a clean bill of health but the cancer recently returned, spreading to his liver.
“Thank you for your prayers during this difficult time. Mr. Bradley was truly grateful for all the love he’s received from his fans and we hope his message of love is remembered and carried on.”
Earlier this month, he told fans after cancelling his tour: “I love all of you out there that made my dreams come true.
“When I come back, I’ll come back strong, with God’s love. With God’s will, I’ll be back soon.”
A drifter as a teen who battled with illiteracy, poverty and chronic unemployment, the Brooklyn singer would later nearly die from a penicillin allergy and find his brother murdered by Bradley’s own nephew.
In 1962, at the age of 14, Bradley’s sister took him to James Brown‘s landmark performance at the Apollo Theater. The show transformed Bradley, who would later find regional success in New York as a James Brown impersonator named Black Velvet.
The documentary ‘Charles Bradley: Soul of America‘, directed by Poull Brien, followed Bradley’s journey during the transformative months before the 2011 release of his debut album No Time for Dreaming.
Bradley, whose soaring vocals earned him the moniker “The Screaming Eagle of Soul,” put his heart into his live shows, winning over audiences around the world.
