Singer Brenton Wood, Known for 'The Oogum Boogum Song,' Dies at 83: 'Catch You on the Rebound'

01/04/2025 06:50 PM

"I told him, 'Friend, is there anything you want to say to your fans?' And he says, you tell my fans I said, 'Catch you on the rebound,' " Wood's manager and publicist recalled

Musician Brenton Wood, known for the hit "The Oogum Boogum Song," has died at the age of 83.

The soul singer died at his home in Moreno Valley, Calif., on Friday, Jan. 3, surrounded by his family and friends, his manager and publicist Manny Gallegos confirmed to Entertainment Weekly, the New York Post and TMZ.

PEOPLE reached out to Gallegos for comment.

Wood died of natural causes, Gallegos told the New York Post, saying, "He went in his sleep peacefully." He added, "The love that he gave us, God took him the same way."

Though, the singer didn't go without a few parting words.

"I was there last night at his house. I was playing the piano for him. He was in the hospital bed, and I told him, 'Friend, is there anything you want to say to your fans?' And he says, you tell my fans I said, 'Catch you on the rebound,' " Gallegos recalled of Wood's final words, which referenced his 1967 song and the name of his final tour, per EW.

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Gallegos told the New York Post that Wood began to feel ill after completing his tour on Valentine's Day weekend in 2024, and he was hospitalized weeks later in May. 

Wood, whose real name is Alfred Jesse Smith, was born in Shreveport, La., and moved to San Pedro, Calif., in the 1950s. Growing up, the "Me and You" crooner sought inspiration from artists including Jesse Belvin and Sam Cooke and began songwriting and playing the piano, according to a biography on his website. 

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However, it wasn't until he entered college that he finally came up with his stage name Brenton Wood — which was inspired by the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, per the New York Post.

He landed a record deal with Double Shot Records in 1967 and, shortly after, released some of his most popular hits, including "The Oogum Boogum Song," "Gimme Little Sign" and "Baby You Got It," according to Billboard. 

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"The Oogum Boogum Song," in particular, has gone through a renaissance in recent years, having been featured in numerous TV shows and films including Don't Worry Darling, The Umbrella Academy and Almost Famous, Billboard reported.

Wood released nine studio albums and several compilations, per EW. In 1972, he founded his own label, Prophesy Records, before releasing music under Mr. Wood Records.

The late singer's passion didn't only lie in music, but in "giving back" to his community, according to his website. Along with touring, he performed "at local schools and community outreach events" for "at-risk youth." During the performances, he would share the "challenges and successes" that he went through in life and promoted a "can do" message of empowerment.