The Bravest Man In The Universe was 70 years old.

Sad news: Bobby Womack has died, according to his label XL Recordings. Last year, he revealed that he was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease; he had previously beaten colon cancer.

Womack spent five decades in the music business, first as the lead singer of The Valentinos and a backing guitarist for Sam Cooke, before launching a fruitful solo career that spanned soul, R&B, gospel and beyond. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

In 2012, Womack teamed with Damon Albarn and Richard Russell on The Bravest Man In The Universe. Womack was working on a follow-up album that was to feature Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, and Snoop Dogg; he had also expressed interest in working with Lana Del Rey.