News | Entertainment
9 Jan 2025 0:00
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Soul singer Brenton Wood has died

    The 83-year-old musician - best known for his 1967 hit 'The Oogum Boogum Song' - passed away from natural causes at his home in Moreno Valley on Friday (03.01.25)


    His manager and assistant Manny Gallegos confirmed the news to Variety.

    Brenton was surrounded by his family as he passed and Gallegos said his final words for his fans were "Catch you on the rebound", a reference to his most famous song, which has repeatedly been used across film, television and in commercial campaigns.

    Brenton was born Alfred Jesse Smith in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in San Pedro, Los Angeles.

    He went to high school in Compton, LA and later attended Compton College.

    He adopted his stage name as a reference to his home county and was inspired by artists including Sam Cooke and Jesse Belvin.

    Wood went on to cover the classic 'A Change is Gonna Come', which was originally performed by Cooke.

    His biggest hits 'The Oogum Boogum Song' reached number 19 on the Billboard R&B charts, and 'Gimme Little Sign' hit number nine on the pop charts.

    In 1972 he founded his own label Prophesy Records and went on to release music on his label Mr Wood Records.

    He launched his final tour, 'Catch You On The Rebound: The Last Tour' in 2024 but it had to be paused in May after he was admitted to hospital.

    In recent years 'The Oogum Boogum Song' found new popularity in films and TV shows such as 'The Umbrella Academy', 'Almost Famous' and 'Don't Worry Darling'.

    His single 'Great Big Bundle Of Love' also featured in season two of 'Big Little Lies'.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     08 Jan: Mindy Kaling says Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's cooking "blew me out of the water" after she appeared on her friend's upcoming Netflix series 'With Love, Meghan'
     08 Jan: Demi Moore thinks it's important to celebrate "all that we are"
     08 Jan: Sir Elton John poked fun at his sight loss as he presented a prize at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards
     08 Jan: 'The Brutalist' won the coveted Best Motion Picture - Drama accolade at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday (05.01.25)
     08 Jan: Jodie Foster dedicated her Golden Globe Award win to her sons and her wife
     08 Jan: Fernanda Torres became the first Brazilian to win a Best Actress Golden Globe Award on Sunday (05.01.25)
     08 Jan: Adrien Brody emotionally praised his family as he picked up his Golden Globe Award on Sunday (05.01.25) night
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    No signs of slowing down from tennis veteran Gael Monfils after his first-round victory at the ASB Classic in Auckland More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Safe drinking advocates are celebrating, over a licensing decision refusing 'buy now, pay later' schemes in bottle stores More...



     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Two of Auckland's popular dining locations have closed their doors over the New Year period, as their owner works on plans for its next venture 21:57

    Entertainment:
    Mindy Kaling says Meghan, Duchess of Sussex's cooking "blew me out of the water" after she appeared on her friend's upcoming Netflix series 'With Love, Meghan' 21:44

    Law and Order:
    More than two-thousand Northland properties are without internet due to a damaged fibre cable 21:17

    Entertainment:
    Demi Moore thinks it's important to celebrate "all that we are" 21:14

    Entertainment:
    Sir Elton John poked fun at his sight loss as he presented a prize at the 2024 Golden Globe Awards 20:44

    Entertainment:
    'The Brutalist' won the coveted Best Motion Picture - Drama accolade at the Golden Globe Awards on Sunday (05.01.25) 20:14

    Entertainment:
    Jodie Foster dedicated her Golden Globe Award win to her sons and her wife 19:44

    Entertainment:
    Fernanda Torres became the first Brazilian to win a Best Actress Golden Globe Award on Sunday (05.01.25) 19:14

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix believe making their home ground a fortress again is crucial to turning their season around 18:57

    International:
    Live updates: Thousands evacuated as Palisades wildfire rages in Los Angeles region 18:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd