Who are the three lovely young ladies in the above photo? Well, there isn’t a simple answer to such a complicated question. These ladies go by the name, The Womack Sisters. So, your first guess would likely be ‘They must be Bobby Womack’s daughters,’ right? Nope, their truth is far more complex. So lets dig into their truth — it begins with Sam Cooke. Follow me on this web of relationships that produced these beautiful young ladies with a last name so renowned and respected in soul music.

The Breakdown Of Their Complicated, Yet Iconic Family Tree

Soul singer, Sam Cooke, married his then-wife, Barbara Cooke. After Sam passed away, Barbara then married his close friend, blues music legend, Bobby Womack. Barbara already had a daughter, Linda Cooke, who is the child from her prior marriage to Sam Cooke. Then the plot thickened even further. So, not only did Barbara and Bobby Womack wed, but Bobby had an affair with…wait for it…Barbara’s then-young daughter, Linda Cooke!

Yes, Bobby Womack married Sam Cooke’s widow, Barbara, and eventually began an affair with her and Sam’s daughter; Linda (for which he got shot, but that’s another story) during their marriage. You following me thus far ILOSM fam’? Okay, good. But hol’ up, wait a minute though…there’s more…

Linda Cooke (pictured below) then breaks up with her stepfather-turned-boyfriend, Bobby Womack. Linda began dating Bobby’s BROTHER, Cecil Womack, whom she eventually married, taking on the name Linda Cooke-Womack. Linda and Cecil had seven children together….hence, you have The Womack Sisters!

In short, The Womack Sisters are the children of Linda Cooke-Womack (Sam Cooke’s daughter) and Cecil Womack (Bobby Womack’s brother). They are also the granddaughters of both Sam Cooke, and his — and Bobby Womack’s — ex-wife, Barbara Cooke. And their Mother’s ex-boyfriend is their uncle, Bobby Womack. Whew…that was a loaded entanglement to unpack wasn’t it?!!

The Womack Sisters’ Parents, Cecil and Linda Womack

By the way, Linda and Cecil Womack had a successful recording career under the name, Womack & Womack, penning songs for artists such as Wilson Pickett, James Taylor, Teddy Pendergrass, Patti Labelle, Debbie Harry, Eric Clapton and Elton John.

Watch The Womack Sisters Perform – They Can SANG!

 

 

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What do The Womack Sisters do, you ask? Their R&B group consists of sisters, BG, KC, and Imani – three soulful vocalists and songwriters, who also sometimes go by the name:

The Womack Sisters are performing to crowds of 10,000 plus, working with the Rolling Stones, Kid Rock, Bonnie Rait, Ozzy Osborne, Annie Lennox and many more, are all in their own way life changing moments that have crafted the sound, the feel and the depth of the Womack Sisters.

Wow, what a rollercoaster! But we’re glad to see that The Womack Sisters are in touch with their musical roots, because those ladies can SANG. Check out one of their live performances below…

As you can see, those musical genes rom their iconic family tree runs all up, down, and through their DNA. Wishing The Womack Sisters much continued success.

And simply because we dig Sam Cooke’s and Bobby Womack’s music, here at I Love Old School Music, enjoy two of their classics below…

Bobby Womack’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now”

Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come”

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