Bobby Caldwell, Died Far Too Soon. "What You Won't do for Love" in his first live concert in 1978

Watch Bobby Caldwell, live on Miami Beach in 1978 performing his breakout hit "What You Won't Do For Love" for the first time ever. This was the first concert I ever filmed and edited for Instant Replay video magazine owned by the late, great Chuck Azar. We went on to create a series of music videos for his first album before MTV was ever invented. Bobby will be greatly missed by his fans. Feel free to use your comments to to leave your condolences.
Many people have called this the best music video on KZbin despite the primitive technical quality. Others have said they wish they had a time machine to go back to this perfect moment in time when music was played live by real musicians and not by computers.
You can see another one of Bobby's songs performed that same day at the following link: • RIP Bobby Caldwell, li...
George Monteiro of www.sea-cam.com
#ripbobbycaldwell
#bobbycaldwell #bobbycaldwelldeath
#bobbycaldwelldead

[@airatakhsaka]

my son was conceived on that beach during the show

[@seacamtv]

Seriously? I am sure he would be glad to hear that.

[@equalizertime5350]

airatak WOW I REMEMBER TIMES LIKE THAT AMAZING

[@BuddyBoo123]

I call bullshit. You weren't even born yet.

[@AntPernal]

My son was conceived alone in my room while watching this video. I'm a guy.

[@seacamtv]

I think I got a shot of that but the censors made me remove it.

[@rickvandijk]

Spring 2024, and this 46 year old performance still makes the sun shine brighter…..

[@lisafranchino5142]

Such good memories...my parents still alive, etc...much better times than these days!

[@trsdarrin]

40 years later I find out this guy is white he has so much soul I thought the singer was one of our black brothers.

[@Cgny]

I’m only 42 wasn’t even born yet when this happened but my favorite music is from this time period when people were real musicians using real instruments

[@sarahalbers5555]

And no auto tune.

[@bobgaffney9592]

Yes this is Bobby Caldwell.....he was 27 here....I was at the show

[@sarakhh1892]

Bob Gaffney lucky u

[@melaniesky3184]

Thats cool!

[@1087shotwell]

Bob Gaffney Sorry I thought he was black

[@rexiedeguzman6831]

Bob Gaffney so lucky u are😍😍😍

[@gdfggggg]

Wish I was there, sipping a nice cold beer tanning my Lilly whites xx

[@Charlotterichardson459]

The funk and that guitar riff at The end Incredible filling

[@viewdemonde]

Yes… so great!

[@Teamster572]

I was born in 1978 and this song is still smooth as butter in 2024

[@georgesmith2917]

Bobby Caldwell may have died today, but because of this song, he will live forever. RIP to the 🐐

[@JD-ip4fs]

Somebody call the police… the vibes are criminal!

[@elizabethcruz8342]

Bobby loved the way my brother and I danced. He used to play this at the club we were at. Nice guy. We really liked him. I used to hang out with his then girlfriend at the time. Talented man. Go with God, Bobby.

[@sosaemma7867]

It’s hard to believe that this song is over 40 years old. So classy 👏🏻

[@michaelb2388]

This is one of the very best videos on KZbin

[@miguelstingray]

This guy puts today's "singers" to shame.... No bs, no nonsense

[@toddtatum1274]

So amazing. This version is even better than the album version. The guitar is phenomenal. Very underrated artist indeed.

[@buddhastl7120]

If anyone under 30 ever asks what peak America was like show them this video. Beautiful people of all types without a care in the world besides enjoying the moment. RIP Bobby.

[@mt.rushmore7916]

I can't improve anything already said by others.....but.....how beautiful this was and is. I am just now seeing this and I am elated. Thank you so much.

[@OFFSIDESwithLSUfreek]

2:47 The girl is singing along then turns to her friend and says "I always thought he was black." lol

[@BrianRussick]

lmao yes! pure gold

[@thomasanderson7164]

OFFSIDESwithLSUfreek she was just singing, were do you get where she said that?

[@awkwardauntie1978]

Thomas Anderson Yes I watched it 3 times and she does both.

[@nathanhamer8987]

Looks more like she said "I can't believe he's white"

[@drummerschild6487]

lol!

[@justus8040]

Blackest "white boy" ever cool as hell get'em Bobby

[@elcomemierda2624]

Don't forget Dunkey

[@Crowes]

@@elcomemierda2624 SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS

[@zeitgeist2720]

Him and Mike McDonald

[@swaythegod5812]

Nah he’s white And Probably one greatest rnb singers ever

[@beliarincon9156]

Nah, hes white with an amazing talent.

[@jackstm2738]

Why do all concerts from the 70s and 80s sound so warm? It’s great

[@user-fb9fl3xi7l]

Jack STM it’s because they understood good sound back then and didn’t ruin the warm sound with harsh brightness like they do now

[@sam_klotz]

I think it’s more indicative of the technology used at the time

[@joshajcip]

@@user-fb9fl3xi7l Digital sounds brighter because it records the source as it is. Tape automatically removed high end frequencies, resulting in that warm sound.

[@1973camaroz28]

Analog. Thats why its warm sounding. Analog has a smooth sound wave. Digital does not .

[@santroNWA]

Tube amps bro

[@pgp3542]

That man had swag.. Usually the concert version of a song falls short... not this one. RIP

[@jasmineskydancer]

ABC reported that What You Won't Do for Love was sampled by over 100 artists! Mr. Caldwell got his professional break playing guitar in Little Richard's band in the early 70's went solo and wrote songs for Roberta Flack and Neil Diamond. He passed in his wife's arms...how sweet. Rest in Peace blue-eyed R&B maestro.

[@Charlotterichardson459]

What a guy before everything he wrote all songs about love and compassion, speaks volumes

[@KRAIDMEN]

People on the beach: man where’s Bobby Caldwell? Isn’t he that black dude? Bobby:I guess you wonder where I’ve been?

[@r2ndp]

🤣🤣

[@renneedwards9826]

LMFAOOO 😆

[@SandyRed881]

😂😂😂

[@GinMae]

Ha - thank, Uncle Lou -

[@genesis3790]

lmfaaao

[@elisiomiranda2460]

This performance takes us to an unimaginable places

[@cardelljermaine76]

Damn this was good enough to be the studio version hot damn almighty.

[@joewhittle801]

Cardell Jermaine straight facts! Even the drum fills were all in the same places during the vocals. It’s a studio-accurate rendition for sure

[@winedrinka]

Cardell Jermaine the guitar solo should’ve made the cut!!

[@ASSman864]

@@winedrinka yea fr maybe a fade out at the end of the studio song while hes playing the solo

[@brienmaybe.4415]

This is way better than the studio. The sights and scene make this version even more exciting.

[@johanponin1360]

Rare are live performance as tight. Unbelievable

[@avrildixon7291]

The 70's and up 90's were the best times with music like this ..wow .. We had a ball..and it was safe...had great friends.. happy memories ❤❤

[@myheartisinjapan3184]

How smooth can a person be? Damn...

[@robertfeinberg748]

One of my favorite videos. My condolences to his family and friends. RIP.

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

The most mis-managed artist in the history of pop music. This guy should have been as big as McDonald, Bryson, Jarreau, etc.

[@dogcow666]

no kidding!!

[@marcusdavis9030]

Chuck Kirkpatrick he made his money writing songs

[@chuckkirkpatrick6712]

Indeed he did, but he should have been a much bigger star in the U.S. Henry Stone dropped the ball with this one...

[@alansmith7626]

I was thinking Exactly the same thing !

[@deloresmoses1528]

@@alansmith7626 He had a smooth sounding voice too! I thought he was black when I first heard this song? Did he ever make any more songs?

[@rique_.leal.]

absolutely sick performance!!! on the beach, people jamming out and having fun. Truly a dream!!!

[@bradchervel5202]

Damn...he rips it so hard here.

[@lmitchell3604]

Still the dopest thing I’ve ever seen

[@soulatwork]

Everything in that video is cool. Everything.

[@rawdonwaller]

soulatwork Everything.

[@SeamHead33]

Mos def

[@ASSman864]

water seemed much clearer then did it not?

[@UNDERGROUNDskateco]

Lmao the goodyear blimp, the trucker hat, the shades, the beard, the SURFING LMAOO

[@beatz04]

I'm a massive Prince fan as can be, still i have to rate this video the best video on the internet right now. As you said, everything about this video is perfect. It doesn't get any perfecter than this.

[@paulricketts1089]

....R.I.P. Bobby..............a MONSTER Talent...............Boz Scaggs really appreciated his talent too..............

[@user-jb2fr8xw4i]

Life was very nice back then. 60s and 70s the best.

[@hattiethompson8540]

R.I.P. BOBBY... YOU WILL NEVER BE FOGOTTEN...💔😘

[@youma2996]

Fucking Awesome. Totally Cool.

[@jackjude]

I love the 78-82 "era", best of both decades.

[@notapplicable9970]

I was at that concert! We were all so excited to see him perform. He was so cool. :) Heartbroken at his passing.

[@alirzayev2888]

That guitar solo was 🔥

[@surreshguhan6033]

That outro is a fender advertisement. Even with the older recording equipment, just listen to that tone!!! That's pure gold! What a time to have been alive. Bobby Caldwell. My kids will know his name.

[@bjbob3920]

Not only singing it live but singing up one key (semitone). Mad respect. Rest in peace, Bobby.

[@MAHALSKI2]

Shredding too lawzy!

[@EternalResonance]

Respect to this man for bridging the gap, allowing people to expand their taste in music

[@syfman6]

He was a great guitarist too...💚🎸

[@rickastley9979]

3:20 this fooking guitar riff better than vai,bonamasa,metallica, megadeth,petruci,malmsteem ,john mayer,satriani,soad whole carreers

[@PremiumUserUltra]

normal voice or video degradation you decide

[@paulwbranner6609]

Rest In Paradise Brother Bobby 🌹

[@torta1449]

Makes u realize u need to record moments so u can always time travel and remember. No one gets younger sadly 😢

[@laycee2543]

i cant believe this video is real

[@jerrygeist1677]

Thanks for the music , God Bless you brother R.I.P

[@michaelreddington658]

How incredible does his band sound!

[@rondy702]

Man I miss the 70's!!!

[@athenachristinepalombi7867]

RIP BOBBY! THIS IS A WHOLE AF VIBE!!!!!! I grew up on this music and it is an endless inspiration

[@aliced8678]

He sounded as Good in his last year’s as he did in his first years, and a perfect song. Gone way too soon, A tremendous loss. ❤

[@jeanmcclain6532]

Although I didn’t start singing for Mr.Caldwell until ‘’94, Singing For Him Was The Best 19 Yrs Of Traveling To Japan and other places was one of the Best Times Of My Life!! Jean McClain

[@amybeacham4059]

I saw you many times with Bobby-he would always say “I don’t go anywhere without my Jean!”.

[@EvanFMusic]

Brava!

[@ScottCooperDeeDooper]

If you’re alive you need to make videos talking about your experiences. There are a lot of people who would love to know your stories.

[@donna4155]

Wow, I would have loved to have had that experience. Much respect to you...😎👊🏾

[@patm5086]

Jean, can you tell us who the players are onstage in this vid?

[@freddie2883]

This is an insanely pure, free from studio polish, spontaneous yet tight version of an absolute classic - composed and played in a way that is of course long gone and never to come back- a real musicians gem!

[@HipNoticQ]

Freddie truth

[@Suedeash]

Glad it's recorded for everyone else to experience though, wish we'd get another musician like Bobby these days

[@johanponin1360]

I've seen a lot of great bands live, and most of the time live sounds subpar. It's ok it's live, not a studio. 1 second into this video and you know it's above the pack. The drummer is tight, everybody is on the one, nothing sounds louder than it should, tempo doesn't shift ... Organic miracle (or maybe it's just that nowadays sucks)

[@fredflintstone2958]

@@johanponin1360 Both, I think....

[@roderickgrayson8254]

@@johanponin1360 Everything you said...I agree.

[@jonathansuarez1086]

Talk about absolutely crushing a live performance. You will be dearly missed, Bobby. The world will be a sadder place without your talent!

[@CarlosBerge-jw3fn]

Incredible. I just came across this today and I’m stunned. My band opened for Bobby that day on Miami Beach and we spoke for a while after the show. Such an inspiration and talent. He’s moved on but remembered always.

[@GarryL]

thats awesome, what a moment in history you witnessed and took part in. pleasure to have read your comment.

[@candace3124]

When and where was that exactly. I'm 72 myself and this is the kind of music I listened to, such smooth soul.

[@matiaslerenaclaussen6502]

Thanks .You are A witness

[@EbonyPope]

Does anybody know what the song snippet is at the very beginning???

[@viewdemonde]

How good was that!👏❤️

[@JoJo-yc6wf]

To whom watches this video, may the peace and pure happiness be with you always :)

[@jeromeodagreat6201]

i know younger blacks that didn't know he was white until I told them. they would argue me down! Back in the day, Natalie Cole was like Mary J. Blige is today. And if you went to Natalie's concerts, Bobby would open for her and everyone at the concert would be looking at each other like wait what? LOL! But we loved him on in. He would run from the keyboard, then guitar....dude was very talented and had a strong voice and could harmonize like no other. Mind you, he wrote most of his hits and then others would cover the same hit and blow up! It was a string of Anglo brothers from another mother that we called "Blue Eyed Soul"...Micheal McDonald of the Doobie Brothers, Kenny Loggins, Daryl Hall of Hall & Oates, Boz Scaggs, Billy Joel, 3 Dog Night to name a few. We old folks know but the younger generation missed out on all that excellent music that helped create the genre now called Pop. He never had a picture on his albums as if blacks wouldn't love him in, just as we had with all the other Blue Eyed Soul peeps and basically anyone with a good sound and good vocals like Steely Dan or Chicago, Madonna, Timberlake, The Beastie Boys, lol and so on... By the 80's, Pop was getting pretty diverse and by the 90's Hip-hop took over using samples from many of these same Blue Eyed Soul hits. On a side note, there was a club music, post disco singer/dancer that blew up on the club scene in the 90's that always reminded me of Bobby Caldwell for some reason: Jamiroquai. Even though Bobby's vocals seem stronger, I don't know, why but one always reminded me of the other. Perhaps it was the soulfulness. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z5mrhHtvqK-Ie9E kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHe9i4lpnqemftk

[@mootbooxle]

Jeromeo Grayson beautiful post brother.

[@jeromeodagreat6201]

thanks! just saying

[@bloophero]

I think the difference with Jay (Jamiroquai) was the fact people were surprised to learn he was white AND a bloke! ;)

[@jeromeodagreat6201]

LOL! True!

[@Bessmaster2000]

Jeromeo Dagreat, great comment. You got it down dude.

[@gloriacotton8768]

Lord have mercy. Slayed.

[@brianmuratori3206]

R.I.P. Bobby...you're music will live on...this truly rocks!

[@waltrinamullins7411]

THIS is music! Bobby and his music will be sorely missed, forever remembered.

[@jext1234]

Wow, seeing Bobby Caldwell rocking this song to a guitar. Mindblown.

[@LilredRemmy]

Nobu Its one of the things that makes this video amazing.

[@mcbill7352]

He is a multi instrumentalist as well. Amazing guy imo

[@paulinealbert7259]

Agree 100 o/o!!

[@bowlinglegend95]

this is it. i’ve found it. the most positive comment section on KZbin. beautiful video fit with a perfect audience

[@farajo786]

So sad that he passed away. May his,soul rest in peace.

[@kitharrison8799]

Heard the news, Bobby. At home, surrounded by family, no finer way to go. The music lives, and this is probably the coolest video on KZbin.

[@EbonyPope]

Does anybody know what the song snippet is at the very beginning???

[@gladshotvids]

always loved this, now i can hear the "Stevie' in him some..thanks, man for the love

[@sauingenieria4043]

I'm 34, this world is $hit, I wish I was born this era. Nothing matters now. But I will live enough to see my daughters fullfill their life. Then I will go. Inmortalize your energy like Bobby people. F them all. RIP Bobby, thank you for this song.

[@shittylee1]

I'm 33 and agree brother...

[@archiemelkonian]

100% with you

[@mitchsalawine5420]

I was a little kid during this time, but I agree with you 100 percent!

[@EbonyPope]

Does anybody know what the song snippet is at the very beginning???

[@leonardvld9334]

​@@EbonyPope kalimba song Bobby Caldwell

[@billyfernandez4257]

Makes my day with this song everyday.....it's my warmup ..

[@aliencity9309]

soul legend

[@ion2763]

I wish i can teloport here once

[@davidbannister3840]

This. This right here is why KZbin is important. Thanks for posting this. This song is better than anything recorded in the last 10 years.

[@tf2432277]

Yes indeed David happy new year 2023

[@JScarper]

Do you...know everything that's been recorded in the last 10 years? Or do you just have a "music today sucks because my generation was better" kinda thing going on

[@olivyae3057]

@@JScarper Some of the most mind-bending earth-shattering music has been recorded in the last 5 years. People love to romanticize the past

[@foto21]

@@JScarper I know music of all eras. There are good songs in the last ten years, but it's the weight of the garbage that makes people hate modern music so much. Sorry, but it's mostly an atrocity and also sadly dishonest, and slavishly hungry for attention and success. And that's not even covering the horror show of autotune and cricket hi hats and just overall shitbag production and utter lack of melody. It's not just one genre that has this problem either. Country is an abomination in regard to its past as much as hip hop is. (oh, sorry, trap, ZERO difference).

[@MrOliver250]

Try Vulfpeck, you might like it.

[@lo_batt]

RIP TO THE GREATEST

[@NextFantasyRiDe]

Damn, that guitar solo from bobby towards the end is phenomenal.

[@patm5086]

He worked that one lick to a fever pitch

[@kraig7777]

I didn't even know he played guitar until now!

[@brianyatman4802]

@@patm5086 that's what lead singers are entitled to do

[@paulricketts1089]

@@patm5086 ...not unlike Neil Young.........

[@kamikazijok3r]

@@kraig7777 I read he actually played every instrument in the song you heard in the studio could be wrong thou

[@ranierocicconetti894]

I'm young but I really like atmospheres and emotions like this. What amazing and unforgettable artist! I'm apologize if currently my English isn't much fluently. Greetings from Campli, Abruzzo, Italy.

[@viewdemonde]

You did good!💯👏

[@taelermoore5060]

What a time to be alive the 70s must of been.

[@user-gc1lu4lr8o]

LOVE 94FM "Love on the Beach" Concerts Loved them Looked forward to Sundays This one was a treat Great time to be a "Youte"

[@marthacannizzo4791]

Sooo handsome😊 I absolutely loved Bobby Caldwell in high school’79 RIP Bobby God bless thanks for great music🎶☝🏼🙏

[@ianmackenzie8584]

Rest peacefully Bobby Caldwell.

[@radar7575]

Just a perfect song. Rest in peace…

[@user-hy8uu4ii2r]

都会風もいいけど、やっぱりこの映像が大好き！ファーストライヴだったんですね。ちょっと涙が止まりません。ご冥福をお祈りします。ありがとう🥲♥️

[@electriceyeslide5959]

I'm so bummed that he passed. I wrote him a letter and his wife responded and corresponded with me. She said an Anti-biotic really messed him up and he couldn't recover. He was just really gifted. RIP BOBBY ❤🙏

[@waaggie1]

I grew up on this man.Sundays mum cooking and cleaning the house with this as the soundtrack.

[@julie0rtiz]

this song will never fail to make me feel some type of way

[@stevenj6387]

Classics have that type of affect on us don’t they?

[@patriciacarpenter4129]

YES!🙋‍♀️❤

[@goingnuclear7265]

Can it affect us both

[@happymynor]

Always and forever

[@WalkRobotFilm]

I knew that guy. My dad was friends with him and most of the people that used to record the wailers. I remember them all cooking fish all the time. Bobby would always be at the grill. I was really young but looking back the 80s were great. I loved being in that studio watching those bands wail!

[@jratsmash8627]

holy crap. who was ur dad???

[@WalkRobotFilm]

@@jratsmash8627 just a regular dude from down the street. Our hardware store has been down the street from konduko records for over 40 years. I grew up in that neighborhood. They recorded in a house that was set up as a studio. Great place although it was full of drugs. Lol

[@cjordan1161]

ADORE him.

[@tombsower6926]

So many talented songwriters at that time. I don't understand why modern generations didn't produce any

[@odracircomix7359]

TIMELESS LEGEND

[@MasterofBlackJack]

I pray someday we will be able to all share a world like was captured in this video.

[@seacamtv]

Amen brother!

[@chicoenglishsr.4977]

I wish too bro 😎

[@intel2133]

@@seacamtv are you American ?

[@123blastoffful]

A world where we enjoy each other’s presence and talents!

[@deacon8754]

My prayer

[@franzmovi]

He had some future as a southern rock musician. Fortunately he picked R&B. Rest in peace Bobby Caldwell...

[@neshellmyers997]

I will always remember you 🙏❤️

[@TMGaming]

Truly devastated by his passing, he's the man that brought soul back in my life. This song always gives me goosebumps, his voice just goes around and hugs you with comfort as the lyrics become a blanket for your soul... Rest In Peace Bobby you'll be greatly missed

[@1-eight]

Is the ‘Dead at 71’ an edit?

[@TMGaming]

@@1-eight Yeah obviously

[@vendellawatkins9458]

I thought it was a Black person ...in all these years l sure thought it was a possibility Earth wind and fire song really. I'm 63.

[@EbonyPope]

Does anybody know what the song snippet is at the very beginning???

[@viewdemonde]

💯❤️👏

[@Capt620]

Thanks for all the great memories Bobby.

[@nicholeely914]

RIP Bobby Caldwell, soul brother💌

[@davebennett4087]

This was a FREE concert put on by radio station LOVE94, held on the beach at 81st St. Those of us that were there will tell you that it was a picture perfect day. Everybody was grooving. Nobody fighting. Miami Beach was a paradise in those days, now it’s just a beautiful toilet filled with human turds RIP Bobby and RIP Miami Beach.

[@koalastore236]

Those nice crunchy guitar sound seems so immortal..

[@mickbitz]

I'm so sad that Bobby is in decline. We may not see his talent on stage ever again. What a loss. Bless you Bobby my friend.

[@lmitchell3604]

Unfortunately, you were correct 😭

[@patm5086]

You knew bobby it seems mick

[@patm5086]

I heard he was not doing well also but only after learning of his death

[@mickbitz]

He hasn't been well for some time. It's unfortunate too because it's because of something that was done to him. I was real fortunate to be at his last concert and see first hand. COVID stopped his tour but the progressing illness seems to be the reason he was unable to restart. He will truly be missed.

[@seakelp27]

Damn floxed by the antibiotic. Who are the idiots that allow this stuff?

[@webbgems67]

Had no idea he played guitar 🎸 go Bobby you da man

[@andrewd.conard5088]

Such an awesome discovery to hear this version

[@patcom1013]

Wow, what a voice, so natural.

[@Cablecol]

Please replace "dead" with "passes" or "dies". Shows respect.

[@MelMarieDavis]

💔 wish I could’ve got to see him live

[@gertrudebuck590]

I loved being in love with listening to this song! Oh! What a Beautiful Love Listening To This Song!! 🎵 I Was Older in my life too. Which really made us both appreciate it even the more!!