Brenton Wood, the soulful singer behind timeless hits like “Gimme Little Sign” and “The Oogum Boogum Song,” has passed away at the age of 83. His managers, Isabel and Manny Gallegos, confirmed the news, stating that Wood died peacefully in his sleep at his California home.
Born Alfred Smith on July 26, 1941, in Shreveport, Louisiana, Brenton Wood’s musical journey began in San Pedro, California. He started singing and playing piano as a child, and although his early career with record labels like Brent Records and Wand Records didn’t lead to immediate success, his big break came when he signed with Double Shot Records in Hollywood.
Wood’s early hit, “The Oogum Boogum Song,” became a regional sensation in Los Angeles and gained national attention during the Summer of Love in 1967. His performance on American Bandstand helped propel the song’s popularity, and it marked the beginning of his rise in the music world.
However, Wood’s most iconic moment came with the release of “Gimme Little Sign,” a soulful anthem with its unforgettable chorus, “Just gimme some kind of sign, girl.” The song reached No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became a hit overseas, reaching No. 8 in the UK after Wood performed it on Top of the Pops. The track remains one of the defining songs of the 1960s soul era.
Despite these successes, Wood’s career slowed after the late 1960s. He had a few more hits, such as “Baby You Got It” and “Lovey Dovey Kinda Lovin’,” but none of them reached the same level of commercial success. His 1967 album Oogum Boogum briefly made it onto the Billboard charts, peaking at No. 187.
Wood continued to release music through the 1970s, with tracks like “Some Got It, Some Don’t” and his final charting single, “Come Softly to Me,” in 1978. He also made an appearance in the 1969 film Popdown.
Brenton Wood’s legacy in soul music is undeniable. His distinct falsetto and catchy melodies resonated with audiences across generations, and while his chart-topping days may have been behind him, his influence has left a lasting mark. Details about his survivors and memorial arrangements are still pending, but his music will continue to live on, celebrated by fans worldwide.