Bobby Caldwell, R&B crooner known for his 1978 hit 'What You Won't Do For Love,' dies at 71

Bobby Caldwell, the soulful R&B crooner known for his 1978 hit "What You Won't Do For Love," died after a long health battle, his wife confirmed. He was 71.

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"Bobby passed away here at home," Mary Caldwell wrote on the singer's verified Twitter account Wednesday morning. "I held him tight in my arms as he left us. Thanks to all of you for your many prayers over the years."

She continued, saying the singer had been "floxed," and that "it took his health" for more than six years.

Floxing is a term to describe when a person's body sustains mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress after taking the antibiotic fluoroquinolone.

His music was frequently sampled in the songs of hip-hop artists, including Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G. and Common.

Born in New York and raised in Miami, Caldwell got his professional break playing guitar in Little Richard's band in the early 1970s, eventually going solo.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.