Soul singer Angela Bofill dies at 70
In the 1980s American soul singer Angela Bofill was a favourite among local music enthusiasts, thanks to consistent airplay of her songs on JBC FM’s Float On and RJR 94 FM.
Bofill, known for songs such as Tonight I Give In (Somebody Walked into My Life), Still in Love, Angel of the Night, I Try, Too Tough, I’m on Your Side, and a cover of This Time I’ll be Sweeter, passed away on June 13 in California.
Her daughter Shauna was by her side when she transitioned.
Bofill’s death was confirmed by her Manager Rich Engel in a post on his and Bofill’s Facebook pages on Friday.
The post read: “On behalf of my dear friend, Angie, I am saddened to announce her passing on the morning of June 13,” adding that her funeral will be held at St Dominick’s Church in California on June 28 at 1:00 pm.
A second update added, “Just to clear up the confusion. On behalf of Shauna Bofill, husband Chris Portuguese, we are saddened but must report that the passing of Angela yesterday is indeed true. We thank Melba Moore and Maysa for their early condolences. Thanks for your many post.”
Several times through the years, after she suffered two strokes, rumours that Bofill had died permeated social media.
Bofill, who started her professional career during her teenage years, was a protégé of American producer and record label executive Clive Davis, who signed her to the fledgling GRP label, which was distributed by Arista Records.
She also released albums on Capitol, Jive and Shanchie Records.
Her first chart hit was a cover of This Time I’ll Be Sweeter, which rose to #23 on the Billboard R&B/Soul chart in 1978. The song was written by Gwen Guthrie, but first recorded by singer Marlena Shaw in 1974.
Bofill charted 14 entries on the Billboard R&B chart throughout her career, with her last being 1992’s Love Was Never featuring Marion Meadows and Gene Rice, which topped out at #70.
Her discography includes 10 studio albums, a live album Live from Manila (2006), and the hits collection The Essential Angela Bofill, released in 2014 via RCA/Sony Legacy.
Bofill performed in Jamaica at the Air Jamaica Jazz and Blues festival in 1999, when the event was held at James Bond Beach in St Mary.
She suffered a stroke in 2006 and was paralysed on her left side and required speech and physical therapy. A benefit concert was organised to pay her hospital bills. A second stroke in July 2007 left her with both speech and mobility impaired.
Bofill, who was of Cuban and Puerto Rican heritage, was born in New York. She is regarded as one of the first Latin singers to find success in the R&B and jazz markets.
