Respected American session singer Babi Floyd has passed away after a battle with cancer.
Babi sang backing vocals on Billy Joel’s ‘52nd Street’ and ‘An Innocent Man’ albums, Warren Zevon’s ‘Life’ll Kill Ya’, The Commitments soundtrack, albums by Spin Doctors, George Benson, Neville Brothers, The Fabulous Thunderbirds and Bette Midler as well as Keith Richards ‘Main Offender’ solo album.
Babi’s last performance was at the 12th Annual Jazz Foundation Gala at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem on May 17, 2013. Babi performed the song ‘All Alone’, co-written with Charlie Drayton.
Introducing the song Babi said, “It’s about knowing that the world doesn’t owe you anything. You have to get out and earn it. Quincy Jones, “Q” labeled me, back in the day, as one of the New York Super Singers, because we could sing anything, any style, anytime, as long as you had…the check!
“That said, without the acknowledgment and support from your peers, your comrades, your loved ones, there’s no vehicle by which you can get your contribution out there, for all to do with, what they will.
“So I am so glad to have had a hand in giving back the love I have received. And I hope I was able to give half as much as you have given me.
“My final thought..is just this, people, let’s just keep loving each other. That’s the only message that counts. Life is entirely too short, and you never know, when the head bartender is gonna say, “You don’t have to go home..but you can’t stay here”
“So, live love and I thank you again, from the depths of my soul”
Watch the final performance of Babi here:
Babi with Keith Richards – Hate It When You Leave
