‘The Oogum Bogum Song’ singer Brenton Wood dead at 83

Posted On January 4, 2025January 4, 2025

Brenton Wood, the soul singer best known for the 1967 hit track ‘The Oogum Bogum Song,’ has died at the age of 83.

Wood’s manager and assistant, Manny Gallegos, confirmed his death to Variety. Gallegos stated that the singer died surrounded by his family at his home in Moreno Valley, California, from natural causes. He also stated that his final words were “Catch you on the rebound,” which is the title of one of his most popular songs.

Wood, whose real name was Jesse Alfred Smith, was born in Louisiana in 1941 but moved to California as a child, where he established himself as an artist. His debut single, 1967’s ‘The Oogum Bogum Song,’ was a success, and it has since enjoyed a renaissance following its use in movies such as Don’t Worry Darling, The Gray Man, and Almost Famous.

The late star’s biggest hit, ‘Gimme Little Sign,’ charted at nine in the United States and eight in the United Kingdom, selling over a million copies worldwide.

Towards the end of the 1960s, the hits began to dry up for Wood. However, in 1972, he launched Prophesy Records, and also later released music through his independent company, Mr Wood Records, for many decades.

Wood’s final tour commenced in 2024, which was named after his song ‘Catch You on the Rebound’. However, the run of dates was brought to an early end after Wood was hospitalised.

During an interview with Classic Bands in 2004, Wood reflected on his career and explained how the monumental success of ‘Gimme Little Sign’ allowed him to pursue music full-time. He explained, “A drastic change. I went from working in the steel mill to out on the road, not getting any sleep, not getting any rest…nervous, working every night…trying to get from one interview to the next interview.”

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