Charles Edward McCormick

May 8, 1946 - April 12, 2022 Charles Edward McCormick, founding member, bassist, and lead singer of the musical group Bloodstone, passed away on April 12, 2022, after a lengthy illness, in Los Angeles.

Charles was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on May 8, 1946. In 1962, while still in high school, Charles helped form a singing group called the Sinceres. When the members moved to Los Angeles, they changed the band's name to Bloodstone. It was while performing in England that the group signed a recording contract with Decca Records.

Charles wrote the group's biggest hit, 'Natural High', which made it to the top ten of Billboard's Pop and R&B charts in 1973 in the U.S., and was a hit in Europe and the UK as well. The album Natural High sold over a million copies, earning the group a gold record. The group subsequently recorded a number of other hits, including 'Never Let You Go', 'Outside Woman', 'My Little Lady', and 'We Go a Long Way Back'. In its heyday, Bloodstone was known for its funk and soul sound, and its ability to blend rock music with doo-wop, pop and gospel. In 2019, Bloodstone was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National R&B Music Society. Through the years, Charles performed with other Bloodstone members, most recently with Harry Williams and Donald Brown.

Charles McCormick is survived by his children Marland McCormick, Camille McCormick, Rosalind Preston Robinson, Christopher McCormick, Tamora Reddick, So' Fine Garratt, and son-in-law Rev. Jock Lewis; his grandchildren Jacquille Lewis (Skyler), Roderick Lewis, Cayla Lewis, Denise Garratt, Deron Robinson (Era'me), Nakiesha Robinson, Donte Batiste, Darrell Smith, and Tamiah Gladden; and his great-grandchildren Emory Robinson, Donte Batiste Jr., Derion Batiste, Dakari Batiste, Daphney Batiste, Damari Smith, and Sa'Nih Smith. He is also survived by his brother Rev. Thomas McCormick, his sister Laura Mitchell, and his sister Dorothy Boyd, who sadly passed on May 2. Charles was also the youngest brother of well-known Los Angeles newsman and disc jockey, Larry McCormick, who died in 2004. Charles's passing marked a year, almost to the day, of the passing of his beloved wife Marian.

As long-time L.A. radio personality Roland Bynum recalled recently on his KJLH program, Charles's send off to one and all was always the same: "I love you and there's nothing you can do about it!" He will be missed and remembered for his musical talent, his devotion to his faith and his family and engagement with his community, and for his kind and gentle spirit.