Ronnie Wilson, one-third of a trio of siblings that made up gap band, has died. He was 73 years old.
Gap Band manager Michael Paran confirmed Wilson’s death to USA Today on Wednesday. His death was shared for the first time Facebook Wilson’s wife, who remembered the musician as a “genius”.
“The love of my life was called home this morning,” Written by Linda Boulware-Wilson Tuesday. “Ronnie Wilson was a genius with creating, creating, and playing flugelhorn, trumpet, keyboard, and vocal music from childhood through his early seventies. He will be truly missed!!!”
Wilson and his two brothers Charlie and Robert formed The Gap Band in the late 60s and produced many rhythmic and instrumental hits in the 70s and 80s such as “Arrears,” “You Bombed Me” and “Oops Upside Your Head.”
Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the siblings grew up singing in their father’s church. Years later he formed the group and named it after three streets that had destroyed historically black neighborhoods. Tulsa Massacre: Greenwood, Archer and Pine.
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Together, Wilson and his brother Completed several studio albums. According to the band’s website, four of their nine projects went platinum. In 2005, he was awarded a BMI Icon Award, An award given to songwriters for their “lasting impact on generations of music makers”.
The Gap Band was released in 1983 as “Where Are We Going?” Nominated for Best R&B Instrumental Performance. Many of his songs, including “Excellent”, were used frequently. samples on hip-hop tracks Decades later, including songs from the NWA and NAS. Most notably, The Gap Band was credited as co-writers for the Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson hit, “Uptown Funk”, due to its similarity to “I Don’t Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (oops).” Due after the legal claim. !)”
The band continued to make music together for 43 years, until the youngest brother and bassist Robert died in 2010 at the age of 53. Lead vocalist Charlie Wilson, 68, is the last surviving member of The Gap Band.
Contribution: Sydney Henderson
