Post by 1finemrg on Nov 4, 2021 5:21:20 GMT -5
Complications from a stroke took the life of Ronnie Wilson on November 2. He was 73.
Ronnie was one-third of the Wilson brothers who co-founded the GAP Band. Named in remembrance of the race massacre in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the name was an acronym of three streets (Greenwood, Archer, Pine) that ran through the Greenwood District where the brothers were raised.
Ronnie manned multiple keyboard and brass instruments for the band. He also provided vocals and songwriting.
Their first break was backing Leon Russell in the mid-70s, The GAP Band would only reach the Top 40 twice. "Early In The Morning" would peak at #24 and "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" reached #31.
Their R & B chart history was prolific. Four of their singles reached the top and three others peaked at #2. They would have 15 Top 10 R & B singles between 1979 and 1990.
The Gap Band's music has been sampled and/or covered extensively by multiple R&B and hip hop artists. Dave Grohl credits the Gap Band as inspiration for the drum intro to "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Ronnie was preceded in death by his brother Robert who died of a heart attack in 2010. Lead singer Charlie is the surviving Wilson brother.
Obituary
Biography
Ronnie was one-third of the Wilson brothers who co-founded the GAP Band. Named in remembrance of the race massacre in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, the name was an acronym of three streets (Greenwood, Archer, Pine) that ran through the Greenwood District where the brothers were raised.
Ronnie manned multiple keyboard and brass instruments for the band. He also provided vocals and songwriting.
Their first break was backing Leon Russell in the mid-70s, The GAP Band would only reach the Top 40 twice. "Early In The Morning" would peak at #24 and "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" reached #31.
Their R & B chart history was prolific. Four of their singles reached the top and three others peaked at #2. They would have 15 Top 10 R & B singles between 1979 and 1990.
The Gap Band's music has been sampled and/or covered extensively by multiple R&B and hip hop artists. Dave Grohl credits the Gap Band as inspiration for the drum intro to "Smells Like Teen Spirit"
Ronnie was preceded in death by his brother Robert who died of a heart attack in 2010. Lead singer Charlie is the surviving Wilson brother.
Obituary
Biography