Ronnie Wilson, founding member of the legendary group The Gap Band, has died at the age of 73.
The news of his passing was announced via a Facebook post shared by his wife, Linda Boulware-Wilson.
“The love of my life was called home this morning, at 10:01am. Please continue to pray for The Wilson, Boulware, and Collins family, while we mourn his passing,” she wrote.
“Ronnie Wilson was a genius with creating, producing, and playing the flugelhorn, Trumpet, keyboards, and singing music, from childhood to his early seventies. He will be truly missed!!!”
Tulsa native, Williams, formed The Gap Band with his brothers Charlie and Robert. The group was originally called The Greenwood Archer Pine Street Band, a tribute to three streets targeted by a white mob during the Tulsa race massacre of 1921. The name was then abbreviated to The G.A.P. Band. The periods were dropped.
The Gap Band released their first album, “Magicians Holiday,” in 1974, but some of their biggest hits, including “Burn Rubber on Me,” “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” and “Outstanding,” were released in the 80s.
The band’s legacy has been felt in today’s music. Their music has been sampled in Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk,” N.W.A.’s “Straight Outta Compton,” Tyler, the Creator’s “911 / Mr. Lonely,” Nas’ “Life’s a Bitch.” Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy and Mary J. Blige (and many more) have also sampled the band’s hits.
