Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band (center) with Charlie Wilson (left) and Robert Wilson (right), 1980. Photo by Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images.
Ronnie Wilson, co-founder and longtime member of the iconic Tulsa funk group The Gap Band, died Tuesday morning. He was 73.
Wilson founded The Gap Band in 1974 with his two younger brothers, Charlie and Robert. Named after three streets—Greenwood, Archer and Pine—in the neighborhood where the Tulsa race massacre transpired, the group rose to popularity later that decade, and remained staples of American funk through the '80s and well into the '90s. They disbanded in 2010. Robert, the youngest of the three, passed away shortly thereafter at 53.
Ronnie Wilson was essential to The Gap Band as an arranger, producer, instrumentalist and backing vocalist. His compositional talent facilitated some of the groups biggest hits, including "You Dropped a Bomb on Me," "Burn Rubber on Me," "Yearning For Your Love," and "Outstanding," which has been sampled by Madonna, Tina Turner, Usher, George Michael, and more than 150 other artists, according to the band's website.
Wilson is survived by The Gap Band's middle brother and lead singer, Charlie. He also leaves behind his wife, Linda Boulware-Wilson, who announced his death in a Facebook post Tuesday evening.
"The love of my life was called home this morning, at 10:01am," she wrote. "Please continue to pray for The Wilson, Boulware, and Collins family, while we mourn his passing.
"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!!!"
