The Gap Band’s Ronnie Wilson dead at 73, reports say
TULSA, Okla. – Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band has died, multiple news outlets are reporting. He was 73.
Here are some memorable photos of The Gap Band’s Ronnie Wilson through the years.
1979: American R&B and funk group The Gap Band performing on "Soul Train" in 1979. The group included family members and brothers Charlie, Ronnie and Robert Wilson.
Circa 1980: Ronnie Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Robert Wilson of the funk group The Gap Band perform on American Bandstand in Los Angeles, circa 1980.
Circa 1980: Charlie Wilson, Ronnie Wilson and Robert Wilson of the funk group The Gap Band pose for a portrait, circa 1980.
1980: Ronnie Wilson and Charlie Wilson of funk group The Gap Band performs onstage for a TV show on Sept. 4, 1980, in Los Angeles.
1982: American singer Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band holds the arm of American professional boxer Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns as Robert Wilson looks on during a concert on Sept. 29, 1982, at the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
1983: Singers and musicians Ronnie, Charlie and Robert Wilson of The Gap Band prepare to take a bow after their performance at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago in January 1983.
1983: Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson of the funk group The Gap Band pose for a portrait on January 28, 1983, in France.
1985: Singers and musicians Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson from The Gap Band pose for photos backstage at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago in January 1985.
2005: Del R. Bryant, president/CEO of BMI (second from right), poses with Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band at the 2005 BMI Urban Music Awards on Aug. 26, 2005.
2005: Ronnie Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Robert Wilson of The Gap Band at the 2005 BMI Urban Music Awards on Aug. 26, 2005.
According to CNN, Wilson’s wife, Linda Boulware-Wilson, wrote on social media that the funk and R&B musician died shortly after 10 a.m. Tuesday.
“Ronnie Wilson was a genius with creating, producing and playing the flugelhorn, trumpet, keyboards and singing music, from childhood to his early seventies,” the post read. “He will be truly missed!!!”
Entertainment outlet TMZ was the first to report the news.
The Oklahoma native and his brothers, Charlie and Robert Wilson, founded the iconic band that became known for hits such as “You Dropped a Bomb on Me” (1982) and “Party Train” (1983), according to the group’s official website.
“The sons of a Pentecostal minister, the Wilson brothers started performing in 1967 when they formed a group along with Tuck Andress of Tuck and Patti Fame,” the website says. “The GAP Band, named after the Black business hub of their native Tulsa, Oklahoma (Greenwood, Archer, Pine streets), became the band of choice for visiting musicians.”
Wilson’s brother, Robert, died in 2010, Billboard previously reported.
