Musical News - Ronnie Wilson (The Gao Band)

Ronnie Wilson, former member of the Gap Band, has died on November 1, 2021 at the approximate age of 73, following a long illness.

The Gap Band, consisting of brothers Robert, Ronnie, and Charlie Wilson, was formed in the early 1970s in their hometown of Tulsa, OK. The band was named for the three streets Greenwood, Archer and Pine, in commemoration of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. Like many great artists, the brothers got their start in church, at very young ages.

Throughout the 1980s, the Gap Band became one of our favorite groups, putting out such hits as “I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops!)” (1979), “Yearning for Your Love” and “Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)” (1980), and “Early in the Morning” and “Outstanding” (1982). We always considered the Gap Band our traveling music, playing them loudly when approaching home from long road trips.

Ronnie’s roles in the band included vocals, trumpet, flugelhorn, piano, synthesizer, percussion, and songwriter.

Many of the Gap Band's hits have been sampled by artists such as Tyler, the Creator, Ashanti, Blackstreet, Mary J. Blige, Da Brat, Ice Cube, Jermaine Dupri, and Vesta.

Following the death of Robert in 2010, brothers Ronnie and Charlie had a public dispute over use of the band’s name.

Ronnie Wilson

(1948 – November 1, 2021)

© 11/02/2021

Musical News - William Shelby (Dynasty & Lakeside)

William Shelby, co-founder of the Los Angeles based 1970s and 1980s group Dynasty and a member of Dayton, OH based Lakeside has passed away on October 27, 2021 at the age of 65.

Shelby was a lead vocalist, keyboardist, and songwriter with Dynasty, co-writing “I’ve Just Begun to Love You” (1980), among other songs. He also wrote for Shalamar, the Whispers, and the Sylvers.

After leaving Dynasty, Shelby joined his brother Thomas as a vocalist in super funk group Lakeside.

Shelby’s name was not well known to the general public, but his influence on the world of funk was impactful.

William Shelby

(September 30, 1956 – October 27, 2021)

© 11/02/2021