In Memoriam : Ronnie Wilson, founding member of The Gap Band, dies at 73

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Ronnie Wilson, founding member of R&B group The Gap Band, has died, his wife confirmed on Facebook. He was 73.

“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,” Linda Boulware-Wilson 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!!!”

TMZ reports that Wilson died at his home in the band’s native Tulsa, Oklahoma, a week after suffering a stroke that he never regained consciousness from.

Ronnie Wilson and The Gap Band

Wilson formed The Gap Band in 1967 along with his brothers Charlie and Robert, according to the band’s website. Ronnie Wilson was the oldest.

The group was originally named The Greenwood Archer Pine Street Band, after streets of their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was targeted by a White mob during the 1921 Tulsa race massacre.

They later abbreviated the name to The G.A.P. Band and finally settled with The Gap Band.

The group rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s opening for acts such as The Rolling Stones, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell . Their hit songs included “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” “Party Train” and “Burn Rubber on Me.”

Another famous song, “Outstanding,” has been sampled by more than 150 artists, according to the band’s website.

Unheard Voices sends our condolences and prayers to Ronnie Wilson’s family.