Ronnie Wilson, the founder of the funk and R&B group The Gap Band, has died. Reports indicate the singer-songwriter and instrumentalist suffered a stroke. He was 73.
Wilson’s passing was announced by his wife, Linda Boulware-Wilson, on social media.
“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 said. “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!!!”
Ronnie and his brothers Robert and Charlie founded The Gap Band in Tulsa, OK in 1967. The group’s name is an acronym for the major streets in Tulsa’s Black neighborhood where they grew up: Greenwood, Archer and Pine.
The group released 30 albums in the 70s, 80s and 90s. The Gap Band’s chart-topping singles include, “You Dropped A Bomb on Me,” “Outstanding” and “All of My Love.”