Robert Wilson, the bass player for the R&B funk group The Gap Band, has died of a heart attack. He was 53. Wilson was such a musical phenomenon that he became known as the "Godfather of Bass Guitar". He is survived by his brothers Charlie and Ronnie, who are now the remaining members of the band.
Born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the brother's Wilson named themselves after three neighborhood streets-Greenwood, Archer, and Pine-to form their namesake, The Gap Band. After singing backup for Leon Russell in the mid '70's, The Gap Band released their self titled debut album in 1977. Several successful singles followed in the late '70's through to the early '90's. Here's a highlight of some The Gap Band's biggest hits:
"Shake" (1979 #4 U.S. R&B)
"Steppin' Out (1979 #10 U.S. R&B)
"I Don't Believe...(Oops, Up Side Your Head)"
(1980 #4 U.S. R&B)
(1980 #4 U.S. R&B)
"Burn Rubber On Me" (1980 #1 U.S. R&B, #84 Pop)
"Early In The Morning" (1982 #1 U.S. R&B, #24 Pop)
"You Dropped A Bomb On Me" (1982 #2 U.S. R&B, #31 Pop)
"Party Train" (1983 #3 U.S. R&B)
"Beep A Freak" (1984 #2 U.S. R&B)
"All Of My Love (1989 #1 U.S. R&B)
"Addicted To Your Love" (1990 #8 U.S. R&B)
Source Billboard Magazine.
Source Billboard Magazine.
"You Dropped A Bomb On Me"
"Early In The Morning"
You can find The Gap Band's catalog of music
available @ iTunes.
available @ iTunes.
