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.

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Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years Here are some memorable photos of The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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.

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“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.

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