The Gap Band’s Ronnie Wilson dead at 73, reports say
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By Michelle Ewing, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
TULSA, Okla. — Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band has died, multiple news outlets are reporting. He was 73.
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)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 1979: American R&B and funk group The Gap Band performing on "Soul Train" in 1979. The group included family members and brothers Charlie, Ronnie and Robert Wilson. (Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years Circa 1980: Ronnie Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Robert Wilson of the funk group The Gap Band perform on American Bandstand in Los Angeles, circa 1980. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years Circa 1980: Charlie Wilson, Ronnie Wilson and Robert Wilson of the funk group The Gap Band pose for a portrait, circa 1980. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 1980: Ronnie Wilson and Charlie Wilson of funk group The Gap Band performs onstage for a TV show on Sept. 4, 1980, in Los Angeles. (Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 1982: American singer Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band holds the arm of American professional boxer Thomas "The Hitman" Hearns as Robert Wilson looks on during a concert on Sept. 29, 1982, at the Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Ross Marino/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 1983: Singers and musicians Ronnie, Charlie and Robert Wilson of The Gap Band prepare to take a bow after their performance at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago in January 1983. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 1983: Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson of the funk group The Gap Band pose for a portrait on January 28, 1983, in France. (David Corio/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 1985: Singers and musicians Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson from The Gap Band pose for photos backstage at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago in January 1985. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 2005: Del R. Bryant, president/CEO of BMI (second from right), poses with Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson of The Gap Band at the 2005 BMI Urban Music Awards on Aug. 26, 2005. (Rick Diamond/WireImage for BMI)
Photos: The Gap Band's Ronnie Wilson through the years 2005: Ronnie Wilson, Charlie Wilson and Robert Wilson of The Gap Band at the 2005 BMI Urban Music Awards on Aug. 26, 2005. (Rick Diamond/WireImage for BMI)
“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.”