Spinner

The Gap Band's Robert Wilson Passes Away at Age 53

Redferns / Getty Images

Robert Wilson, who played bass alongside two of his brothers in the funky R&B group the Gap Band, passed away on Sunday, at the age of 53. The Gap Band's publicist told the Associated Press that it is believed Wilson suffered a heart attack, at his home in a suburb of Los Angeles.

Robert Wilson began playing music with his brothers Ronnie and Charlie at the age of 14, after the bassist in their band quit. They adopted the group name Greenwood, Archer and Pine Streets Band before shortening that lengthy title to the Gap Band by 1973. Original member Tuck Andress quit and found fame with Tuck and Patti, while the Gap Band's own chart success began in the late-'70s with their singles 'I'm in Love' and 'Shake.' In 1980, they logged their first No. 1 hit with 'Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me).'

The band continued to do well in the early-'80s with a style of R&B and funk reminiscent of Parliament-Funkadelic and, in fact, one of the former members of Brides of Funkenstein (a P-Funk offshoot) joined the touring version of the Gap Band. When the band's success in America finally began to wane towards the end of the 1980s, they continued to connect with audiences in Europe.

All told, the Gap Band has four platinum albums and 15 Top Ten hits -- including four that made it all the way to the top. In 2004, one of their signature tracks, 'You Dropped a Bomb on Me,' was featured in the video game 'Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' -- like many of their other hits, it's also been sampled by countless other artists during the last two decades.

Suffice it to say, Wilson will be missed not only by those that knew him personally, but also by a legion of fans. Those fans include an entire group of today's famous musicians, who remain influenced by Wilson's work in the Gap Band.

Watch Robert Wilson Perform 'Burn Rubber on Me' With the Gap Band

All the The Gap Band info you want to know

Charlie Wilson: 'I Loved Cocaine,' New…

The Boombox

Jason Merritt, Getty Images With a career spanning well over four decades,…

Kurt Ellenberger: The Muse That Roars

The Huffington Post - Music

We live in an aggressively visual age; images dominate the popular culture.

Greg Allman Engaged to Woman 40 Years…

The Boot

Music icon Greg Allman is engaged to a 24-year-old woman , who will be his seventh…

See all The Gap Band »

Add a Comment

Sign in »
*0 / 3000 Character Maximum

19 Comments

Filter by:
LEE SCOTT

Thank you Ronnie.Rest In Peace big guy.HEAVEN NEEDS A BASS PLAYER.Heaven has the right one.Bless you Wilson family

November 30 2010 at 6:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
T

Rest in Peace Bobby. To bad somebody Dropped a Bomb on You

September 17 2010 at 7:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
L. Hill

Thanks for sharing your gift with the world. God's band just keeps getting bigger and better. We will see you soon when we cross the river jordan. Joy comes in the morning.

August 19 2010 at 11:42 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ercilia Gonzales Damey

It's a very sad day, I listen to their music on my ipod.
They're a great band to this day, their music brings back many good times in Hawaii. My condolencses go to his family and may he rest in peace.

August 17 2010 at 9:23 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
mseanmurph

garnett,admiral and peoria...

August 17 2010 at 7:31 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Jayy

My heart feels heavy after learning of another loss of life and talent. I grew up listening to the gap band and i remember dancing to their music in the clubs in DC. I have them on my ipod as well. What a sad day for music. I wish the best for the family and friends. Goodbye Robert. =(

August 17 2010 at 7:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lhyde

Subic City D'Hodge club 1981...Gap band...such memories!

August 17 2010 at 7:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
RYAN

Man,that stinks,I loved that band.We'd have a dance after the football games on friday nights and The Gab Band got played all the time......RIP man.

August 17 2010 at 7:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
pecanchi

R.I.P. You will never be forgotten. The 70's and 80's was wonderful partying off of Gap Band's music. God loves you.

August 17 2010 at 7:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
fremy

children learn from your elders................................
this is so real.
no digital,samplers,pro tools, ( the DEATH of REAL music )
Just guys playing, traveling,trying to get paid,laid,and go home. God bless james brown ,and les paul.

a golden generation. Chris, please pay attention............. your a good man i gave you a good dose of reality on " this Christmas".....remember?
It's your turn.....REPRESENT!!!!! HONOR. NO RACE,ONE PEOPLE.

all love.
i'm white, 54 yrs in music. Engineers listen to the honesty....................

My black brothers......don't let the man destroy your voice with " rap". Total BS

Go to south/central/north/ africa. get a clue.....please!!!!!!!!!!...........in the name of ower great departed brother.
All love.No color.

August 17 2010 at 6:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply