Died On This Date (August 15, 2010) Robert Wilson / Bassist For The Gap Band

Robert Wilson
DOB Unknown – August 15, 2010

Known as the “Godfather Of The Bass Guitar,” Robert Wilson was the founding bassist for influential funk group, the Gap Band.  Formed in 1967 by brothers Robert Wilson, Charlie Wilson, and Ronnie Wilson, the Gap Band went on to have several R&B hits throughout the ’70s and ’80s and helped define what we now call funk.  Their hits include  “You Dropped A Bomb On Me,” “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me),” and “Early In The Morning.”  In recent years, their music could be heard as samples in songs by the likes of Nas, Snoop Dog, Notorious B.I.G., and Mary J. Blige.  Robert Wilson, age 53, died of a massive heart attack on August 15, 2010.

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Gap Band

Died On This Date (May 17, 1996) Johnny “Guitar” Watson / Legendary Electric Guitarist

Johnny “Guitar” Watson
February 3, 1935 – May 17, 1996

Johnny “Guitar” Watson was a dynamic electric guitarist whose profound influence can be heard in blues, rock, soul, R&B, funk and hip-hop. Given his first guitar at eleven, Watson would soon be called a “prodigy” and would be exchanging licks with Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown and Albert Collins. And this all before he turned 15. By his late teens, he was living in Los Angeles and making a name for himself throughout the Southern California juke joints. The crowds quickly grew as music lovers gathered to catch a glimpse of this fancy dresser with the showy aggressive style of guitar playing. And apparently that guitar playing wasn’t his only source of income, respected author Peter Guralnick has claimed that Watson was an actual pimp. Watson’s influence can readily be heard throughout the hip-hop community through samples on tracks by the likes of Snoop Dogg, Redman, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Jay-Z, and Mary J. Blige. Watson suffered a fatal heart attack on May 17, 1996 while on stage in Japan.

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Died On This Date (April 21, 2003) Nina Simone / Iconic Jazz Singer

Nina Simone
February 21, 1933 – April 21, 2003

Nina Simone was a vocalist whose style defied categorization. She might have been a jazz singer to one, but another would call her soul. To another, gospel, and yet to another, R&B. but above all, she was just great, having been nominated for a Grammy 15 times. With over 40 studio and live albums to her credit, and as a civil rights activist, she made an indelible contribution to African-American culture. Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys have all cited her as a major influence. Simone passed away in her home on April 21, 2003 after a long illness.

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Nina Simone