The GAP Band Founder Ronnie Wilson Dead at 73

By Maximillian Boudreaux Published: November 3, 2021

The GAP Band Founder Ronnie Wilson Dead at 73

FILE - Members of The GAP Band, brothers Robert Wilson, from left, Charlie Wilson and Ronnie Wilson pose for photographers appear at the 2005 BMI Urban Music Awards in Miami Beach, Fla., on Aug. 26, 2005. Ronnie Wilson, multi-instrumentalist and founder of the funk group, has died. He was 73. His wife posted on Facebook that her husband died on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File)

In Summary

The GAP Band was formed in the '70s by Wilson and two of his brothers and its name derives from streets in Tulsa: Greenwood, Archer and Pine.

Ronnie Wilson, a founding member of The GAP Band and brother of R&B crooner Charlie Wilson, died Tuesday. He was 73, CNN reported.

His death was confirmed by his wife Linda Boulware-Wilson.

“The love of my life was called home this morning, at 10:01am. Please continue to pray for The Wilson, Boulware, and Collins family, while we mourn his passing,” she wrote on Facebook.

She added, “Ronnie Wilson was a genius with creating, producing, and playing the flugelhorn, Trumpet, keyboards, and singing music, from childhood to his early seventies. He will be truly missed!!!”

The GAP Band was formed in the ’70s by Wilson and two of his brothers and its name derives from streets in Tulsa: Greenwood, Archer and Pine.

The trio received their big break in 1974 when they were hired by Leon Russell as a backup band.

The GAP Band made music and performed for 43 years until they retired in 2010 after the death of another brother, Robert.