The Tulsa World is reporting that Robert Wilson of The Gap Band has died. He was 53.
Wilson, a native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his brothers, Charlie and Ronnie, started The Gap Band in the early ’70s before moving to Los Angeles and finding fame as one of the premiere funk bands of the era.
Known as the godfather of bass guitar, Wilson died from a massive heart attack in his home, his publicist and manager, Don Jackson said.
His family became concerned about him when they didn’t receive their regular phone calls from him throughout the day. His adult son found Wilson’s body on Sunday afternoon in Palmdale, Calif.
Funeral details will be shared as they become available, his publicist said.
Ironically, Wilson gave what is most likely his last public interview to The Tulsa World last week to promote a show he was scheduled to do on Saturday, Aug. 28. The news outlet said he expressed joy about returning to his boyhood home of Tulsa and an upcoming festival headlining show and following tour.
The Aug. 28 show will go on as planned, but will now be a memorial to Wilson.
