Precinct Reporter Group, News for Orange County, Long Beach, San Bernardino

Robert Wilson, one third of the funkadelic brotherly trio, the GAP Band, passed away in Palmdale on Sunday, August 15.

One of the funkiest bass players in R&B, Robert, together with his brothers, Ronnie and Charlie created some of the biggest R&B and funk hits in the ‘70s and ‘80s including “You Dropped a Bomb On Me,” “Outstanding,” “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me),” and “Oops Upside Your Head.”

“My brother Robert was a bad boy on the bass,” stated brother Charlie.  “We shared a bond as brothers, musicians and friends.  I loved him and losing him is difficult for both Ronnie and I.  The music world has lost a very talented man.”

Robert was a legendary bass player whose style of play inspired Victor Wooten, Marcus Miller and the late Wayman Tisdale among others.   At the time of Tisdale’s death, he and Robert were working on a solo project.  One of Robert’s classic bass solos was on the GAP Band hit, “Shake.”

The GAP Band first performed as the Greenwood, Archer and Pine Street Band in their hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma.  The group shortened its name to The GAP Band in 1973.

Their hits have been sampled and covered by R&B and Hip-Hop artists including Nas, Snoop Dogg, Warren G, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Notorious B.I.G., Blackstreet, Shaquille O’Neal, Mia X, Mary J. Blige and Madonna.

Funeral services are pending.