By Emma Nolan
Senior Reporter
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Tributes are pouring in for musician Ronnie Wilson who has died at the age of 73.
A founding member of The Gap Band, Wilson passed away last week after suffering a stroke, TMZ has reported.
The musician's wife Linda Boulware-Wilson confirmed her husband's passing on Facebook on Tuesday.
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"The love of my life was called home this morning, at 10:01am," she wrote in a moving tribute. "Please continue to pray for The Wilson, Boulware, and Collins family, while we mourn his passing. 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!!!"
See posts, photos and more on Facebook.
Wilson formed the R&B and soul band in the '60s along with his brothers Charlie and Robert in Tulsa, Oklahoma and their name came from an abbreviation of Greenwood, Archer, and Pine streets in their home city.
The Gap Band released 15 albums throughout their career and are famous for hits like, "I Don't Believe You Want to Get Up and Dance (Oops!)," "Burn Rubber on Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me)," and "You Dropped a Bomb on Me."
The group rose to fame in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but many of their songs have been sampled by contemporary artists such as Bruno Mars with "Uptown Funk," and N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton."
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Several people are taking to social media today to pay tribute to the late musician and celebrate his life and career.
"This is so sad—RIP Ronnie. Now it's just Uncle Charlie left," tweeted journalist Lorraine King.
While news anchor Shawndrea Thomas added: "The Gap Band Founder Ronnie Wilson Dead at 73 #RIP."
"RIP to Ronnie Wilson (73), a founding member of the legendary R&B group, The Gap Band. Sad news tonight," tweeted a fan.
While another added: "RIP Ronnie Wilson. Thanks for all the grooves."
Another shared a clip of The Gap Band performing and added: "Gap's Band member Ronnie Wilson passed away 73 #RIP. Thank You for your contributions to music, you will be missed!!"
"RIP Ronnie Wilson, thanks for the music—your legacy will live on through your incredible songs—long love The Gap Band! Deepest condolences to @TheGapBand and @CharlieWilson," said another.
"RIP to a Tulsa, Oklahoma native, Ronnie Wilson, the eldest Wilson brother and founder of @TheGapBand.#RIPRonnieWilson #TheGapBand," reads another tribute.
"The Gap Band: Ronnie Wilson passed away. Listen, Cookouts wouldn't have been the same without you. Rip," said another.
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