Ohio Players Founder Dies

Robert Ward, a Georgia blues musician who played with some of Motown's biggest artists, died last Thursday (December 25th). He was 70.

His wife, Roberta, told the Telegraph of Macon that her husband died at his home in Dry Branch in central Georgia. She said her husband had suffered a stroke in 2001 and never fully recovered.

Ward, a Georgia native, moved to Ohio and founded the Ohio Untouchables, which later became the Ohio Players. However, Ward left the group well before its biggest successes in the mid-1970s, when it scored No. 1 hits with "Fire" and "Love Rollercoaster."

In the 1970s, he moved to Detroit where he performed with the Temptations, Wilson Pickett and other Motown artists.

The vocalist and guitarist recorded multiple albums over his career, starting in 1991 with "Fear No Evil." His last album, "New Role Soul," was released in 2000.

Thanks for the info to Billboard.com.

Comments

[xplosive_wonton]

R.I.P.

[b.m.s.]

Rock in Peacee

[irishman]

Damn

[slayer_rule_\m/]

Damn.

I loved Love Rollercoaster.

[SuicidalFreak]

slayer_rule_\m/ wrote:

Damn.

I loved Love Rollercoaster.

So did I? "Love Rollercoaster" is an awesome funk hit.

[SuicidalFreak]

Anyway, R.I.P. Robert Ward

[mdawg24]

R.I.P. Bud.

[The_String_Man]

R.I.P.

[100%guitarmad]

Rest in Peace

[ChucklesMginty]

Dammit, why can't the talentless bastards die :'(

[edbert]

great funk group

R.I.P.

[Ixthyx]

My Mom went to high school with one of the Ohio Players. Such a solid band. Sad to see him go.

[rhcp_freak]

Ohio Players were awesome. Rest in peace Robert Ward.

[Austiman]

What a drag. I heard Love Rollercoaster last night and didn't even know he died.

Crap.

[soundgarden19]

Damn, that sucks.

[andyscoot]

And on christmas day too, damn that sucks

R.I.P Robert

[SoftParade1967]

R.I.P. Man. I was just getting into these guys... There awesome.

[FiveStarMotel]

That's sad, I love the story behind "Love Rollercoaster" and it's a great song too. 70's too young, RIP

R.I.P.

Checked

[Underjoggle]

This may not be appropriate, but who else finds it funny that a man named Robert married a Roberta?

[violent diamond]

LOL Underjoggle

And LOL true to the guy who said " Damn, why cant the talentless bastards die? " It really is a shame that this man has to die while Barbara Streisand still roams the Earth for munchings

[Menzaine]

Ok ok lets not make light hearted jokes at a musicians expense thats low.RIP.

[shwilly]

Vheck out Funky Worm > it's a lot slower but equally funk-tastic compared to Love Rollercoaster

[shreddedstrings]

first james brown on xmas some years back, now Rob ward. damn. RIP brown and ward

[InvaderTSN]

No....

NO!!!!!

NO!!!!!

[CaTeArS]

RIP

[dethead666]

Is BB king the only old blues player from that era left?

Checked.

RIP

[Utruth1]

Robert Ward went to Detroit to lead the band for "The Undisputed Truth" on The J-5 tour "71".During this time super Motown Producer Norman Whitfield took the band into the studios in Detroit (Motown )to record albums for The Undisputed Truth and The Temptations ("Papa was a rolling stone").Joe Harris who sang lead for the truth ("Smilin Faces Sometimes")was a singer with the Ohio Untouchables and later an Original member of the "Ohio Players ".

[Utruth1]

Rip My Brother,You will be Missed.
The Undisputed Truth....

[benman7]

Damn..what a shame