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Robert Wilson, influential bassist of soul/funk outfit The Gap Band, died on Sunday of a heart attack at his home in California. He was just 53 years old. Along with his brothers Charlie and Ronnie, and members Raymond Calhoun and Ronnie Smith, the group found fame in the late 70's and early 80's with their unique blend of soul, disco and p-funk, backed up by Robert's tight, driving basslines. His style of playing influenced great bassists from Marcus Miller to Victor Wooten among others, earning him the moniker 'Godfather of the Bass Guitar'. His stripped back, steady and full-sounding bass style provided the beefy low-end to countless Gap Band hits, creating solid basslines that ensured the band plenty of DJ play in nightclubs at the time, and to the present day. It was only inevitable that music producers would turn to the Gap Band discography to hunt for loops and grooves to sample.
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