Tulsan Robert Wilson Dies At Age 53

Staff and Wire Reports

NEW YORK (AP) - Robert Wilson, the bassist for the funk and R&B group the Gap Band, has died. He was 53.

His death was confirmed by Karen Lee, publicist for his brother and Gap Band singer Charlie Wilson.

The guitarist along with the rest of the Gap Band was to perform at the Timeless Music Festival in Tulsa, Oklahoma on August 28. He was also scheduled to be on Six in the Morning next Friday.

Wilson provided the bass backbone for the trio, which also included another brother, Ronnie. They rocketed to stardom in the 1980s with hits like "Outstanding," ''You Dropped a Bomb On Me" and "Yearning for Your Love."

BvBuzz.com is reporting Wilson had been recording material for a new CD that was slated for release later this year.  That CD was co-produced by the late jazz artist and former NBA star Wayman Tisdale, who died from cancer in 2009.

The family has yet to release a statement and funeral arrangements have yet to be determined.