Billboard
Web

Ohio Players Founder Robert Ward Dies

January 05, 2009 11:50 AM ET
Robert Ward, a Georgia blues musician who played with some of Motown's biggest artists, died Dec. 25. 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.


AP LogoCopyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.



Ohio Players Founder Robert Ward Dies

January 05, 2009 11:50 AM ET
Robert Ward, a Georgia blues musician who played with some of Motown's biggest artists, died Dec. 25. 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.


AP LogoCopyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Post a Comment
Asterisk (*) is a required field.
* Author: 
*Comment:
 
 

In the early '80s, Michael Jackson boosted the music industry and set a new benchmark for blockbusters. More...

After his record-breaking chart week, the late Michael Jackson will continue to shake up the charts next week, too. More...
  Buy CD  
  Buy CD/DVD/VHS  
  Buy Ringtones  
  Digital Download  
  View the video clip  
  Listen to the Radio  
  Subscription Service  
   
  Buy CD  
  Buy CD/DVD/VHS  
  Buy Ringtones  
  Digital Download  
  View the video clip  
  Subscription Service