Gua
Disc Jockey
Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 2301
Location: Dirty South
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| Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
 Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:48 am |
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Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010
Ron Banks, the legendary falsetto lead singer of the Dramatics, has died at age 58 of an apparent heart attack at his Detroit home. A co-founder of the group, Banks was one of the most recognizable singers of the past 40 years, with his expressive falsetto driving much of the great hits of the Dramatics, from "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" to the great "Toast to the Fool." Banks and his bandmates were honored with SoulTracks' Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2008 SoulTracks Readers' Choice Awards.
While never reaching "supergroup" status in the public's eyes, the Dramatics have been one of the most prolific, consistently entertaining groups of the last three decades. Another of the great non-Motown Detroit groups formed in the late 60s, the Dramatics went through significant personnel changes over their early years as the group struggled to find a hit. They ultimately found it on Stax/Volt Records with "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get," a latin-tinged cut lyrically based on a comic phrase popularized by Flip Wilson. It was an instant hit on both the pop and soul charts, and began a string of great cuts for the group penned by Tony Hester. The follow-ups "In The Rain" and "Toast to the Fool" were even better, and have remained in active play on many stations for nearly 30 years.
While the group has had various compositions, once L.J. Reynolds replaced William Howard in 1973, the core of the group was set. With Reynolds' gruff baritone and Ron Banks' soaring falsetto, a unique group harmony was created that is still recognizable today...
Ron banks had a very distinctive voice and style and helped to identify the sound of the Dramatics. May he rest in Peace
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Laughter is the music of the soul
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Debbie
So Funkdafied!
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 1324
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| Re: Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:20 pm |
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I had heard about this - and it is very sad news indeed! I have always really liked the song "In The Rain". Ron will be missed - may he rest in sweet peace.
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DC
Groupie
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 477
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| Re: Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:46 pm |
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Condolences to Ron's family and friends. Very sad indeed
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zebop
So Funkdafied!
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 692
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| Re: Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:17 pm |
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Can't believe it, I liked him a lot RIP.
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Gua
Disc Jockey
Joined: 16 Feb 2006
Posts: 2301
Location: Dirty South
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| Re: Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
| Posted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 4:58 pm |
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Yeah, I got an email about this last night. I met the original Dramatics when "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get" came out. They were all very nice. He was just 58 years old. So sad!!!
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Laughter is the music of the soul
(Gua's Blog) |
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kendu
Groupie
Joined: 28 Feb 2006
Posts: 334
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| Re: Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
| Posted: Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:14 am |
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The Dramatics were involved in the event's that set off the Detroit Riots.
Three people were killed and members of the group were beaten by police at the
Algiers Motel one mile from where the riots began.
Years ago i had the book "The Algiers Motel Incident"
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DC
Groupie
Joined: 02 May 2008
Posts: 477
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| Re: Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
| Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 11:40 pm |
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Fantastic. Thanks for this Gua
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Debbie
So Funkdafied!
Joined: 23 Feb 2006
Posts: 1324
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| Re: Ron Banks of the Dramatics : 1952-2010 |
| Posted: Wed Mar 17, 2010 2:47 pm |
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Very nice tribute for Ron!
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