just came across this in the paper this morning:

One of Gladys' Pips dies at 66
Associated Press
February 25, 2005 PIPS0226


ATLANTA -— A member of the Grammy-winning group Gladys Knight and The Pips has died. Edward Patten was 66.

William Guest, another member of the group, says Patten died early this morning at a hospital in Michigan, from a stroke he had suffered a few days before.

The Atlanta native had been living in Detroit.

Gladys Knight and the Pips' roots are in Atlanta. But the group became prominent as part of the Motown music scene in Detroit in the 1960's and 1970's. The group's hits include "I Heard It Through the Grapevine'' and "Midnight Train to Georgia.'' They eventually disbanded to pursue solo careers.

Gladys Knight and the Pips were inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.

Guest remembers Patten as a good person who always had an interest in music.

and

If I recall correctly, both Patten and Guest were cousins to Gladys and her brother, Bubba. Edward Patten had some health issue years ago and that may have been one of the reasons the Pips stopped performing as a group. I remember seeing him in a wheelchair.

Sad to hear.....

RIP Edward Patten

Peace to his soul.

Damn.

RIP

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Was he the lighter skinned Pip?

RIP

R.I.P.

NuPwr319 said
Was he the lighter skinned Pip?


No, he was the shorter, browner brother. William Guest is the one you're thinking of.

RIP [/quote]