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Milan Williams of the Commodores Dies

07/10/2006 12:37

Milan B. Williams, an original member of the internationally acclaimed band The Commodores, passed away Sunday, July 9, 2006 at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. Milan was born on Easter Sunday in Okolona, Mississippi on March 28, 1948. He was inspired and encouraged by his older brother, Earl, to begin playing piano as a child. His career began in high school when he formed his own 3 piece band in Okolona. His musical desire was further nurtured as keyboard player with a band in Tuskegee, Alabama called The Jays, which was the predecessor to the Grammy Award winning Commodores, of which he was a founding member. Milan wrote the very first hit for the Commodores, “Machine Gun” as well as many others with the band “The Bump”, “Let’s Get Started,” “Brick House,” and “Wonderland,” just to name a few. Milan, with all of his success and stardom, was a very humble and caring man who loved life. He grew up in North Mississippi, attended Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, AL where he was an engineering major. He settled in the Los Angeles area and was a member of the Commodores for 20 years. In October of 2000, Milan married his sweetheart of 10 years, Melanie Bruno-Williams, who remained by his side at all times until his death. Their deep and profound love is and always will be an inspiration to all of their family and friends. Since the day he was diagnosed with cancer, he was committed to fight the disease and beat it. He never gave up and his strength and positive attitude throughout all of this showed his determination and true character. Milan often spoke about how very blessed he was that he got to live his dream, making music, and enjoy the hobbies he loved most, flying airplanes and playing golf. Milan leaves behind his wife, Melanie Bruno-Williams, two sons from previous unions, Jason and Ricci, brothers Earl Williams (Nettie) of Hilton Head, SC and Lance Williams (Gail) of Atlanta, GA and sister Terry (Dwight Deans) of Decatur, GA, several special nieces, nephews, aunts, uncle and cousins. He leaves behind his mother-in-law Louise Rogalny, father-in law John Rogalny, brother-in law Marty Rogalny and sisters-in-law Dana Rae & Kathrine Clark, all of Los Angeles. He also leaves a large Tuskegee and “Commodores” family and many special friends who have been there throughout his illness. Milan was preceded in death by his parents Earl L.Williams, Sr. and Julia Bowen Williams of Okolona, Mississippi. Walter Orange spoke on behalf of the Commodores, “He was once, twice, three times a brother and we love him. He gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He’ll always be remembered.” In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in his name to Leukemia Research at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston. The funeral will be in Okolona on Friday, July 14, where he will be interred. There will be a memorial service in Los Angeles in August.

tA

Tribal Disorder

http://www.soundclick.com...dID=182431

Sad news.

DAMN

Unbelievable.I am just getting over the sad news of johnnie wilder,jr. of
heatwave passing. We are losing too many musical greats. Milan Williams was a key member of the commodores. He was the master of the keyboard synthesizers that you heard on the commodores music. Milan will live forever in our hearts
through the great music of the commodores which i will be sure to listen to on
my way to work today. R.I.P Milan.

Damn, this is a terrible year for Black Soul legends and pioneers, I can't keep count with all of the people dying. With Lou Rawls, Wilson Pickett, Billy Preston, Johnny Wilder, June Pointer and now Milan Williams, what the hell is going to happen for the rest of this year?

commodores must reunite in honor of lionel richie.
if they dont do it now,they probably never will.
lionel richie do you hear ???

UncleGrandpa said:

Agreed and several years earlier,we lost Rick James,Barry White and Luther Vandross.I'm extremely heartbroken.These people are legends!

thebanishedone said:

Lionel? Hello?

thebanishedone said:

Wow...lost another one.

I agree they need to reunite, but in honor of the Commodores, not any specific member.

GODDAMMIT LIONEL RICHIE!!!!! You had your chance.....but you kept puttin' out that BULLS**T!!!!! Sappy ass new millenium rhythm & bulls**t, while YOUR group settled for "casino gigs" instead of being treated like the legends they are. Now, one of THE most integral pieces of the puzzle is no longer here with us. God bless the family of the late, great Milan Williams. And may he rest in eternal, funky peace. Lionel Richie, GO TO HELL!!!! GO DIRECTLY TO HELL!!!! DO NOT PASS GO!!!!! DO NOT COLLECT 1 MILLION DOLLARS!!!!!

Favorite commodore records:
Machine gun
Slippery when wet
This is your life
Girl,i think the world about you
Just to be close to you
gimme my mule(funk on this)
brick house
easy
zoom
high on sunshine
come inside
too hot to trot
old fashioned love
heroes
R.I.P Milan Williams
I won't be as hard on lionel as others but this brother deserves some
kind of tribute. He was the backbone of the commodores.

woogiebear said:

wow rather angry at Mr. Richie are we???

Milan! (Milan)

You were a friend of miiine

CinisterCee said:

woogiebear said:

Such bitterness....

woogiebear said:

I agree with you (somewhat).These guys should have done a reunion YEARS AGO,but I guess Lionel is more concerned with his own non-existent career...releasing those awful,soul-less,sappy pop albums that nobody buys.

Daaaaamn! RIP Milan Williams.