Eight years ago today, the world lost a truly gifted and talented man, Roger Troutman. He died a senseless and tragical death at the hands of his own brother. But Roger will ALWAYS be remembered. It's no secret on here that Roger/Zapp is one of my all time fave artists. As a musician, Roger has influenced me greatly. A multi-instrumentalist, Roger has always been underrated as a lead guitarist. He could blaze with the best of them. But it was his rhythm guitar playing that always left me speechless. Never have I heard a more precise, clean, ALWAYS in the pocket, funky rhythm player in my life. As soon as you hear his guitar, instantly, you know it's him. No one has been able to duplicate his sound. I've told this on here before and I'll tell it again. Once in Tower Records on Sunset out here in L.A., I was with my mother. And lo and behold, and spotted Roger. I went over and introduced myself and my mother and told him how huge of a fan and influence he was on me as a musician. He was the kindest and most gentle person.

Roger was a very cool dude. I still can't believe we don't KNOW why he died.

Pt.2. My computer started flipping out for some reason, so that's why I ended that so abrutly. Anyway, rest in peace Sir Roger. You truly were one of a kind. Anybody out there want to give it up in respect to this talented soul? Feel free.

Just a few of my faves from Roger/Zapp

More Bounce To The Ounce
So Ruff, So Tuff
Be Alright
Itchin' For Your Twitch
I Can Make You Dance
Heartbreaker
Dance Floor
I Want To Be Your Man

Graycap23 said:

Money was suppossed to be the reason. His older brother who had been handeling Roger's affairs, got into an arguement with Roger in an alley behind their studio. Apparently Roger said he wanted to dissolve their arrangement and his brother wasn't having it. He shot Roger and then turned the gun on himself.

I've seen Roger and Zapp over 20 times over the years. Awesome performer! Sadly missed. R.I.P.

blackguitaristz said:

It just seems that there MUST have been more 2 it than that. I guess we will never know.

I think I remember reading he died right here on this forum!

I bumped "Dance Floor" in the car deck taday. We miss you Roger!

R.I.P. Rog. I know God is loving your guitar/voice box solos right about now.

Frederick96 said:

Yes. I've seen him 3 times live. The first being back in Feb 82 at the Santa Monica Civic opening up for P on his Controversy tour.

Graycap23 said:

Yeah,...jealousy is a dangerous emotion. Not saying that this element was involved but, very much like Marvin and his father, Marvin Sr., was jealous of his son's success for years. The Troutmans was a musical family, BUT Roger was definately the star. I'm an only child so I can't speak on anything dealing with siblings, but I can't imagine killing my own brother. Over anything. Money, women, whatever.

I remember having a discussion a few years ago with someone who was head of A'n'R for Reprise Records. The tales he told me painted Roger as an eccentric, funny, talented and extremely nice individual - basically what I expected and what I wanted to hear!

"Heartbreaker"'s the jam for me...damn, they're all good...a very under-rated track of his is "You Should Be Mine" off the "Bridging The Gap" album.

I played in a band with a relative of Roger, I saw a pic of them playing in a band in their teens. It was roger on guitar his brother on drums and his cousin tony on bass. His cousin told me the whole story of what happened. I havent been right since. RIP

but.....CASTASPELLONME on, The New Zapp IV U IZ da SH*****

Roger And ZAPP tore the roof off of First Avenue Nightclub all three times I saw him perform there. Some of my memories of his performances include, The Skit he performed with one of his female back-ground singers that ended with Roger cussing her out using that vocoder voice box.Man that was some funny stuff, The guitar solo's. Man, Blackguitarist isn't lying when he said that Roger was an awesome guitarist. He could hold his own with anyone. The introduction when Roger appeared in the balcony and did a smoking harmonica solo to Doo Wat Diddy (Blow That Thang). The last time I saw him, He did an encore at the end with "More Bounce To The Ounce" He brought as many people from the audience onstage as he could. It was packed. I made as far as the stairs, That was it. But everyone was dancing and having a good time. Man I loved his music. I'm still sad that he's gone. R.I.P Roger. You are missed.

I saw him at the World Trade Center back in '96. Came into the crowd and blew his harmonica right in my face I stayed for the second show, just hoping he would really do his thing on guitar. He gave us just a lil' taste - but it was still a cool show(s).

I always loved how he would always include a guitar instrumental on every album. Dude was a monster on guitar.

Would've loved to have seen him and Prince trading solos and funk rhythms!

Can't believe it's been 8 years already

One of GOD's greatest gifts.....

I remember being at his concert & him coming behind us playing his guitar, playing a rendition of George Benson's Breezin

This was when I Wanna Be Your Man was out...

I hollar "Get down Roger"....He just smile and kept on playing


He played More Bounce To Ounce as if it was brand spankin new..

That mug was tight...

Ray Davis of P.Funk was there also.. Doing his bow wow stuff

He close the show by playing I Wanna Be Your Man at least 4 times

yup....truly one of GOD's greatest gifts....

I been revisting alot of Zapp lately. Unbelievable music - so funky it's just a different league. 'Heartbreaker' is my fav I think, but there are so many.

R.I.P Roger. Would love to have seen you live in the UK but I never did.

funkpill said:

I Want To Be Your Man has to have one of the sweetest hooks ever. The pre chorus is pretty as hell too.

Not a giant Roger/Zapp fan but dug the funky guitar.
I give the guy a lot of credit for establishing a distinguishable sound.

It is very cool when you meet an artist that turns out to be a nice human being.


tA

Tribal Disorder

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

NDRU said:

here? I hope somebody cleaned it up.

theAudience said:

Yeah...he was actually out here in L.A. to work on some more stuff with Dr.Dre. I gave him my business card and told him that I would love to do some stuff with him. Collab or just lay on some stuff of his, whatever. He took it and put it in his silver card holder. He said "Oh, I belive you can play. You've got that look." Honestly, about 6 to 8 weeks later, I heard the tragic news that he had been killed. It was ALL OVER the news and radio stations in L.A. KDAY played his stuff damn near non stop that next day. But to convey on what u posted Aud, Roger had a natural sweet demenour and it was cool to see it on someone with his fame. He had on this pearl white suit and pearl white hat. As we were driving away from the store, I saw Roger getting into a taxi.Didn't know that would be the last time i would ever see him alive.

blackguitaristz said:

BG.....u are depressing me.

Roger was definately bad as hell. He had so many great jams and "So Ruff, So Tuff" is one of the funkiest jams of all time.

Yeah, me too. Especially the part about working on some more stuff with Dr. Dre. Nobody's perfect and everyone has their faults. Let's only remember the good stuff about him.

Graycap23 said:

Sorry Gray. That wasn't my intentions. Just sharing a time where the planets just happened to line up in a certain formation and I actually came in contact with a childhood idol.

blackguitaristz said:

I appreciate your story I'm just miffed that we really don't know why he died. That just ticks me off.