http://www.freep.com/arti...Banks-dead

Dramatics founder Ron Banks dead at 58

By BRIAN McCOLLUM
Free Press Pop Music Writer

Ron Banks, whose silky falsetto helped give the Dramatics one of the most enduring careers in R&B, has died at home in Detroit. He was 58.

Banks died at about noon today, possibly of a massive heart attack, said Billy Wilson, president of the Motown Alumni Association.

The Northern High School graduate was the founder of the Detroit vocal group, which formed in the early 1960s and continued to play for avid audiences around the country. Aside from a short break in the mid-1980s, the group has worked continuously since its early days playing Chene Street nightclubs, and has been a staple of the annual '70s Soul Jam revue tours.

Banks' last hometown gig with the Dramatics was a November show at MotorCity Casino's Sound Board venue.

Banks, thought to be in normal health, was at home with his family when he abruptly passed out, said fellow Dramatics singer L.J. Reynolds, who had spoken with Banks by phone just minutes earlier.

"He seemed just like himself -- very upbeat," Reynolds said.

Banks' sweet voice and smooth choreography helped distinguish the Dramatics, particularly on Detroit's post-Motown scene of the 1970s, when the group enjoyed crossover pop success with songs such as "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" and "In the Rain."

"They stayed true to what they did," said Cliff Green, 59, a Detroit fan of the group. "They didn’t try to keep up with the times, even after the rappers and techno artists came out and took music a different way. Ron Banks and the Dramatics stayed true to what they did. You could still fall in love while listening to their music. They put you in that groove.”

Tall and strapping, with a vocal delivery inspired by the Temptations' Eddie Kendricks, Banks was well-liked among fellow musicians and industry personnel. He was a partner in Hitsville Ventures with Wilson and Detroit entrepreneur Herb Strather.

"He really was a wonderful person," said Wilson. "You know, people who have been in the business awhile can be cocky and arrogant. But he stayed beautiful, always. Even during the tense moments in the group's career, he just remained cool and calm.

"The Dramatics are one of the few groups that can pull a crowd of 5,000 people doing traditional R&B music. A lot of the older groups have a difficult time doing that by themselves. They have a very, very loyal following, particularly here. We're just devastated by this news."

Banks is survived by his wife, Sandy Banks, four daughters and two sons. He was preceded in death by Dramatics members Elbert Wilkins, William (Wee Gee) Howard and James Mack Brown.




[Edited 3/4/10 17:20pm]

Rest in peace, Ron.

R.I.P thanks for all the wonderful songs
that have touched us over the years.

I heard this a couple of hours ago on Millie Jackson's show. She said that she called Michael Henderson to verify and it was true.

She then explained that Michael played bass for the Dramatics. I didn't even know that.

Ron will be missed.

Banks represented a bygone era of master showmanship and singing greatness that
set a standard of excellence that contemporary R & B hacks will never measure up to.


Thanks for the memories, Ron.

dang....

No, I love the Dramatics. I had the chance of seeing hm live sometime in the early part of the 2000s.

Awww...no!

sacrifice said:

I keep this song in my mp3 player. Love it.

sacrifice said:

.
[Edited 3/7/10 11:23am]

R.I.P. Ron Banks

RIP.

Funeral details released:

Viewing*
Thursday, March 11
Friday, March 12

Swanson’s Funeral Home
Northwest Chapel
14751 W. McNichols Rd.
Detroit Michigan, 48235
Phone: (313) 272-9000

Saturday, March 13 — 10am Family Hour
Funeral Services — 11am

Greater Grace Temple
23500 W. 7 Mile Rd
Detroit, MI 48219
[Edited 3/7/10 11:21am]

RIP

aw wow....


i bought the sweet soul 70s CD set from Time/Life and the Dramatics had some good stuff.


RIP Ron