Ricky Lawson | |
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 Lawson in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | William Riser III |
| Born | (1954-11-08)November 8, 1954 Detroit, Michigan,U.S. |
| Died | December 23, 2013(2013-12-23) (aged 59) Long Beach, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, composer |
| Instrument | Drums |
| Formerly of | |
William Riser III (November 8, 1954 – December 23, 2013), better known asRicky Lawson orRicky Remo, was an American drummer and composer. A native ofDetroit,Michigan, he worked extensively as asession musician, collaborating withStevie Wonder,Michael Jackson,Eric Clapton,Phil Collins,Whitney Houston,Steely Dan,Earl Klugh,Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and other artists.[1][2][3] He co-founded thejazz-fusion bandYellowjackets and won the 1987Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "And You Know That" from their albumShades.[3]
Lawson started playing drums at the age of sixteen. He would borrow his uncle's drum set and carry it to his house across town via the Detroit bus system. In high school, Lawson played in his high school jazz band, which consisted of only five members, including the director. Lawson played for The Sons of Soul, who performed at the 1969 Michigan State Fair, opening forThe Jackson Five along with The Blazer, a band fromCooley High School in Detroit that includedLa Palabra.
Also in high school, he played such sports as water polo and swimming. His swimming talent eventually earned him a scholarship to college. He only spent one year at college, being invited to play drums for Stevie Wonder. In the '80s and '90s, he played drums for Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. He played on Whitney's famous hit, "I Will Always Love You". Lawson has a one note "solo" in the song, where he hits the toms before Whitney's dramatic vocal finale. He said that this was his favorite solo of his career.[4]
In addition to the artists listed above, Lawson collaborated withQuincy Jones,Bette Midler,Russell Ferrante,Toto,Al Jarreau,George Benson,Lionel Richie, andGeorge Duke. He also co-authoredthe Pointer Sisters' hit "Uh-Uh", and co-produced their albumSerious Slammin' and theFattburger hit "Good News".[5]
He was the drummer for Michael Jackson'sBad Tour in 1987-1989 andDangerous Tour in 1992–1993. He was the drummer for Phil Collins'Both Sides tour in 1994-1995 and theDance into the Light Tour in 1997. He also performed with Phil Collins for hisMTV Unplugged session in 1994.
Lawson appeared on Steely Dan'sTwo Against Nature studio album, as well as their live album and tour DVD,Two Against Nature: Steely Dan's Plush TV Jazz-Rock Party. He also appeared on Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds'MTV Unplugged live album and DVD in 1997.
Lawson became disoriented while performing at the Spaghettini jazz club on December 13, 2013, inSeal Beach, California. He was diagnosed with abrain aneurysm and treated atLong Beach Memorial Medical Center.[6] He died on December 23, 2013, aged 59, when he was removed fromlife support after ten days.[3]
In one of his final studio recordings,[7] Lawson appears on 8 of 13 tracks of well-known bassist andFourplay founding memberNathan East's eponymous album, released in March 2014. The album dedicationIn memory of Ricky Lawson appears as the final statement in the liner notes.
In 2001, Lawson released the solo albumRicky Lawson and Friends,[8] on which he performed, arranged, produced, and wrote all of the songs in collaboration with leading artistsGerald Albright,Phil Collins,George Duke,Sheila E.,Nathan East,Donald Fagen,Jon Herington,Robben Ford,James Ingram,Boney James,Al Jarreau,Kirk Whalum,Vesta Williams, and others. The album is a blend of R&B, pop, and jazz.
In 2008, Lawson put together a classic Christmas CD,Christmas with Friends, with special guests Ron Reinhardt andPhilippe Saisse on acoustic piano,Rick Braun on trumpet,Richard Elliot,Michael Paulo, and Steve Alaniz on sax, Paul Brown, Adam Hawley and Iam Keene on guitar,Lenny Castro on percussion, Roberto Vally and Sekou Bunch on bass.
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