Dramatics Lead Singer Ron Banks Dies at 58 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 03-04-2010, 11:21 PM

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Ron Banks, 58, of The Dramatics, died of a heart attack today at Detroit's Sinai Hospital. The Detroiter was a founding member of the group back in the '60s, as a teenager.

Proof that not all Detroit R&B groups ended up at Motown (or should have), after a few singles on small labels, the Dramatics signed with Stax/Volt Records out of Memphis and became known for their funky '70s sound on hits including "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" (1971), "In The Rain" (1972) and "Get Up and Get Down" (1972).

"It caught us by surprise," said fellow Dramatic, L.J. Reynolds of Detroit. He said the group has gigs to fulfill, and they will perform, including a concert Saturday at the Westbury Music Festival in New York.

"We still have to go to New York tomorrow night," Reynolds said. "We have to go. The show must go on. If it was me I'd want them to go ahead and I'm sure he'd feel the same way. It'll be a long, silent ride there. But we'll take Ron's mike and put it up onstage, and let it stand there."

Reynolds was 18 when he met Banks and The Dramatics backstage at the Apollo Theater. "They were having problems with their lead singer," Reynolds remembers. "A year later, I got with the group. We ended up doing 38 Top Ten R&B singles."

"We had a great ride ... and The Dramatics will go on. This is a tragedy, but we have to be strong for Ron and his family," Reynolds said.

Banks is survived by six children and his wife, Sandy

Marvo301 · 03-04-2010, 11:31 PM

Ron Banks

catlover79 · 03-05-2010, 12:25 AM

MickeyMac · 03-05-2010, 01:57 PM

"Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" is a jam and a half.

03-04-2010, 11:21 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,349	Dramatics Lead Singer Ron Banks Dies at 58 Link Ron Banks, 58, of The Dramatics, died of a heart attack today at Detroit's Sinai Hospital. The Detroiter was a founding member of the group back in the '60s, as a teenager. Proof that not all Detroit R&B groups ended up at Motown (or should have), after a few singles on small labels, the Dramatics signed with Stax/Volt Records out of Memphis and became known for their funky '70s sound on hits including "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" (1971), "In The Rain" (1972) and "Get Up and Get Down" (1972). "It caught us by surprise," said fellow Dramatic, L.J. Reynolds of Detroit. He said the group has gigs to fulfill, and they will perform, including a concert Saturday at the Westbury Music Festival in New York. "We still have to go to New York tomorrow night," Reynolds said. "We have to go. The show must go on. If it was me I'd want them to go ahead and I'm sure he'd feel the same way. It'll be a long, silent ride there. But we'll take Ron's mike and put it up onstage, and let it stand there." Reynolds was 18 when he met Banks and The Dramatics backstage at the Apollo Theater. "They were having problems with their lead singer," Reynolds remembers. "A year later, I got with the group. We ended up doing 38 Top Ten R&B singles." "We had a great ride ... and The Dramatics will go on. This is a tragedy, but we have to be strong for Ron and his family," Reynolds said. Banks is survived by six children and his wife, Sandy
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03-04-2010, 11:31 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	Ron Banks
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03-05-2010, 12:25 AM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
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03-05-2010, 01:57 PM	#4
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	"Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" is a jam and a half.