Our condolences go out to the family, friends and fans of Leroy “Sugarfoot” Bonner, lead singer and guitarist for the funk band the Ohio Players, who succumbed to cancer on January 26 at age 69. The band best known for their number one pop hits “Fire” and “Love Rollercoaster,” along with such R&B classics as “Funky Worm,” Skin Tight” and “Together,” led the charge of funk bands born and bred in Dayton, OH who had national and international success. The Ohio Players were the first band to “make it” out of the small town area, along with “Lakeside,” “Roger & Zapp,” “Heatwave,” and “Slave.” Sugarfoot was also the originator of the “aww girl” nasally drawl singing style that that was copied by Lionel Richie and The Commodores, Cameo and many other R&B singers. Although Bonner will be missed, his memory, music and legacy will live on forever.
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