Keith Wilder, a vocalist for the celebrated funk band Heatwave, has died.
Rolling Stone reports that the 65-year-old crooner passed away on Sunday. A cousin, Billy Jones, told Dayton.com that Wilder had suffered from “health problems and had died in his sleep.”
Heatwave, with Wilder and his brother Johnnie Wilder on vocals, gave us beloved classics like “Boogie Nights,” “The Groove Line.” But none could surpass 1977’s “Always and Forever,” which has now become a Quiet Storm and wedding song staple.
Keith joined the band in the mid-70s at his Johnnie’s suggestion and stayed on until the 80s when the band disbanded.
The Roots drummer Questlove paid tribute to Keith and also celebrated Johnnie, who passed away in 2006.
Funk icon Bootsy Collins also paid tribute to Wilder.
Wilder is survived by his mother, his wife Lucille, three brothers and four children.