Lawson, who worked with the likes of Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton and Phil Collins, passes away from brain aneurysm at a hospital.
- December 25, 2013
AceShowbiz -
Grammy-winning musician Ricky Lawson has died. The drummer, who collaborated with popular singers such as Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and Whitney Houston, passed away at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center in Long Beach, Calif. He was 59.
The Detroit-born drummer passed away on Monday, December 23. His uncle Paul Riser told The Associated Press that the musician was diagnosed with brain aneurysm and was removed from life support 10 days after the diagnosis.
Drummer Sheila E. paid tribute to Lawson in a Twitter post on Tuesday. "We lost a great man, drummer, father, brother and son. mr Ricky Lawson. He passed away yesterday. Please pray for his family. we will miss u," she wrote.
Lawson started learning to play drums when he was 16. The young drummer then worked in the entertainment industry, collaborating with famous singers that included Al Jarreau, George Benson, Bette Midler and Quincy Jones. His playing was also featured in Houston's "I Will Always Love You". Lawson and his group Yellowjackets won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for the song "And You Know That" off their album "Shades".
