Keith Wilder dead: Singer of funk band Heatwave dies aged 65
KEITH WILDER, who was the lead singer of 70s funk bank Heatwave, has died aged 65.
Keith Wilder passed away aged 65
The musician passed away in his sleep on Sunday, his cousin and bandmate Billy Jones told Dayton.com.
Keith was suffering from health issues at the time but a specific cause of death has not been revealed.
Heatwave were most famous for their top disco hits Boogie Nights, The Groove Line and Always and Forever.
The group formed in 1975 after Keith’s brother, Johnnie Wilder Jr. asked him to join him and British songwriter Rod Temperton to tour the London nightclub circuit.
Keith Wilder has passed away aged 65 in his sleep
Keith Wilder was suffering from health issues at the time
In 1976, the band released their debut album Too Hot to Handle where they instantly found huge success.
They went on to release their second album Central Heating in 1978 and Hot Property just a year later.
Tragedy struck Keith's family in the late 70s when his sibling, Johnnie, was paralysed from the neck down in a car accident. He later died in 2006.
Heatwave produced top disco hits including Boogie Nights
Heatwave was formed in 1975 with Keith and his brother Johnnie sharing vocals
Keith continued to perform and record albums up until the late 1980s and released another Heatwave album, The Fire.
Paying tribute, Keith’s family member, Billy said: “He was a really good family man. He loved his family.”
“We went through a lot, me and Keith. We traveled the world together with the band. We had some really good times.”