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Roger TroutmanVocalist and co-founder of the band 'Zapp'
Date of Birth: 29.11.1951
Country:  USA |
Content:
Biography of Roger Troutman
Roger Troutman: A Pioneer in Funk and Hip-HopIntroduction
Roger Troutman, a vocalist and one of the founding members of the group 'Zapp,' played a significant role in popularizing funk music and influenced the development of hip-hop on the West Coast. He was well-known for his use of the talk box, a device connected to instruments, primarily keyboards, that allowed for various vocal effects. Roger used specially ordered devices such as the Electro Harmonix 'Golden Throat' and the Yamaha DX100 FM synthesizer.
Early Life and Career
Born on November 29, 1951, in Hamilton, Ohio, Roger Troutman was the fourth of ten children. He began his musical journey as a member of the soul-funk group 'Parliament-Funkadelic.' Prior to that, Roger and his four brothers formed various bands, including 'Little Roger,' 'The Vels,' and 'Roger and the Human Body.' In 1977, 'Roger and the Human Body' released their first single, 'Freedom,' and changed their name to 'Zapp.' They caught the attention of George Clinton, who signed them to his label, 'Uncle Jam Records,' in 1979. The group made their television debut on the 'Funk Music Awards' show. A year later, 'Uncle Jam Records' closed, and 'Zapp' signed a contract with 'Warner Brothers Records,' releasing their first hit single, 'More Bounce to the Ounce.' Their debut album also achieved success, reaching the top 20 on the 'Billboard 200' chart, gaining national recognition for the group and Roger.
Success and Influence
Between 1980 and 1985, 'Zapp' released four gold albums and several hit singles that topped the charts. Some of their notable compositions include 'Be Alright,' 'Dance Floor,' 'I Can Make You Dance,' 'Heartbreaker,' 'It Doesn't Really Matter,' which paid tribute to African-American artists past and present, and the funk ballad 'Computer Love' featuring Charlie Wilson and Shirley Murdock. However, after the release of their fifth album, 'Vibe,' in 1989, the group lost the magic that turned their songs into hits, even though they continued to release singles throughout the '90s. As the group's lineup grew to 15 members, Roger started producing solo projects for the group's members.
Tragic End
In 1993, the compilation album 'Zapp & Roger: All the Greatest Hits' was released, becoming the group's best-selling album, selling over 2 million copies. On Sunday, April 25, 1999, around 7 a.m., Roger Troutman was found near his recording studio in Dayton, Ohio, with severe gunshot wounds. According to doctors, the 47-year-old artist had been shot multiple times and was in critical condition. He died during the operation at a nearby hospital. His older brother, Larry Troutman, was found dead in a car parked a few blocks away from the studio, with a gunshot wound to the head. A gun, which became the murder weapon, was found inside the car. Witnesses reported that the vehicle matched the description of the one leaving the crime scene. The police concluded that Larry killed Roger before taking his own life. As both brothers died, and there were no witnesses to what transpired between them before the murder, the motives behind the tragedy remain a mystery. Family and friends could only speculate that the increasing tension between the brothers due to Larry's financial problems and Roger's desire to dissolve their business partnership might have been the cause. However, considering how close Larry and Roger were and that neither of them had ever shown any signs of violence, no one suspected that the issues could escalate to such a violent outcome. Roger Troutman left behind five sons, five daughters, and four grandchildren.
