Post by Journey2herpast on Oct 22, 2005 22:45:08 GMT -5
Innovative funkster Roger Troutman was the master of the vocoder -- a keyboard synthesizer that created robotic-sounding vocals through the simultaneous use of a piano-like interface and a breath controller (breath tube), somewhat like a guitar talk box.
The son of Roger Troutman, 'Little Roger' appeared as a child on stage with the group Zapp. Roger Troutman was born Nov. 29, 1951.
Roger & Zapp first topped the R&B charts in 1980 with “More Bounce to the Ounce (Part 1).” Larry Troutman, then playing congas, left the band to be its manager.
There was no stopping the band, as Zapp made a home on the charts from 1980 to 1986 with such electronic funk hits as “Dance Floor (Part 1),” “Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing),” I Can Make You Dance (Part 1)” and “Computer Love.”
Due to a contractual loophole, the group also scored hits as the “solo” act Roger, including a 1981 remake of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “In the Mix” and 1987's “I Want to Be Your Man.” Roger's trademark was a voice synthesizer that gave him a futuristic, robotic sound. Many of those recordings were done at Cincinnati's Fifth Floor Studios.
Though the onset of rap would knock Roger & Zapp off the charts, the band's recordings were frequently “sampled” by rappers, resulting in a steady income of royalties.
But bad business decisions resulted in Troutman Enterprises' bankruptcy in 1992.
The last few years saw Roger on a major comeback. Rappers 2Pac and Dr. Dre enlisted him for the 1996 hit, “California Love,” for which they received a Grammy nomination.
Roger was back on the road with a new version of Zapp, enjoying his comeback as well as a general revival in “old-school” funk. He appeared at the 1997 and 1998 Coors Light Stadium Festivals and had been booked to play this summer's event as well.
Roger Troutman, who lived 24 years in the Dayton area, leaves four sons, Roger Lynch, Larry Gates, Lester Gates and Taji J. Troutman; five daughters Dawn Shazier, Hope Shazier, Summer Gates, Mia Paris Collins and Gene Nicole Patterson; and a grandson.
The son of Roger Troutman, 'Little Roger' appeared as a child on stage with the group Zapp. Roger Troutman was born Nov. 29, 1951.
Roger & Zapp first topped the R&B charts in 1980 with “More Bounce to the Ounce (Part 1).” Larry Troutman, then playing congas, left the band to be its manager.
There was no stopping the band, as Zapp made a home on the charts from 1980 to 1986 with such electronic funk hits as “Dance Floor (Part 1),” “Doo Wa Ditty (Blow That Thing),” I Can Make You Dance (Part 1)” and “Computer Love.”
Due to a contractual loophole, the group also scored hits as the “solo” act Roger, including a 1981 remake of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “In the Mix” and 1987's “I Want to Be Your Man.” Roger's trademark was a voice synthesizer that gave him a futuristic, robotic sound. Many of those recordings were done at Cincinnati's Fifth Floor Studios.
Though the onset of rap would knock Roger & Zapp off the charts, the band's recordings were frequently “sampled” by rappers, resulting in a steady income of royalties.
But bad business decisions resulted in Troutman Enterprises' bankruptcy in 1992.
The last few years saw Roger on a major comeback. Rappers 2Pac and Dr. Dre enlisted him for the 1996 hit, “California Love,” for which they received a Grammy nomination.
Roger was back on the road with a new version of Zapp, enjoying his comeback as well as a general revival in “old-school” funk. He appeared at the 1997 and 1998 Coors Light Stadium Festivals and had been booked to play this summer's event as well.
Roger Troutman, who lived 24 years in the Dayton area, leaves four sons, Roger Lynch, Larry Gates, Lester Gates and Taji J. Troutman; five daughters Dawn Shazier, Hope Shazier, Summer Gates, Mia Paris Collins and Gene Nicole Patterson; and a grandson.