Ricky Lawson

William Riser III (November 8, 1954 – December 23, 2013), better known as Ricky Lawson, was an American drummer and composer. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he worked extensively as a session musician, collaborating with Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins, Whitney Houston, Steely Dan, Earl Klugh, Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and other artists.^[1][2][3] He co-founded the jazz-fusion band Yellowjackets and won the 1987 Grammy Award for Best R&B Instrumental Performance for "And You Know That" from their album Shades.^[3]

Ricky Lawson
Ricky Lawson on the far right
Background information
Birth name	William Riser III
Born	(1954-11-08)November 8, 1954 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Died	December 23, 2013(2013-12-23) (aged 59) Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Musician, composer
Instrument(s)	Drums

Life and career

Lawson started playing drums at the age of sixteen. He would borrow his uncle's drum set and carry it to his house across town via the Detroit bus system. In high school, Lawson played in his high school jazz band, which consisted of only five members, including the director. Lawson played for The Sons of Soul, who performed at the 1969 Michigan State Fair, opening for The Jackson Five along with The Blazer, a band from Cooley High School in Detroit that included La Palabra. Also in high school, he played such sports as water polo and swimming. His swimming talent eventually earned him a scholarship to college. He only spent one year at college, being invited to play drums for Stevie Wonder. In the '80s and '90s, he played drums for Michael Jackson and Whitney Houston. He played on Whitney's famous hit, "I Will Always Love You". Lawson has a one note "solo" in the song, where he hits the toms before Whitney's dramatic vocal finale. He said that this was his favorite solo of his career.^[4]

In addition to the artists listed above, Lawson collaborated with Quincy Jones, Bette Midler, Russell Ferrante, Toto, Al Jarreau, George Benson, Lionel Richie, and George Duke. He also co-authored the Pointer Sisters' hit "Uh-Uh", and co-produced their album Serious Slammin' and the Fattburger hit "Good News".^[5]

He was the drummer for Michael Jackson's Bad Tour in 1987-1989 and Dangerous Tour in 1992–1993. He was the drummer for Phil Collins' Both Sides tour in 1994-1995 and the Dance into the Light Tour in 1997. He also performed with Phil Collins for his MTV Unplugged session in 1994.

Lawson appeared on Steely Dan's Two Against Nature studio album, as well as their live album and tour DVD, Two Against Nature: Steely Dan's Plush TV Jazz-Rock Party. He also appeared on Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds' MTV Unplugged live album and DVD in 1997.

Lawson became disoriented while performing at the Spaghettini jazz club on December 13, 2013 in Seal Beach, California. He was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm and treated at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.^[6] He died on December 23, 2013, aged 59, when he was removed from life support after ten days.^[3]

In one of his final studio recordings,^[7] Lawson appears on 8 of 13 tracks of well-known bassist and Fourplay founding member Nathan East's eponymous album, released in March 2014. The album dedication In memory of Ricky Lawson appears as the final statement in the liner notes.

Solo album

In 2001, Lawson released the solo album Ricky Lawson and Friends,^[8] on which he performed, arranged, produced, and wrote all of the songs in collaboration with leading artists Gerald Albright, Phil Collins, George Duke, Sheila E., Nathan East, Donald Fagen, Jon Herington, Robben Ford, James Ingram, Boney James, Al Jarreau, Kirk Whalum, Vesta Williams, and others. The album is a blend of R&B, pop, and jazz.

Christmas album

In 2008, Lawson put together a classic Christmas CD, Christmas with Friends, with special guests Ron Reinhardt and Philippe Saisse on acoustic piano, Rick Braun on trumpet, Richard Elliot, Michael Paulo, and Steve Alaniz on sax, Paul Brown, Adam Hawley and Iam Keene on guitar, Lenny Castro on percussion, Roberto Vally and Sekou Bunch on bass.

Discography

With Yellowjackets

• 1981: Yellowjackets
• 1983: Mirage a Trois
• 1985: Samurai Samba
• 1986: Shades

As leader

• 1997: First Things 1st
• 2001: Ricky Lawson and Friends
• 2008: Christmas with Friends

As sideman

• 2000: Two Against Nature (Steely Dan)
• 2014: Nathan East

References

1. "Drummer Ricky Lawson Dead at 59". Billboard. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
2. "Ricky Lawson, Drummer on Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You,' Dead at 59". Spin. 2013-12-26. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
3. "Drummer Ricky Lawson, founding member of Yellowjackets, dead at 59". Los Angeles Times. 24 December 2013.
4. "Ricky Lawson". LA Music Awards. Retrieved 2021-01-14.
5. "Ricky Lawson Biography". Drummerworld. Retrieved 24 December 2013.
6. McCollum, Brian (December 24, 2013). "Drummer Ricky Lawson dies in California hospital; 'one of the greatest ... of our time'". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
7. "Nathan East interview, Bass Musician Magazine". Retrieved 1 March 2014.
8. Henderson, Alex. "Ricky Lawson and Friends". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 23 December 2013.

External links

• Ricky Lawson discography at Discogs  
• Ricky Lawson at IMDb
• Ricky Lawson on The Steely Dan News Page 2016-04-21 at the Wayback Machine