Ricky Lawson

One of my all time favorite groove masters has made the transition: I first heard Ricky with Yellow Jackets. Man, could he lay down a groove. remember him working with the "Jackson 5" organization. I heard him at giant stadium back in the 1980's and I must say the band was rocking'! He will always have a special place in my mental archive and a permanent address in my mind.

Boomer

http://www.discogs.com/George-Duke-A-Brazilian-Love-Affair/release/382514

That was when I first made contact
with Ricky and he instantly influenced
me.  Of course, George had it in for
all of us and that he would choose
Ricky was enough of an endorsement.

Jack-hammer groove and quarter-note
quintessence.  I am cut to the quick.
I am listening to him, right now.  He
was only a few years older than me.
My understanding is that this occurred
while he was playing.  I am just shocked
and hurt.  He is a part of me.

Now, after checking and then making a statement on this site about Ricky, I went to Wikipedia before I went to sleep last night only to see that Ricky's demise had yet to be confirmed. Now, I have just found out that he in fact has passed on but there has still been no official announcement to that effect. Sometimes life can be so unpredictable……………… Nonetheless, we've lost a very special personality on all fronts.

Boomer

I saw Ricky perform here in San Jose at a place called
the "Cabaret" with the "Yellow Jackets". Absolutely SMOKIN!
Like Billy said, he had a very special way of laying down grooves
like no one else. Incredible player that made everyone's project
he worked on feel good! Ricky had a way of making it work every
single time and was among the highest sought after drummers ever!
Probably THE most sought after next to Steve Gadd. I met him
briefly, a nice man. A major loss to both the drumming and music
community.

Rest in peace, R.L. Play your drum for him... "Rum-pa-pum-pum."