News of Stooges guitarist Ron Asheton’s death is still making waves among rock fans around the world, but music fans are in for more bad news today as belated reports are surfacing regarding the death of a Motown legend.

Robert Ward passed away December 25 at age 70, according to a report posted earlier today by Billboard. While the name may not immediately ring a bell, the music this guitarist helped create will be remembered for years to come.

A founding member of the Ohio Players, Ward was behind well-known songs such as “Fire” and “Love Rollercoaster,” the latter a funk hit that found renewed success thanks to a popular version recorded by the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ward’s colorful, vibrato-drenched guitar tone was an instantly recognizable part of most of the songs he played on. Continue reading »