According to SOS Band leader, the group’s longtime guitarist, Reginald “Reggie” Ward Sr., has died. He was 75.
Abdul Ra’oof, who leads SOS Band, in addition to playing trumpet, said Ward’s death is shocking to the group, although Ward had recently undergone hospice care. During hospice, Atlanta city officials, including Mayor Andre Dickens and city council members, honored Ward with a special proclamation for services rendered as a longtime Atlanta resident. Ward and his family resided in the Atlanta suburb of Lawrenceville.
Concerning his longtime friend, Ra’oof said Ward is an “irreplaceable talent” but the band will likely utilize replacement services of a couple of guitarists used as substitutes whenever Ward would work with his other band, Fred Wesley and the New JBs. Ward has worked with each band, simultaneously for over 20 years.
On his Facebook page, SOS keyboardist and record producer Reggie “Wizard” Jones, of Aliquippa, Pa., expressed his sorrow and noted that he and Ward shared stages for more than 25 years…