Marshall "Rock" Jones Of The Ohio Players Passed Away!

Marshall "Rock" Jones passed away. He was one of the original members of the legendary Ohio Players.

The bassist of the legendary funk band The Ohio Players passed away. Marshall Jones died in his home in Houston, Texas, according to the Associated Press.

Marshall "Rock" Jones was an original member of the Dayton-based funk/rock group. His daughters Donna Williams and Charlotte Phillips had said that their father peacefully in his sleep.

He was one of the original members of The Ohio Players. The band formed in 1959 as the Ohio Untouchables and it included Robert Ward, Clarence "Satch" Satchell, Cornelius Johnson, and Ralph "Pee Wee" Middlebrook. Ward would eventually leave the group and they added LeRoy "Sugarfoot" Bonner to the group and then they would become the legendary Ohio Players.

"We appreciate all of the support and prayers,”  Donna Williams said. “We lost not only a father, a grandfather and an uncle, we lost an icon to the community and an icon to his family.”

The family is planning a memorial in Dayton. Details will be announced later.

James "Diamond" Williams,  the Ohio Players' leader said Jones will be missed.

“He was inventive, and he was creative.  He was a great musician,” said Williams. “Marshall Jones contributed greatly, and we will miss him.”

The Dayton native was 75.

Jones was with the Ohio Players during the height of the legendary band’s success.

He was a member when the group started in Dayton in 1959 as the Ohio Untouchables.

Williams said Jones had battled cancer and had suffered a recent stroke.

He is pushing for a Dayton street to be named for the Ohio Players while some members are still living.

From their beginnings in Dayton, The Ohio Players gained international acclaim with a long list of hits that include "Fire," "Love Rollercoaster," "I Wanna be Free," "Pain," "Funky Worm," "Skin Tight," "Honey" and "Sweet Sticky Thing."

World News Today send our condolences to the family of Marshall "Rock" Jones.