Webster was born in Hamilton on Jan. 4, 1938.
Webster was the Ohio Players’ original drummer and former leader of the legendary funk group from Dayton from 1964 to 1973, according to the Funk Music Hall of Fame.
His grandson, Mitchell Webster, confirmed his grandfather died Friday morning at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. He also noted his grandfather’s death was not expected, though he had been in the hospital since New Year’s Eve.
The family has not yet learned the official cause of death, according to Mitchell Webster.
Webster’s grandson said his grandfather was full of stories from the band’s heydays. Mitchell Webster was close with his grandfather, even travelling with him to various awards ceremonies related to his musical career.
“I took plenty of trips with him regarding the Ohio Players” Mitchell Webster said. “So, we got a chance to have a lot of conversations about a lot of different things. He had some amazing stories.”
Mitchell Webster said his grandfather’s passion for funk and music all boiled down to “the creation of music.” So much so, that after Webster left the Ohio Players in the 70s, he continued drumming for Resurrection Church in Dayton for the next 30 or 40 years.
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