Melvin “Wah Wah Watson” Ragin who was a member of Motown’s Funk Brothers passed Wednesday (Oct. 24th) in Santa Monica, California at the age of 67. Ragin’s professional name came from his famous ability with the wah-wah pedal on his guitar in songs like The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rolling Stone” and Marvin Gaye’s “Let’s Get It On.” Ragin recorded with the biggest artists of the past 50 years as a Funk Brother and solo player. The Jackson 5, Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Michael Jackson and The Beach Boys were among the artists who utilized his sound. In the ’90s and 2000s he can be heard on Maxwell’s Urban Hang Suite, albums from Meshell Ndegeocello, Janet Jackson and most recently Tyrese. In 1994, he appeared on the Stolen Moments: Red, Hot & Cool album with Lester Bowie and Digable Planets as part of an effort to raise awareness about A.I.D.S. in the Black community. Watson released one solo album in 1976.Â
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