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Legendary Ohio Players member dies

At 68, Ohio Players bassist Marshall "Rock" Jones is enjoying the quiet life in Jamestown. Staff photo by Bill Lackey

A Dayton, Ohio, funk music pioneer has died.

Ohio Players bassist Marshall "Rock" Jones died in Houston on Friday , his daughters Donna Williams and Charlotte Phillips confirmed.

"We appreciate all of the support and prayers,” 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.”

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

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

He 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. 

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."

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