'Motown Funk Brother' Guitarist Eddie Willis Dies At 82

Famous 70s Guitarist Eddie Willis Pa s ses Away At 82

• Guitarist Eddie Willis died at the age of 82.
• His daughter, Terez Willis confirmed his death on Monday, 20 August in his home in Gore Spring, Mississippi.
• Terez revealed her father was suffering from polio since his childhood.
• He was one of the three Motown Funk Brother's original members.

One of the last members of Motown Funk Brother guitarist, Eddie Willis died on Monday, 20th August at his home in Gore Spring, Mississippi. He was aged 82.

Willis' daughter Terez Willis confirmed her father's death to Detroit Free Press. She also told the outlet that her father had been suffering from polio since his childhood.

Guitarist Joe Messina and percussionist, Jack Ashford are the only remaining original members of the band after the death of Willis. The group's legacy came into wide prominence after their award-winning doc u mentary Standing in the Shadows of Motown in 2002.

Willis, also known as 'Chank' joined the group in 1959 and worked with the group until the 1970s when the group conducted in Los Angeles. Soon, he returned to Detroit, working as a touring guitarist along with Eddie Kendricks.

Fellow guitarist Dennis Coffey said,

He was the funkster, Eddie was. He was an amazing guitar player. He had that Southern thing.

He continued,

He'd always come up with some funky lines. We did many sessions together and he was just an all-around nice guy. I never heard him get angry at anybody about anything. He just came in and did his job.

The late guitarist is survived by his wife Rose and children. Rest In Peace Willis.