SANTA MONICA, Calif. (CelebrityAccess) Melvin Ragin, better known as “Wah Wah Watson,” 67, a member of Motown’s Funk Brothers, died at a hospital in Santa Monica, Calif., Oct. 24.
Ragin, known for his skills with the wah-wah pedal, recorded several Motown artists as part of its famed studio band. His work is recognized on The Temptations’ “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone” plus recordings for The Jackson 5, The Four Tops, Gladys Knight & The Pips and The Supremes, among others. During the disco era, he recorded for and composed songs with The Pointer Sisters.
His work continued throughout recent years and he can be heard on recent recordings by Janet Jackson, Maxwell, Angie Stone and Alicia Keys. Other artists he lent his skills to were Michael Jackson, The Beach Boys, Marvin Gaye and Herbie Hancock.
Ragin was born in Richmond, VA., and moved to Detroit where he became a member of the Funk Brothers.
