(KRON) — D’Wayne Wiggins, guitarist and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone!, has died, in accordance with a social media put up from his household. The guitarist, who was a local of Oakland, had been battling bladder most cancers.
“With broken hearts, we share with you that our beloved D’Wayne passed away this morning surrounded by family and loved ones,” the Wiggins Household wrote on Instagram. “Over the past year, he has been privately and courageously battling bladder cancer. Through this fight, he remained committed and present for his family, his music, his fans and his community.”
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Musician D’wayne Wiggins (D’wayne Patrice Wiggins) (previously of Tony! Toni! Toné!) performs on the Home Of Blues in Chicago, Illinois in March 2002. (Photograph By Raymond Boyd/Getty Photos)
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Wiggins, 64, was a multi-talented guitarist, singer, songwriter and producer. He burst onto the scene within the late Nineteen Eighties and early Nineties as one third of Tony! Toni! Tone!, a trio that injected the “new jack” swing of that period with components of gospel and traditional R&B.
From 1988 to 1996, the group positioned at least a dozen singles within the Billboard Prime 10 R&B/hip-hop chart, in accordance with AllMusic. Wiggins fashioned the group along with his half-brother, Rapheal Saadiq and their cousin Timothy Christian Riley.
“D’Wayne’s life was incomparable, and his music and service impacted millions around the world, including in his hometown of Oakland, California,” his household wrote. “He was a guitarist, producer, composer, philanthropist, mentor and founding member of Tony! Toni! Tone! He was deeply passionate about providing artist development and mentorship to emerging young musicians, helping to shape the early careers of many.”
Following the group’s cut up, Wiggins carved out a solo profession, releasing his debut album, “Eyes Never Lie,” on Motown Data in 2000.
“For now, we ask that you continue to respect our privacy,” the household wrote. “We mourn with you and are deeply grateful for your love and support.”
