Milan Williams facts for kids

Milan B. Williams (born March 28, 1948 – died July 9, 2006) was an American keyboard player. He was also a founding member of the famous music group The Commodores.

Life Story

Milan Williams was born in Okolona, Mississippi. He started playing the piano because his older brother, Earl, played many instruments and inspired him. Milan's first band was called The Jays.

After The Jays broke up, Milan met the other original members of The Commodores in 1967. They were all new students at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Milan joined their new band. In 1969, he went with the band to New York City. There, they recorded a song called "Keep on Dancing" with Atlantic Records.

Milan Williams also wrote "Machine Gun". This was an instrumental song, meaning it had no singing. It became The Commodores' first big hit record. He wrote many other songs for the band too. Some of these include "The Bump," "Rapid Fire," "I'm Ready," "Better Never Than Forever," "Mary Mary," and "Brick House." He also produced the song "Only You" from their album Commodores 13. This was the first album without Lionel Richie.

In 1980, Milan was flying his small plane to a concert. The engine had problems, and he had to land it on a freeway in Phoenix, Arizona. Milan and the band's press agent, Lester Mornay, quickly jumped out. They were safe just before the plane caught fire.

He left The Commodores in 1989.

Later Life and Passing

Milan Williams passed away from cancer on July 9, 2006. He was 58 years old. He died at MD Anderson Hospital in Houston, Texas. He was buried at Zion Spring Cemetery in his hometown of Okolona.

See also

• In Spanish: Milan Williams para niños

Images for kids

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  A robot, symbolizing the "Machine Gun" song.