Sunday, at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Milan B. Williams, keyboardist and one of the original founding members of the Commodores, lost his life to cancer. The musicians who met in college at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in the late 60's, got together and formed a band later to become internationally famous and known as the Commodores.


Williams wrote the first hit for the band, Machine Gun. Later hits of the band included Brick House, Easy, and Three Times A Lady. When lead singer Lionel Richie left the band to strike out on his own, Williams remained with the original band members.

"He was once, twice, three times a brother and we love him. He gave all that he could give to the Commodores. He'll always be remembered," said Commodores band member Walter Orange. Williams was 58.