Dramatics founder Ron Banks dead at 54

Banks -- the vocalist who started the Dramatics while attending a Detroit high school in the 1960s -- died March 4 at Sinai Hospital, The Detroit News said.

His distinct falsetto powered 1970s Dramatics hits such as "Whatcha See is Whatcha Get," "In the Rain" and "Get Up and Get Down."

The group can be heard on Snoop Dogg's 1993 album, the News noted.

Among the celebrities attending Saturday's funeral was former boxer Thomas "Hitman" Hearns, who said Banks helped him make a record in the early '80s.

Hearns laughed remembering the project, saying: "Ron had me sounding like I knew what I was doing."

Family and friends spoke of Banks's charity work, saying he counseled inmates and helped with food and clothing drives as well as contributing money to several causes.

His survivors include his wife, Sandy, and six children.

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