Beatmaster V
membranophone
b. 1959 in Los Angeles — d. 1996
Founded Body Count
Victor Ray Wilson (February 20, 1959 – April 30, 1996), better known as Beatmaster V, was an American musician, best known as the original drummer of metal band Body Count.
Early life
Wilson grew up in South Central, Los Angeles, and attended Crenshaw High School with Ice-T and Ernie C. As a musician he participated in music wherever he could, including church music with his local church. In his community and church, as a youth, Beatmaster V practiced drums and other instruments. He excelled in his musical ability at an early age. By the time he was 11 years old he played with the blues musician Lou Rawls, as a drummer. He continued on and took drum classes, and built more musical skill playing with various musicians like Ernie C.
Death
Wilson died of leukemia in 1996. Jonathon James, a family member, played with Body Count as a backup drummer on the album Violent Demise: The Last Days in place of Wilson.
Every band they have passed through, with what they played and when — and whether they were there at the start.
Where they came from, where they are, and who they are to other people.
- Born
- 1959-02-20 · Los Angeles
- Schooled at
- Crenshaw High School
- Also works as
- drummer
- Plays
- drum kit
- Died
- 1996-04-30
- How
- natural causes — leukemia
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