Lots of folks in the local music community are mourning the loss of R&B singer Winston Ford, who was killed in an auto accident over the weekend. Today’s Denver Post had a nice tribute:

Ford, 55, was returning to Denver from Evergreen about 1:30 a.m. and apparently lost control of his car, said his sister, Jennifer Keel of Denver.

A service is planned at 11 a.m. Friday at New Hope Baptist Church, 3701 Colorado Blvd.

A “Winston Ford Farewell Jam Session and Fund-raiser” is planned at 5 p.m. Sunday at the Kiva, 3090 Downing St. Money will go to his grandchildren.

Ford had his first “gig” when he was about age 5, playing a little boy in the University of Denver production of “Show Boat,” his sister said.

…

Ford toured as a vocalist with The Platters; Earth, Wind and Fire; and the Drifters, said his daughter, LaNeice Ford.

Locally, he sang and sometimes played percussion, his daughter said, with groups performing at The Church, Patrick’s in Aurora, Brendan’s Pub, The Little Bear in Evergreen and the Supreme Court, in the Adam’s Mark Hotel downtown.

His most recent group was Phat Daddy.

Here’s a short snippet of Winston singing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” with Lannie Garrett.

P.S. It still amazes me that a song that pretty could have played a part in the start of anything as hateful as Al Qaeda.

Daniel Brogan
Daniel Brogan
Daniel Brogan is the founder and former CEO and editor-in-chief of 5280.