Billy Bannister is shown on the left in photo (courtesy of Colton Thomas)
(February 22, 2022) In a tragedy that will touch soul music fans around the world, Billy Bannister, who served as emcee and road manager for the legendary group the Temptations, has died in while travelling on a flight from Atlanta to Nassau Bahamas.
According to the Bahamas Press, Bannister remained in his seat on the plane long after the flight landed, leading the other passengers to believe he was asleep. However, flight attendants were unable to wake him, and attending medical officers found him to be dead.
Bannister (shown on the left in the photo) was a fixture in the soul music community, first as road manager for Eddie Kendricks in the 1970s, and later serving that role for Kendricks’ former group, the Temptations. He later also served as emcee for the group’s concerts around the world.
(February 22, 2022) In a tragedy that will touch soul music fans around the world, Billy Bannister, who served as emcee and road manager for the legendary group the Temptations, has died in while travelling on a flight from Atlanta to Nassau Bahamas.
According to the Bahamas Press, Bannister remained in his seat on the plane long after the flight landed, leading the other passengers to believe he was asleep. However, flight attendants were unable to wake him, and attending medical officers found him to be dead.
Bannister (shown on the left in the photo) was a fixture in the soul music community, first as road manager for Eddie Kendricks in the 1970s, and later serving that role for Kendricks’ former group, the Temptations. He later also served as emcee for the group’s concerts around the world.
There are so many unsung heroes that help bring the joy of music to fans around the world, and Billy Bannister was a man who played that role on the largest of stages, with the most iconic of groups. Rest in peace.
Billy's family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses. See it HERE