(March 3, 2024) There was a time in my life when Heatwave was THE band. Two albums into their meteor-like career, I was all in. And even though tragedy after tragedy befell the group, they soldiered on for decades as a fan favorite. Over the years we have seen member after member of the group pass, and today we’re sad to report the death, at age 72, of the final member of the original lineup of the group, the ever-smiling drummer, Ernest “Bilbo” Berger. The Czech native reportedly died of a heart attack.
Former Heatwave bandmate J.D. Nicholas today shared with me his thoughts on Bilbo’s passing.
(March 3, 2024) There was a time in my life when Heatwave was THE band. Two albums into their meteor-like career, I was all in. And even though tragedy after tragedy befell the group, they soldiered on for decades as a fan favorite. Over the years we have seen member after member of the group pass, and today we’re sad to report the death, at age 72, of the final member of the original lineup of the group, the ever-smiling drummer, Ernest “Bilbo” Berger. The Czech native reportedly died of a heart attack.
Former Heatwave bandmate J.D. Nicholas today shared with me his thoughts on Bilbo’s passing.
I wanted to add my condolences along with the millions of other Heatwave music lovers around the world. My heart is heavy today as we say goodbye, and thank you to "Bro Bilbo" as we used to call him back in the day. He was indeed one of the baddest drummers in the land, and as funky as he could play drums, he was an amazing jazz drummer.
Thank you my friend Bilbo, and R.I.P. I shall never forget our time together on the stage, and off, you taught me so much, and I am proud to say I served my apprentership into the music biz under you, Johnny, Keith and Rod.
Heatwave, Always And Forever! J.D.
Though their time in the spotlight was relatively short, Heatwave remains one of the most beloved groups of the 70s. That they even made it as far and as long as they did was the result of an amazing ability to overcome even the most horrific obstacles, including the death of one member and two incidents that left other members paralyzed or severely injured.
Heatwave was formed by brothers Keith and Johnny Wilder the late 60s when they were U.S. servicemen stationed in Germany. The band went though various changes in personnel and finally settled in England as a septet featuring some of the best young player in Europe, including Berger and keyboardist/songwriter Rod Temperton. Heatwave became the first true international dance group, with members from the U.S, England, Czechoslovakia and Spain.
After gaining a strong following in Europe as a result of its energetic, often acrobatic shows, Heatwave began recording its first album, Too Hot to Handle, in 1976. In the first of many tragedies the group would face, guitarist Jesse Whittens was killed. He was replaced and the group finished Too Hot. After a couple of moderately successful cuts were released from the album in Europe, the album's lead single, "Boogie Nights," was issued and became an international #1 hit and one of the definitive songs of the disco era. The band followed it with the equally memorable ballad, "Always and Forever." Too Hot introduced the world to the funky, full beats that would become a Heatwave trademark, as well as to the compositions of Rod Temperton, who developed into one of the most important songwriters of the next decade.
1978's Central Heating continued Heatwave's winning streak, nabbing a top 5 spot with the scorching "Groove Line" and landing another popular hit with "Mind Blowing Decisions." The next year, however, would be the most trying for the group. At a time when their Hot Property LP was getting ready for release, bass guitarist Mario Mantese was stabbed by his girlfriend after an argument, leaving him in a coma for weeks and permanently disabled. He would never again play in the group. And a few months later lead vocalist Johnny Wilder was in a tragic auto accident in his home town of Dayton that ultimately left him paralyzed from the neck down.
While Heatwave was facing a series of challenges, group writer Temperton was just hitting his stride. In 1979 he began a decade-long role as the writing force behind Quincy Jones' greatest productions. He penned such smashes as "Off The Wall" and "Thriller" for Michael Jackson, "Stomp" for the Brothers Johnson and "Give Me The Night" for George Benson. His steady work as a writer led him to leave his active role playing with Heatwave, though he continued writing for the group.
Heatwave recruited solid new vocalist JD Nicholas (later a member of the Commodores) to replace Johnny Wilder on tour. Amazingly, Wilder, while paralyzed, came back to handle production and lead vocals on the group's next album, the moderately successful Candles. The band followed it up in 1982 with Current, their last album on Columbia Records and the swan song for Heatwave as a musical force.
Heatwave broke up in the late 80s as their popularity waned. Johnny Wilder used his experience as a spiritual awakening and became a noted producer of a cappella gospel in the 90s. He released two gospel albums, My Goal and One More Day, and produced a number of gospel albums for other acts. Sadly, he died on May 13, 2006 at his home near Dayton.
Keith Wilder re-formed Heatwave with Berger and some new members in the early 90s, and the group toured regularly, also recording a 1997 disc, Live and the Greek Theater. Berger left the group in the 00s, but Keith Wilder continued to perform with various lineups until his passing in 2017.
Now, with the passing of Bilbo Berger, we say sad final goodbye to the original lineup of one of the most beloved bands of an era. Rest in peace, Bilbo.
By Chris Rizik