American singer, Colonel Abrams, a pioneer of house and dance music in the 1980s, has died at the age of 67.
The man famous for his 1985 track, ‘Trapped’, which was a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic, died a year after it was revealed he was living homeless on the streets of New York.
His death was announced on Facebook by friend DJ Tony ‘Tune’ Herbert who said he died on Thursday November 24.
He wrote: “Just got word that Colonel Abrams has past away on Thanksgiving, one year to the date that I along with… a host of his biggest fans fought to get him to let us help him.
“Now he is at peace and our condolences go out to his family, and fans world wide, he is no longer suffering or Trapped!!! (sic)”
The singer was found to be living on the streets of New York last year and was suffering from diabetes.
With no health insurance or home, friends opened a GoFundMe page to encourage fans to send him money.
It is not known where Abrams was living when he died.
A GoFundMe page to raise money for his funeral was launched by Carla Abrams, who says she is his daughter-in-law, in the wake of his death. She said the funeral would be held next week.
“So, as some of you may have heard or you may not have heard that Colonel Abrams passed away on Thursday, November 24, 2016, which would have been on Thanksgiving Day. Yes, the rumour is true. The family is in emotional pain, but they’re staying strong for one another,” she wrote on the page.
Abrams scored his first major hit in 1984 with ‘Music Is the Answer’ on the independent label Streetwise
His most popular song, ‘Trapped’, reached the top five in the UK Singles Chart and topped the US Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in 1985, followed by his self-titled album, which spent two weeks at number one the following year.
‘I’m Not Gonna Let You’, also from the album, spent a week at number one in the dance chart in 1986.
The moment I saw his name the song “I’m trapped” came to my mind. Wished he was actually set free before he died.
may Col Abrahams soul find peace with God. Amen