Ricky Wellman

Ricky “Sugarfoot” Wellman, born Ricardo Dalvert Wellman on April 11, 1956 in Bethesda, MD, was an Amerian funk drummer, best known for helping to innovate the rhythms used in Go-Go music — working with Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers and later touring with trumpeter, Miles Davis, and guitarist, Carlos Santana.

Ricky, whose father was Chuck Brown’s original drummer in the 1960s, joined the Soul Searchers in 1976 and played drums on three of the singer’s most popular recordings: "Bustin’ Loose" (1978), "We Need Some Money" (1984) and "Go-Go Swing" (1986).

Ricky appeared on Miles Davis' 1989 album, "Amandla," as well as Davis’s posthumously 1996 released concert album, "Live Around the World."

Ricky Wellman died of pancreatic cancer on November 23, 2013 at his home in Newport News, Virginia; he was 57.