Greenwood, Archer, and Pine are three streets in Tulsa’s historic Greenwood District, better known as Black Wall St. But for the Gap Band, Greenwood was more than history – it was home.
Originally the Greenwood Archer and Pine Street Band, the group soon shortened the name to the Gap Band. The moniker was an homage to the rich history of Black Wall Street.
The North Tulsa natives knew they were going to perform all over the world, and they were glad to educate anyone who was curious about their band's name on the history of Greenwood.
For years, fans have speculated that their hit song “You Dropped A Bomb On Me” was about the Greenwood Race Massacre. For the record, it’s not. However, member Charlie Wilson welcomes the misunderstanding because it brings attention back to the tragedy where white terrorists dropped bombs on Black people.
The Gap Band’s dedication to honoring their hometown and the legacy of Black Wall Street shows that we can all find ways to honor our history. We can light a fire for our future when we embrace our past, making it outstandingly bright.