Wayman Tisdale, former NBA star and jazz musician Photo Source:WaymanTisdale.com
According to his website, WaymanTisdale.com, in 2007, “Tisdale was diagnosed with bone cancer after he fell down a flight of steps and broke his leg. Knee replacement surgery and months of chemotherapy followed. And rebound took on a new significance once his right leg was amputated right above the knee in 2008.”
Although Tisdale showed promise on the bass from an early age, his tremendous athletic talent initially overshadowed his musical leanings. He played for the University of Oklahoma Sooners from 1983 to 1985 and became the first player to have his jersey retired. All three years at Oklahoma, Tisdale was named to the All American team, and in 1984 he played on the U.S. Olympic team which brought home the gold. In 1986 the Indiana Pacers selected Tisdale as the No. 2 overall draft pick behind Patrick Ewing. For the next 12 years, Tisdale left his mark on the NBA with the Pacers, Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns, scoring more than 12,800 points and pulling down more than 5,000 rebounds in a 12-year career. Before he retired after the 1997 season, Tisdale had already made the transition toward a career in music. In 1995 he released his debut CD, appropriately titled Power Forward, which climbed to No. 4 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz chart and, like all of his subsequent efforts, crossed over onto the R&B charts. In the Zone, Decisions and Face to Face all landed in Billboard’s Top 10, with 2001’s Face to Face going to No. 1, as did his last album, Way Up. In addition to “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” he took “Can’t Hide Love” and “Don’t Take Your Love Away” to No. 1 at radio. Even actor Jamie Foxx recognizes Tisdale’s enormous musical talents.
In a recent Rolling Stone interview, Foxx selected Wayman as part of his “dream band” along with Herbie Hancock, Wynton and Brandford Marsalis and Prince.
Tisdale will be the first to say that each project defines a moment in time and Rebound is no exception. “Each album has its own personality and its own edge and I think Rebound will carve its own niche. This record is definitely a reflection of me and where I’m at today.”
Tisdale is survived by his wife, four children, and granddaughter, Bailey.
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My sincere condolences to Mrs. Tisdale and the family. Thanks for sharing your husband’s talents (basketball skills and music) with us.
Wayman, you are gone but your music will live forever.
May God bless you.