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Slain Dayton music legend Roger Troutman to be featured in cable series

Roger Troutman in an undated publicity photo probably from the early 1980s. Troutman, a musician and leader of the band Zapp, will be featured in a cable bio-series on the careers of successful artists or groups who, despite great talent, have been under-recognized or under-appreciated.

Contributed photo Roger Troutman in an undated publicity photo probably from the early 1980s. Troutman, a musician and leader of the band Zapp, will be featured in a cable bio-series on the careers of successful artists or groups who, despite great talent, have been under-recognized or under-appreciated.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Roger Troutman in an undated publicity photo probably from the early 1980s. Troutman, a musician and leader of the band Zapp, was shot and killed by his brother, Larry Troutman, on April 25, 1999.

Contributed photo Roger Troutman in an undated publicity photo probably from the early 1980s. Troutman, a musician and leader of the band Zapp, was shot and killed by his brother, Larry Troutman, on April 25, 1999.

ENLARGE PHOTO

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By Kelli Wynn, Staff Writer Updated 4:35 PM Wednesday, June 24, 2009

DAYTON — The life of Dayton-based music legend Roger Troutman is currently scheduled to be featured in the TV One bio series Unsung, according to Lynn McReynolds, spokeswoman for the Maryland-based cable network.

The Troutman episode is currently scheduled to air in November.

Unsung, which is in its second season, airs each Sunday and features hour-long biographies on the lives and careers of successful artists or groups who, despite great talent, have been under-recognized or under-appreciated, according to a press release that the cable network issued last month.

Troutman died at the age of 47 on April 25, 1999, as the result of a murder-suicide. Dayton Police said Roger’s brother Larry Troutman shot him four times in an alley behind Troutman Studios on Salem Avenue. A short time later, Larry turned the gun on himself while in his car on Harvard Boulevard. He was 54.

The brothers were the founders of the electro-funk band Zapp best known for songs like “More Bounce to the Ounce” and “Computer Love.”

The focus of the latest Unsung episode is the late Florence Ballard, who TV One said was the co-founder of The Supremes and replaced as lead singer by Diana Ross. Ballard died at age 32. The episode featuring her life is scheduled to air 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 28; 10 p.m. on July 2 and July 3 at noon and midnight.

TV One is based in Silver Springs, Md. and its investors include Radio One, Comcast and DirecTV Group.

For more information about TV One or the Unsung series, visit www.tvoneonline.com.

Staff Writer Khalid Moss contributed to this report.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2414 or kwynn@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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