DAYTON — Everyone inside the 18th Hole bar on Bolander Avenue listening to Robert Ward perform knew when he was about to sing Wilson Pickett's song, "I Found a Love," according to Charles Stone, owner of Jazz Central.

"When he bent his head back, you couldn't hardly hear anything for the cheering," Stone, 67, said.

Years ago, Ward would play his guitar in the now defunct bar for about $600 a night, according to Stone. That was an upgrade from the pay Stone said Ward was making when he performed at the Blue Tango bar on Springfield Street. "He played there for $10 a night and all the drinks he wanted," Stone said.

The Blue Tango is where Stone said he met Ward, who founded the Ohio Untouchables blues band in 1959, according to Amazon.com. Ward eventually left the blues band after it split and the band, minus Ward, became the Ohio Players, according to Stone.

Mr. Ward died Christmas Day at his Georgia home, according to the Macon Telegraph. He was 70-years-old.

Stone said Mr. Ward "knew how to play the guitar and sing the blues like nobody's business...All the guys came to see him because he was the best."

One of the fans was Dayton Commissioner Dean Lovelace who said he was 18 when he started going to see Ward perform in local clubs in the 1960's.

Ward had a "nice sound to his voice," Lovelace said as he tried to sing "I Found a Love" over the telephone.

Lovelace recalled Ward's less than six foot stature and his processed, slicked-back hair do and cool outfits.

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