A few weeks ago I was reading the Washington Post obituary section, where the recently deceased are often listed by their former occupation. There it was in big bold type:
"PIP"
this is the obit underneath it.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A56702-2005Feb26.htmlEdward Patten, 66, a member of the Grammy-winning Gladys Knight & the Pips, died of a stroke Feb. 18 at a suburban Detroit hospital, said his cousin, another member of the group.
The stroke stole Mr. Patten's incredible voice, which had a range from bass to tenor. Besides singing harmonies backing up the group's lead singer, Mr. Patten also served as one of the group's choreographers as well as the treasurer who made sure that promoters paid and that travel and accommodation plans were set.
The group -- Knight, her brother, Merald "Bubba" Knight, and their cousins William Guest and Patten -- recorded for Motown from 1966 to 1973 and for Buddah Records from 1973 to 1977. The group later recorded for CBS until it broke up in 1989. Their hits included "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and "Midnight Train to Georgia." The group won four Grammys and was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1996.