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According to NPR, Kool & The Gang co-founder Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, who played alto saxophone and flute in addition to being the band’s emcee at live performances, has passed away. The news was confirmed by a statement from a representative for Thomas, who said he “died peacefully in his sleep” over the weekend. Thomas was 70 years old.
Thomas was born in Florida in 1951 and, along with Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell and George Brown, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Ricky Westfield and Charles Smith, he was one of the early co-founders of the jazz group. who would go on to become Kool & The Gang in the mid-60s. Most of the original members also attended high school together in New Jersey. After performing for a while as a Motown cover band, the band decided to embark on a more serious professional musical career and became Kool & The Gang in 1969 when they signed a recording contract with De-Lite Records.
The group has won several Grammy Awards, creating a very successful mix of jazz, soul and funk and releasing hit singles like “Jungle Boogie”, “Ladies Night,” Celebration “and” Get Down On It “from ‘albums. like Something special, Celebrate, and Ladies’ night. The group has sold over 70 million albums. Thomas, in particular, featured prominently in the intro to “Who’s Gonna Take The Weight”, with NPR adding that his representatives’ statement indicated that he was also the group’s “wardrobe stylist” (thanks to his penchant for stylish clothes and unique hats). Her last appearance with Kool & The Gang was earlier this year at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Ronald Bell, one of the other founding members of Kool & The Gang, passed away suddenly in September of last year. Thomas is survived by his wife, daughter and two sons.
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