Kool & the Gang

Kool & the Gang Headshot

Band

R&B group Kool & the Gang enjoyed two distinct career phases during its heyday in the 1970s and early '80s: first as a groove-driven powerhouse in the Parliament/Earth, Wind & Fire vein with dance floor heavyweights like "Jungle Boogie," and later, as the more adult contemporary-minded act behind such ubiquitous soul-pop cuts as "Celebration" and "Cherish."

The group began in 1964 as the Jazziacs, an instrumental combo fronted by teenaged bassist Robert "Kool" Bell and his brother, Ronald, on brass, which played clubs and small theaters in their hometown of Jersey City, New Jersey. They expanded their audience by adding flourishes of soul and funk to their repertoire, which prompted a name change to Soul Town Band and club dates in New York City.

By 1969, they had adopted Kool & the Gang as their moniker, and recorded an eponymous debut album that same year, which reached No. 43 on the Billboard R&B charts. Substantial chart success would elude them for several years, though they remained a popular live act, until the release of their fourth album, Wild and Peaceful (1973), which rose to No. 6 on the R&B chart on the strength of three hit singles -- "Funky Stuff," "Jungle Boogie" and "Hollywood Swinging" -- which went to No. 1 on the R&B chart and No. 6 on the pop chart.

Subsequent releases failed to replicate this success, though Kool & the Gang would earn a Grammy for the inclusion of "Open Sesame" on the wildly successful "Saturday Night Fever" soundtrack. But with the inclusion of new vocalist James "J.T." Taylor" and jazz arranger Eumir Deodato as producer in 1979, the band's fortunes soared. Deodato burnished the band's funky grit to a high-gloss, pop-friendly sound that complimented Taylor's smooth delivery, resulting in a slew of singles that scored on both the R&B and Hot 200 charts.

"Ladies' Night" (1979) became their first R&B No 1 in five years, and was soon followed by five more chart-toppers" - "Celebration" (1980), "Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)," "Joanna" (1983), "Fresh" (1984) and "Cherish" (1985) - that earned Kool & the Gang seven consecutive gold or platinum albums. The band's second run of success petered out with the departure of Taylor for a solo career in 1986, though they continued to issue new albums into the 21st century.

Their back catalog remained in the public consciousness thanks to inclusions on film soundtracks ("Pulp Fiction," 1992) and through sampling by countless hip-hop artists, including Will Smith, N.W.A., Jermaine Dupri and De La Soul.

Cofounder and saxophonist Dennis "D.T. " Thomas, the band's onstage master of ceremonies and the man responsible for styling their clothes, as well as the father of actress Michelle Thomas, died August 7, 2021 at the age of 70.

Credits

Kool & The Gang Play Baloise Session

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2022

Festivales de verano 2018: Jazz Vitoria: Kool & the Gang

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2018

Play Hits - Astros da Disco Music 2

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2017

Greatest Hits

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2016

Kool and The Gang: Celebration (Live)

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2015

2014 Soul Train Awards: Extras

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2014

2014 Soul Train Awards

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2014

The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream

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2014

A Capitol Fourth

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2012

Rewind Festival

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2011

The TalkStream

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2010

Kool & The Gang: Get Down On It

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2009

Kool And The Gang: Cherish

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2009

Kool & The Gang: Fresh

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2006

Kool & The Gang: Celebration

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2006

Kool And The Gang: Celebration

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2006

Kool And The Gang: Fresh

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2006

Kool & The Gang: Misled

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2005

Kool & The Gang: Take My Heart

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2005

Dancing With the StarsStream

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2005

Kool & The Gang: Cherish

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2004

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

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2003

American Idol

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2003
68%

The View

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1997

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

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1992

Kool & The Gang: Let's Go Dancing (Ooh, La, La, La)

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1982

Kool & The Gang: Too Hot

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1979

Kool & The Gang: Ladies Night

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1979

Good Morning America

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1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

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1975

Today

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1952

News aboutKool & the Gang