R.I.P.: Dennis Thomas, Kool & The Gang Founding Member

Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, founding member of iconic soul and funk band Kool & The Gang, died peacefully at the age of 70 in his home in New Jersey, the group said in an announcement.

The NY Post reports Thomas was born in 1951 in Orlando, Florida, and formed his first band in 1964 — The Jazzies — with seven of his teenage friends: brothers Ronald Bell and Robert “Kool” Bell, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown and Charles Smith.

The group infused their jazz, blues, soul and funk influence and eventually become the influential Kool & The Gang in 1969.

They went on to win two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 top-10 R&B hits, 9 top-10 pop hits and 31 platinum albums with major hits such as “Get Down On It,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Celebration.”

Thomas was an accomplished musician on several different instruments including the alto saxophone, flute, and percussion. He was also known as the group’s wardrobe director, giving the band its distinct, funky look and the emcee of their live performances.

Thomas played his final show with the band at a July 4, 2021 concert at the Hollywood Bowl.

He was a longtime resident of Montclair, New Jersey.

“Celebration” was inducted into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry, Class of 2020, on March 24, 2021.

Another founding member of Kool & The Gang, Ronald Bell died last September at age 68.

In 1964, seven teenage friends came together, brothers Ronald Bell and Robert “Kool” Bell, and friends Dennis Thomas, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith, created a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk. At first calling themselves the Jazziacs, the band went through various name changes before settling on their famous moniker. Kool & the Gang officially launched in 1969 and are now true funk, soul, R&B and pop legends.

The band has earned two GRAMMY® Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. In addition, their bulletproof funk and jazzy arrangements made them the most sampled band of all time. Kool & the Gang’s music was also featured on the soundtracks of countless films including the classics Rocky, Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction. From Nairobi to New York, Kool & the Gang continues to perform, longer than any R&B group in history.