R.I.P.: George Brown, Co-Founder Kool & the Gang

George Brown (1949-2023)

George Brown, a founding member of Kool & The Gang, died Thursday. Brown passed away after battling cancer, a representative for the band told Fox News Digital.

"George Brown, co-founder, drummer, songwriter of Kool & The Gang best known for the worldwide hits ‘Ladies Night,’ ‘Get Down on It,’ ‘Fresh,' 'Celebration,’ ‘Too Hot,’ 'Jungle Boogie,' ‘Joanna,’ died November 16, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA after a battle with cancer. He was 74," the statement said.

In 1964, Brown joined Ricky Westfield, Ronald Bell, Robert "Kool" Bell, Spike Mickens, Dennis Thomas and Charles Smith to create a combination of jazz and funk music.

By 1969, the group had settled on the name Kool & The Gang and officially became a band.

Along with drumming, Brown co-wrote a handful of songs including, "Ladies Night," "Too Hot," "Jungle Boogie," "Summer Madness," "Open Sesame," "Celebration" and "Cherish" among others.

"When asked to describe his music, Brown always replied with it’s ‘The sound of happiness,'" the press release stated.

Throughout Brown's career with Kool & The Gang, the band received two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards and 31 gold and platinum albums. The group's music has also been an inspiration to other artists, even in different genres.