Kool & the Gang co-founder Dennis Thomas passes away

Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, a founding member of the long-running soul-funk band Kool & the Gang recognized for such hits as “Celebration” and “Get Down On It,” has died. He was 70.
He died peacefully in his sleep Saturday in New Jersey, the place he was a resident of Montclair, based on an announcement from his consultant.
Thomas was the alto sax participant, flutist and percussionist. He served as grasp of ceremonies on the band’s reveals. His final look with the group was July Fourth on the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
FILE – In this Nov. 7, 2014 file picture, George Brown, Ronald Bell, Dennis Thomas and Robert ‘Kool’ Bell of Kool and the Gang arrive through the 2014 Soul Train Awards on the Orleans Arena at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Omar Vega/Invision/AP, File)
Born Feb. 9, 1951, in Orlando, Florida, Thomas was recognized for his prologue on the band’s 1971 hit, “Who’s Gonna Take the Weight.” Known for his hip garments and hats, he was additionally the group’s wardrobe stylist. In the early days, he served as their “budget hawk,” carrying their earnings in a paper bag stuffed into the bell of his horn, the assertion stated.

In 1964, seven teen associates created the group’s distinctive bland of jazz, soul and funk, at first calling themselves the Jazziacs. They went via a number of iterations earlier than deciding on Kool & the Gang in 1969. The group’s different founders are brothers Ronald and Robert Bell, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown and Charles Smith.

Ronald Bell died Sept. 9, 2020, at dwelling within the U.S. Virgin Islands at age 68.
The band has earned two Grammy Awards and 7 American Music Awards. They had been honored in 2014 with a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award. Their music is closely sampled and featured on movie sound tracks, together with these for “Rocky,” “Saturday Night Fever” and “Pulp Fiction.”
Among these Thomas is survived by are his spouse, Phynjuar Saunders Thomas, daughter Tuesday Rankin and sons David Thomas and Devin Thomas.