Kool & The Gang
Kool & The Gang is a crossover R&B-pop band from Jersey City, USA. They were formed in 1964 as a jazz band called The Jazziacs. In 1969 they signed to De-Lite Records and published their self-named album.
Kool & the Gang | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S. |
Genres | Jazz Funk Soul Disco Boogie Dance-pop Contemporary R&B |
Years active | 1969–present |
Labels | De-Lite, Mercury |
Website | www |
Members | Robert "Kool" Bell Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan) George Brown Clifford Adams Sonnie "Skip" Martin Shawn McQuiller Rodney Ellis Jirmad Gordon and Curtis "Fitz" Williams |
Past members | James "J.T." Taylor Rick Westfield (deceased) Claydes Charles Smith (deceased) Robert "Spike" Mickens (deceased) Dennis Thomas (deceased) |
In late 1970s they switched from pure deep funk to disco and they were more successful.
In band there is Robert Bell, Ronald Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas, Robert Mickens, Clifford Adams, James Taylor, Sonnie Martin, Rodney Ellis, Jirmad Gordon, and Shawn McQuiller.
Their song "Jungle Boogie" appears in 1994 movie Pulp Fiction.
Discography
Albums
- 1975: Spirit of the Boogie (US #48)
- 1979: Ladies Night (US #13)
- 1981: Something Special (US #12, UK #10)
- 1983: In The Heart (US #29, UK #18)
- 1984: Emergency (US #13)
Songs
- 1974: "Jungle Boogie" (US #4, US R&B #2)
- 1979: "Ladies' Night" (US #8, US R&B #1, UK #9)
- 1980: "Celebration" (US #1, US R&B #1, UK #7)
- 1981: "Get Down On It" (US #10, US R&B #4, UK #3)
- 1982: "Hi-De-Hi, Hi-De-Ho" (UK #29)
- 1984: "Tonight" (US #13, US R&B #1)
- 1985: "Fresh" (US #9, US R&B #1, UK #11)
Kool & The Gang Media
The group's 1974 single "Summer Madness" has appeared in numerous media, including in the 1976 drama film Rocky. It was also in a famous 2006 Nike advertisement featuring LeBron James
Kool & the Gang entered a four-album partnership with Brazilian producer Eumir Deodato