Kool and the Gang
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Kool and the Gang are american R&B/Soul Band who rose to fame via their hit single, "Let The Music Take Your Mind".
Contents |
Members
Robert "Kool" Bell
Ronald Bell (Khalis Bayyan)
George Brown
Robert Mickens
Dennis Thomas
Clifford Adams
James "J.T." Taylor
Rick Westfield
Claydes Charles Smith (deceased)
Sonnie "Skip" Martin
Shawn McQuiller
Rodney Ellis
About
Kool and the Gang was formed in New Jersey City im 1964 by the two sons of Bobby Bell, "Robert Bell" on bass and "Ronald Bell" on tenor saxophone. The two recruited "George Brown" on drums, "Robert Mickens" on trumpets, "Dennis Thomas" on saxophone, "Two Fingers Mikiel" on tuba, "Claydes Charles Smith" on guitar and "Rick Westfield" on keyboards. The group was originally called "The Jazziacs" and became the "Soul Town Band", then "The New Dimensions", and finally Kool & the Gang.
The group formed their own record company, De Lite. They first recorded n 1969, featuring their mix of soul-jazz instrumentals and party jams on their studio self-titled debut album, and two subsequent live albums, Live at the Sex Machine and Live at P.J.'s.
Thee group's fortunes exploded in 1974 with Wild and Peaceful, an infectiously raw album that spawned three smash hits, "Funky Stuff," "Hollywood Swinging," and "Jungle Boogie". However, as quickly as they rode to fame, Kool & the Gang faded, their rough sound appearing out of place against the slick, dance-oriented sounds that began to dominate popular radio in the late 70s.
Finally, they hired a true lead singer , "James "J.T." Taylor" and an outside producer, "Eumir Deodato" in 1979. They released their single, "Ladies Night" which became hit. Their next single, "Celebration" became number one in the US Dance Hits. Other hit singles are "Big Fun", "Get Down on It" and "Joanna".
The next five years brought hit after hit, including chart toppers "Misled," "Cherish," "Take My Heart," "Joanna," "Fresh" and "Let's Go Dancin". James left the group in 1987 to pursue a moderately successful solo career. They spent the next decade on the oldies circuit before James rejoined for a 1996 reunion tour and the album State of Affairs.
Chart Toppers
| Year | Title | US Hot 100 | US R&B | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Kool and The Gang | 59 | 19 | Kool and The Gang |
| 1970 | Let The Music Take Your Mind | 78 | 19 | Kool and The Gang |
| 1970 | Funky Man | 87 | 16 | Live at the Sex Machine |
| 1973 | Funky Stuff | 29 | 5 | Wild and Peaceful |
| 1974 | Jungle Boogie | 4 | 2 | Wild and Peaceful |
| 1974 | Hollywood Swinging | 6 | 1 | Wild and Peaceful |
| 1974 | Higher Plane | 37 | 1 | Wild and Peaceful |
| 1975 | Rhyme Tyme People | 63 | 3 | Light of Worlds |
| 1975 | Spirit of The Boogie | 35 | 1 | Spirit of The Boogie |
| 1975 | Carribean Festival | 55 | 6 | Spirit of The Boogie |
| 1976 | Love and Understanding (Come Together) | 77 | 8 | Love & Understanding |
| 1979 | Ladies Night | 8 | 1 | Ladies Night |
| 1979 | Too Hot | 5 | 3 | Ladies Night |
| 1980 | Celebration | 1 | 1 | Celebrate! |
| 1983 | Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh La, La, La) | 30 | 7 | As One |
| 1983 | Joanna | 2 | 1 | In The Heart |
News
Tours & Concerts
2008 Tours
Jan 19, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Jan 20, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Jan 21, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Jan 22, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Jan 23, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Jan 24, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Jan 25, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Jan 26, 2008 All Star Smooth Jazz Cruise, San Diego California, United States
Announcements
There are no announcements as of this time
Discography
Albums
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Singles
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Kool and The Gang | De Lite |
| 1970 | Let The Music Take Your Mind | De Lite |
| 1973 | Funky Stuff | De Lite |
| 1974 | Jungle Boogie | De Lite |
| 1974 | Hollywood Swinging | De Lite |
| 1974 | Higher Plane | De Lite |
| 1975 | Rhyme Tyme People | De Lite |
| 1975 | Spirit of The Boogie | De Lite |
| 1975 | Carribean Festival | De Lite |
| 1979 | Ladies Night | De Lite |
| 1980 | Celebration | De Lite |
Compilations & Live Releases
| Date | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Live at the Sex Machine | De Lite |
| 1971 | Live at P.J.'s | De Lite |
| 1974 | Kool Jazz | De Lite |
| 1974 | The Best | De Lite |
| 1975 | Kool and The Greatest Hits! | De Lite |
| 1981 | Kool and The Gang's Past Hits | De Lite |
| 1982 | Kool Kuts | De Lite |
| 1985 | Kool and The Gang at Their Best | De Lite |
| 1988 | Everythings' Kool and The Gang | Mercury |
| 1988 | Greatest Hits and More | Polydor |
| 1990 | Ballad Collection | Alex |
| 1990 | Dance Collection | Alex |
| 1990 | Kool and The Gang Spin Their Top Hits | De Lite |
| 1991 | 14 Love Songs | Alex |
| 1991 | Best of Kool and The Gang | Metronome |
| 1992 | Anthology | Alex |
| 1992 | Remix Collection | Alex |
| 1992 | Back To Back: The Best of Kool and The Gang | Priority |
| 1992 | Back To Back | K-Tel |
| 1992 | Best of 2 Super Acts on 1 Great Compact Disc | K-Tel |
| 1992 | Celebration | Polygram |
| 1993 | The Best of Kool and The Gang 1969-1976 | Mercury |
| 1994 | Collection | Essex |
| 1994 | Celebration:The Best of Kool and The Gang | Mercury |
| 1995 | Hollywood Swinging | Rebound |
| 1995 | Ladies Night | Rebound |
| 1995 | Kool and The Gang | Delta |
| 1996 | New York City Koo | Synergie Omp |
| 1996 | Greatest Hits Live | Milan |
| 1998 | All Time Greatest Hits | Curb |
| 1998 | Great and Remixed' 91 | Polygram Germany |
| 1998 | All The Best | Curb |
| 1998 | Great Kool and The Gang Live | Goldies |
| 1999 | Singles Collection | UCA |
| 1999 | The Very Best of Kool and The Gang | Mercury |
| 1999 | 12 Collection and More | Mercury |
| 1999 | 3 CD Collection | IMS |
| 1999 | In Concert | Koch |
| 2000 | 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Kool and The Gang | Universal |
| 2000 | Collection | Karussell |
| 2000 | Universal Masters Collection | Universal |
| 2000 | Collection | Karussell |
| 2001 | Selection | Proper |
| 2001 | Ladies Night/Good Time | Dreamworks |
| 2001 | Kool Funk Essentials | Singular |
| 2002 | Live on Stage | Music Deluxe |
| 2002 | Too Hot Live | BCI |
| 2002 | Most Famous Hits: The Album | Planet |
| 2002 | Live in Concert | Spectrum |
| 2002 | Funk Collection | Spectrum |
| 2003 | Master Serie | Prism |
| 2003 | All The Hits Live | Masters |
| 2003 | Star Boulevard | Mercury |
| 2003 | Live Hits | Rhino Flashback |
| 2003 | Gangthology | Universal International |
| 2004 | Live Series | E |
| 2004 | 25 Dance Tracks | Excel |
| 2004 | Gold Collection | Retro Music |
| 2004 | Odyssey | Edel Germany |
| 2004 | The Best of Kool and The Gang: Live | Essentials |
| 2005 | Gold | Mercury |
| 2005 | Fat Selection Live | Going For A Song |
| 2006 | Feel The Funk | Rajon |
| 2006 | Golden Legends | Madacy |
| 2006 | 80's Legends | Solo |
| 2006 | Platinum Collection | Platinum |
| 2007 | Reloaded | Recall |
| 2007 | Super Hits Live | Sbme Special MKTS. |
| 2007 | Colour Collection | Spectrum |
Other artists
Similar artists
Contemporaries
Influences
Trivia
Reviews
External Links
Categories: Artist | R&B | Soul
