Kool & The Gang founding member Dennis Thomas dead at 70

Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas, a founding member of the long-running soul-funk band Kool & The Gang, has died. Thomas died peacefully in his sleep Saturday, Aug 7, 2021 in New Jersey, where he was a resident of Montclair. Photo: AP

Kool & The Gang alto sax player Dennis "Dee Tee” Thomas, an original member of the beloved soul-funk band known for its enduring party anthems Celebration and Get Down On It, has died.

Thomas "passed away peacefully in his sleep” Saturday (Aug 7) at the age of 70, a representative for the band confirmed.

A long-time resident of Montclair, New Jersey, Thomas was born on Feb 9, 1951 in Orlando, Florida, and was one of the seven Jersey City teens who got together in 1964 to form the instrumental soul-jazz group the Jazziacs.

The band, which included brothers Ronald Bell and Robert "Kool” Bell, and friends Thomas, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith, was impressive enough to occasionally play with jazz legends McCoy Tyner and Pharoah Sanders.

After honing their craft while trying different names, the friends officially launched Kool & the Gang in 1969.

"Dennis was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group, loved for his hip clothes and hats, and his laid-back demeanor. A huge personality while also an extremely private person,” a statement posted on the band’s Facebook page read. - dpa