Kool & The Gang’s newest Dennis Thomas – daughter Michelle Thomas died of cancer 22 years before Dee Tee died … – The US Sun

WHAT ALBUMS DID THOMAS PLAY ON?

Thomas performed on each of Kool & The Gang’s albums until their upcoming 25th studio album Perfect Union.

His alto saxophone features on several of their hits like “Ladies Night”, “Jungle Boogie”, “Too Hot” and “Celebration”.

Thomas also sang backing vocals as well as the occasional lead role, such as on Light of Worlds’ “Rhyme Tyme People”.

“RIP DENNIS THOMAS! »THE FANS SAY

Tributes to Dennis Thomas have spread on Twitter.

“RIP Dennis Thomas! I can’t thank you enough for the hours I spent at age 7 playing my parents’ Kool & The Gang’s Celebrate album over and over again. I still love this album to this day.” , wrote one person.

“Dude… Kool N The Gang just lost another founding member. Rest In Power, Dennis Thomas,” said another.

‘KOOL & THE GANG’ BORN IN 1969

Incorporating funk, soul as well as R&B influences, the Jazziacs became Kool & The Gang in 1969.

They then released their self-titled debut album the same year.

WHAT IS THE ORIGINAL GROUP?

In 1964, teenagers from New Jersey – brothers Ronald “Khalis” Bell and Robert “Kool” Bell and their friends “Dee Tee”, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown and Charles Smith – decided to form a group that s originally called the Jazziacs.

THOMAS ENSURED THE GROUP “ALWAYS TAKES FRESH AIR”

“Dennis’ prologue featured on the band’s 1971 hit, ‘Who’s Gonna Take the Weight’ is legendary and an example of his showmanship. Dee Tee was the band’s wardrobe stylist who made sure they always look fresh.

“At the start of the group, Dennis also served as the ‘budget hawk’, carrying the group’s income in a paper bag in the bell of his horn.”

THOMAS HAD A “HUGE PERSONALITY”

“A huge personality while being an extremely private person, Dennis was the alto saxophonist, flautist, percussionist as well as the band’s concert master of ceremonies,” the group’s statement continued.

GROUP STATEMENT

The group commemorated saxophonist Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas in a statement.

“An original member of Kool & The Gang, Dennis was known as the group’s quintessential cool cat, loved for his trendy clothes and hats and laid back demeanor,” the group said in a statement.

DEATH OF THE CO-FOUNDER OF KOOL & THE GANG

Kool & The Gang co-founder and saxophonist Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas has passed away at the age of 70.

The legendary funk outfit confirmed his death on Saturday saying he “passed away peacefully in his sleep” in New Jersey.

TRIBUTE TO THE NEW YORK STATE FAIR AT THOMAS

The Great New York State Fair Facebook page honored Dennis Thomas on Saturday.

“The great New York State Fair mourns the loss of a great musician,” the post began.

Kool & The Gang co-founder Dennis ‘Dee Tee’ Thomas passed away in his sleep today at his home in New Jersey at the age of 70. He and the band have performed at the Fair three times. , most recently in 2017. “

“Dee Tee played saxophone, flute and percussion and managed the band’s wardrobe,” the post notes.

FANS RESPOND TO THE DEATH OF DENNIS THOMAS

“Kool & The Gang has been the soundtrack to many good times in life,” wrote one fan.

‘BELOVED HUSBAND AND DADDY DEAD’

Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, co-founder of legendary soul-funk band Kool and the Gang, passed away at the age of 70 on Saturday, the group said.

Thomas, “beloved husband, father and co-founder of Kool & the Gang, passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 70 in New Jersey,” the group said on Facebook.

Another founding member, Ronald Bell, died last year.

“An original member of Kool & the Gang, Dennis was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group, loved for his trendy clothes and hats and laid back demeanor,” wrote his bandmates.

THOMAS PERFORMED WITH ELTON JOHN

On June 30, 1984, Dennis Thomas performed on stage while supporting Elton John at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

NEW YORK STATE FAIR PAYS TRIBUTE TO THOMAS, WHO PERFORMED THOMAS

The Great New York State Fair Facebook page honored Dennis Thomas on Saturday.

“The great New York State Fair mourns the loss of a great musician,” the post began.

Kool & The Gang co-founder Dennis ‘Dee Tee’ Thomas passed away in his sleep today at his home in New Jersey at the age of 70. He and the band have performed at the Fair three times. , most recently in 2017. “

“Dee Tee played saxophone, flute and percussion and managed the band’s wardrobe,” the post notes.

THOMAS ENSURED THE GROUP “ALWAYS TAKES FRESH AIR”

“Dennis’ prologue featured on the band’s 1971 hit, ‘Who’s Gonna Take the Weight’ is legendary and an example of his showmanship. Dee Tee was the band’s wardrobe stylist who made sure they always look fresh, ”the group said in a statement.

“At the start of the band, Dennis also served as the ‘budget hawk’, carrying the band’s income in a paper bag in the bell of his horn.”

WHAT WERE KOOL & THE GANG’S BIGGEST HITS?

The group’s biggest songs include:

• Party
• Ladies Night
• Cherish
• Jungle Boogie
• Summer madness
• Sit on it
• Victory
• Awesome stuff
• Jeanne

“PASSED PEACEFULLY”

The legendary group announced Thomas’ death on Saturday August 7. The group said Thomas “passed away peacefully in his sleep” in New Jersey.

No cause of death was given.

Alongside Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, Robert “Spike” Micken, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky West, Thomas is one of the co-founders of the jazz group Kool & the Gang.

The New Jersey jazz group was formed in 1964. Some of the group’s hits include Celebration, Get Down On It, and Ladies’ Night.

FEATURED MUSIC IN PULP FICTION AND SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER

Kool & The Gang won two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards.

They were honored in 2014 with a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award.

Their music is heavily sampled and featured on movie soundtracks including those of Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, and Pulp Fiction.

Among those who survive Thomas are his wife, Phynjuar Saunders Thomas, his daughter Tuesday Rankin, and his sons David Thomas and Devin Thomas.

‘NO AGE LIMIT ON COOL’

In signature hues and wide-necked open shirts, Kool & The Gang claimed in 2007 that there is no age to be cool.

At the time, the band released a new album, their first studio album in 10 years, titled ‘Still Kool’.

The group that formed in New Jersey in 1964 has gone through several musical phases over the years, ranging from jazz to rhythm and blues and funk to disco.

Two of the group’s original four members, Robert “Kool” Bell, told Reuters: “Cool is fashion. Cool is what’s going on and what’s hot.

“I think the cool will be there when we’re long gone. People who are 75 and 80 can still be cool, there is no limit to being cool.”

FAN TRIBUTE TO DENNIS THOMAS

Air Force veteran Tommy Randolph is among dozens of Kool & The Gang fans to pay tribute after the death of Dennis Thomas.

He tweeted: “Thanks for the memories. We were grateful to see him and the Gang living in Tokyo in the 80s while stationed in Japan.

“Too bad we had to take a train back to base or we would have gone up in the room to party with you guys.”

Another fan tweeted: “I’m so sorry. May his memory be a blessing.”

One comment read, “I’m so sorry to hear of Dennis’ passing. My sincere condolences,” while another fan tweeted, “I’m so sorry to hear this. Our love to your Tampa fans!”

KOOL & THE GANG STATEMENT ON DEE TEE EXCEEDING

Dennis Dee Tee Thomas, founding member of longtime soul-funk band Kool & the Gang known for hits such as Celebration and Get Down On It, has passed away. He was 70 years old.

He died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday in New Jersey, where he resided in Montclair, according to a statement from his representative.

BORN IN ORLANDO, FLORIDA

Dennis Thomas was born February 9, 1951 in Orlando, Florida.

He was known for his prologue to the band’s 1971 hit, Who’s Gonna Take the Weight.

Thomas was also renowned for his trendy clothes and hats – he was the group’s wardrobe stylist.

At first, he served as their budget hawk, carrying their earnings in a paper bag stuffed into the bell of his horn, according to a statement.

JULY 4 LAST APPEARANCE WITH THE GROUP

Dennis Dee Tee Thomas, founding member of longtime soul-funk band Kool & the Gang known for hits such as Celebration and Get Down On It, has passed away.

The star was 70 years old.

He died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday in New Jersey, where he resided in Montclair, according to a statement from his representative.

Thomas was the alto saxophonist, flautist and percussionist.

He served as master of ceremonies during the group’s performances.

The musician’s last appearance with the band was on July 4 at the Hollywood Bowl in LA.

WHAT ARE DENNIS THOMAS COMPANIES SAYING?

“An original member of Kool & the Gang, Dennis was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group, loved for his trendy clothes and hats and laid back demeanor,” wrote his bandmates.

“Alto saxophonist, flautist, percussionist and master of ceremonies during the group’s performances,” he said farewell to the group on July 4 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the statement added.

HALL OF FAME

Kool and the Gang was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018.

He remains a favorite of DJs and is heavily sampled especially in the rap world, his tracks appearing in songs by artists such as Jay-Z, Nas, NWA, Tupac, The Wu-Tang Clan, Snoop Dogg, A Tribe. Called Quest and Busta Rhymes.

THOMAS BIGGEST HITS

In a 2015 interview with Rolling Stone, the Bell brothers credited Thomas with playing an instrumental role in the band’s hit “Who’s Gonna Take the Weight”.

“The introduction to [that song] is Dennis, ”said Ronald“ Khalis ”Bell.

“At the time, we were all looking for spirituality and stuff like that, so DT was the one who made that announcement on the song.”