A founding member of Kool & The Gang has passed away.
Kool & the Gang officially launched in 1969 after performing for five years under various band titles. Throughout their illustrious career, the group has influenced the music of three generations and become music industry legends.
Releasing iconic songs like “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie,” and “Open Sesame,” Kool & The Gang has earned two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, 25 Top Ten R&B hits, nine Top Ten Pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums. They have also performed continuously longer than any other R&B group in history.
It all started in 1964, when Ronald Bell and his brother, Robert “Kool” Bell, joined their Jersey City neighborhood friends Robert “Spike” Mickens, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create their own band.
Blending jazz, soul and funk, the group began first by calling themselves the Jazziacs, The New Dimensions, The Soul Town Band, and Kool & the Flames before eventually settling on Kool & The Gang.
Over the years, Kool & The Gang’s music has been sampled by other industry legends including The Beastie Boys, Madonna, Jay-Z, Janet Jackson, N.W.A. and The Killers. Their music is also featured on the soundtracks for blockbuster films including Rocky, Saturday Night Fever, Pulp Fiction, Wreck-It Ralph and countless others.
Unfortunately for fans of the famous group, one of the band’s founding members has sadly passed away.
George Brown, the longtime drummer for Kool & The Gang, died on November 16 at the age of 74. According to reports from Fox News Digital, the musician passed away after battling cancer.
“George Brown, co-founder, drummer, songwriter of Kool & The Gang best known for the worldwide hits ‘Ladies Night,’ ‘Get Down on It,’ ‘Fresh,’ ‘Celebration,’ ‘Too Hot,’ ‘Jungle Boogie,’ ‘Joanna,’ died November 16, 2023, in Los Angeles, CA after a battle with cancer. He was 74,” the statement said.
In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, his family said, “We lost our beloved husband and father, Kool & The Gang founding member George Brown last night. He passed away peacefully at Long Beach Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. His incredible talent and presence will be greatly missed and never forgotten.”
Along with drumming for the legendary group, Brown also co-wrote a handful of the band’s most-famous songs including, “Ladies Night,” “Too Hot,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Summer Madness,” “Open Sesame,” “Celebration” and “Cherish.”
The press release announcing Brown’s passing also said, “When asked to describe his music, Brown always replied with it’s ‘The sound of happiness.'”
Brown is survived by his wife Hanh Brown and his children Dorian Melvin Brown, Jorge Lewis Brown, Gregory Brown, Jordan Xuan Clarence Brown and Aaron Tien Joseph Brown.
The drummer had retired earlier this year, nearly 60 years after the band began, when he revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer.
Brown had been battling cancer for an extended period, facing periods of remission before the illness resurged.
Prior to his retirement, though, Brown made the most of his life, still contributing to the Kool & The Gang resume with even more art.
In 2023, George produced the band’s latest album, “People Just Wanna Have Fun,” and also released his memoir Too Hot: Kool & The Gang & Me.
In lieu of sending flowers to his family, they have asked that donations be made in his honor to the Lung Cancer Society of America.
Following the news of Brown’s passing, the only surviving member of the band is Robert ‘Kool’ Bell.
Fans and music legends alike paid tribute to the legendary drummer on social media, including Chic co-founder and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Nile Rodgers.
“#RIPGeorgeBrown – Songwriters Hall of Famer, Kool & The Gang legendary drummer and friend,” Rodgers wrote in his post. “Heartfelt condolences go out to your family, friends and the funk.”
Rest In Peace, George Brown.