Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, one of the co-founders of the soul-funk band Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 70. That’s what the band said. According to him, Thomas fell asleep peacefully at his home in New Jersey on Saturday.
The funk star was alto saxophonist, flutist and drummer of the band, which conquered the charts worldwide with hits such as “Celebration” and “Get Down On It”. Until recently, Thomas was on stage with the band: most recently, he performed together at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on July 4.
Thomas was one of seven friends who got together in 1964 to play music from a mix of jazz, soul and funk. In 1969, after a few line-ups, they changed their name to Kool & the Gang.
The other founders of the band were brothers Ronald and Robert Bell, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown and Charles Smith. Thomas was the stylist of the group and took care of the finances at the time. He managed the proceeds at the time in a paper bag that he stuffed into his instrument, the statement said.
The band won two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards. Their music is often sampled and used for film scores, such as for” Rocky”,” Satuday Night Fever “and”Pulp Fiction”.
Thomas is survived by his wife Phynjuar Saunders Thomas, his daughter Tuesday Rankin and his sons David Thomas and Devin Thomas.
