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Kool & the Gang

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Kool & the Gang is an American R&B, soul and funk band from Jersey City in New Jersey. In 1964 seven school friends decided to play together as an instrumental jazz and soul group under the name Jazziacs. The brothers Robert Kool Bell on bass and Ronald Bell on keyboards formed the core. The Bells grew up in a house in New York where Thelonious Monk also lived, who became Robert's godfather. After several name changes it became Kool & the Gang, and in 1969 the first album appeared on De-Lite Records.

Music and breakthrough

The first big success came with Wild and Peaceful in 1973, with the singles Jungle Boogie and Hollywood Swinging. A declining period followed, until the collaboration with the Brazilian producer Eumir Deodato and the arrival of singer James J.T. Taylor brought a second peak between 1979 and 1986. Ladies' Night came in 1979, then Celebration in 1980, Get Down on It, Joanna, Misled and Cherish. Emergency from 1984 became the best-selling album.

Influence

The music developed from jazzy funk with a strong horn section into disco and smooth pop, always with a danceable rhythm. The group showed how funk and pop could flow into one another, and its songs were and still are played at parties. In 2024 came induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Celebration and notice the rhythm and the horns: the song is built for clapping along and dancing, and you can hear that in the very first bars.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

The chapters, maps and magazine stories of School of Rock are currently available in Dutch only.

See also

Categories: Artists