They were previously known as the Jazziacs and The New Dimensions. The band played in and around their hometown of Jersey City for about five years before finally signing with De-Lite Records in 1969. Since then, they've sold 70 million of their approximately two dozen albums worldwide.
The state of New Jersey has given us a rich legacy of popular music: Frankie Valli, The Moments, Bruce Springsteen, Sarah Vaughan, and The Manhattans, just to name a few. Robert, or Bobby, Bell, was born October 8, 1950, in Youngstown, Ohio, and grew up in Jersey City. He earned a nickname for his relaxed personality and became known as Robert “Kool” Bell.
He and his brother Ronald Bell formed a seven-piece band in 1964, and they called themselves The Jazziacs. After struggling with band names for a number of years, they settled on Kool and the Gang. Their first album came out in 1969.
Kool and the Gang became one of the most popular and influential funk bands of the ‘70s. Their first crossover pop hit was “Funky Stuff” from 1973. “Funky Stuff” was followed by a number of other chart-topping hits including “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Spirit of the Boogie,” and “Open Sesame.”
When disco became all the rage by the late 70s, Kool and the Gang took a bit of a backseat until 1979, when they reached the top of the charts again with “Ladies Night.”
The ‘80s were also very good to Kool and the Gang with “Get Down on It,” “Joanna,” “Tonight,” “Fresh,” “Emergency,” “Stone Love,” and many other great hits.
Kool and the Gang are still active and playing to sold out crowds worldwide. Check out their itinerary at Koolandthegang.com. And a happy birthday to Robert “Kool” Dell.
Listen above.
Recommended Listening
'Kool and the Gang" (First single, 1969)
"Hollywood Swinging"
"Open Sesame"
"Summer Madness”
"Get Down on It" (12" version)
Deep cut
"N.T." (Parts 1 & 2)