MONTCLAIR, N.J. — Kool & the Gang co-founder Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas died “peacefully in his sleep” Saturday at his home in Montclair, New Jersey, multiple media outlets reported.
Thomas was 70.
#BREAKING
— George Pennacchio (@abc7george) August 7, 2021
Dennis Thomas (known as “Dee Tee”), one of the co-founders of Kool & The Gang, died in his sleep today at 70.
The group was formed back in 1965 with 7 teenage friends. Among the group’s accolades: 31 gold and platinum albums.
(📷 courtesy K.T.F.A. Entertainment Inc.) pic.twitter.com/QT7UY5o6p9
According to a news release obtained by Variety, Thomas most recently performed with the soul-funk powerhouse at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on the Fourth of July.
Kool and the Gang’s biggest hits included “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Summer Madness,” as well as prominent placement on high-profile soundtracks, including “Rocky,” “Saturday Night Fever” and “Pulp Fiction,” NBC News reported.
The multi-talented Thomas, who played saxophone, flute and percussion, served as the “master of ceremonies” during the band’s shows and was “known as the quintessential cool cat in the group, loved for his hip clothes and hats, and his laid-back demeanor,” the news release stated.
According to Variety, Thomas co-founded what would become Kool & the Gang as the Jazziacs in 1964 with brothers Ronald Bell and Robert “Kool” Bell, and friends Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown and Charles Smith.
Thomas’ death comes nearly a year after co-founder Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell died in September 2020 at the age of 68, NBC News reported.
>> Related: Kool & the Gang co-founder Ronald Bell dead at 68
Throughout the group’s more than 50-year history, Kool & the Gang charted more than 20 Top 10 R&B hits, nine Top 10 pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums, earning two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards, the network reported.
Thomas, born Feb. 9, 1951, in Orlando, Florida, is survived by his wife, Phynjuar Saunders Thomas; daughter, Tuesday Rankin; sons, David Thomas and Devin Thomas; aunt, Mary “Duggie” Jones; sisters, Doris Mai McClary and Elizabeth Thomas Ross; brother, Bill Mcleary; and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
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