George Brown, the co-founder, drummer, and songwriter for Kool & the Gang, died Thursday, Nov. 16, after a battle with cancer. He was 74.
A rep for Kool & the Gang confirmed Brown’s death in a statement shared with Rolling Stone. Brown’s family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Lung Cancer Society of America in his honor.
Aptly nicknamed “Funky,” Brown not only provided the backbeat to Kool & the Gang’s many indelible funk and disco era hits but also helped write them. Brown’s co-writing credits include favorites like “Ladies Night,...
A rep for Kool & the Gang confirmed Brown’s death in a statement shared with Rolling Stone. Brown’s family asked that, in lieu of flowers, donations be sent to the Lung Cancer Society of America in his honor.
Aptly nicknamed “Funky,” Brown not only provided the backbeat to Kool & the Gang’s many indelible funk and disco era hits but also helped write them. Brown’s co-writing credits include favorites like “Ladies Night,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
George “Funky” Brown, a founding member and longtime drummer of Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 74.
A representative for Kool & the Gang issued a statement to TMZ saying, “George Brown died November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer.”
As reported by CBS local affiliate Kcal News in late October, Brown was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago, but was able to battle back after surgery and chemotherapy. Though Brown was able to return to the road in 2022, he was dealt a setback earlier this year when the cancer came back.
Brown co-founded Kool & the Gang in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964 with brothers Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Bell, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow, and Ricky West. Following Brown’s death, Robert “Kool” Bell is the only surviving founding member.
Thanks to their unique blend of funk,...
A representative for Kool & the Gang issued a statement to TMZ saying, “George Brown died November 16, 2023 in Los Angeles after a battle with cancer.”
As reported by CBS local affiliate Kcal News in late October, Brown was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago, but was able to battle back after surgery and chemotherapy. Though Brown was able to return to the road in 2022, he was dealt a setback earlier this year when the cancer came back.
Brown co-founded Kool & the Gang in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964 with brothers Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Bell, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow, and Ricky West. Following Brown’s death, Robert “Kool” Bell is the only surviving founding member.
Thanks to their unique blend of funk,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Eddie Fu
- Consequence - Music
George “Funky” Brown, the drummer, founding member and one of the main songwriters of pop-r&b group Kool & The Gang, died in Los Angeles last night following a battle with lung cancer. He was 74.
Brown, along with Robert “Kool” Bell on bass, his brother Ronald Bell on tenor and lead vocalist James “J.T.” Taylor, was one of the songwriters in a band with such hits as “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Celebration,” and “Get Down on It.”
His death was reported by TMZ.
According to an official biography of the drummer-songwriter posted by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Jersey City, N.J., native had developed an early affinity for jazz drummers Elvin Jones, Art Blakey and Jack DeJohnette when he met neighbor and future Kool & The Gang keyboardist Ricky West. West introduced Brown to the band’s future saxophonist and musical director Ronald Bell and future trumpeter Robert Mickens,...
Brown, along with Robert “Kool” Bell on bass, his brother Ronald Bell on tenor and lead vocalist James “J.T.” Taylor, was one of the songwriters in a band with such hits as “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Celebration,” and “Get Down on It.”
His death was reported by TMZ.
According to an official biography of the drummer-songwriter posted by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Jersey City, N.J., native had developed an early affinity for jazz drummers Elvin Jones, Art Blakey and Jack DeJohnette when he met neighbor and future Kool & The Gang keyboardist Ricky West. West introduced Brown to the band’s future saxophonist and musical director Ronald Bell and future trumpeter Robert Mickens,...
- 11/17/2023
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
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