Kool & The Gang has lost co-founder Dennis “DT” Thomas. Facebook site With. His last appearance with the band was a few weeks ago on July 4th in Los Angeles.
Dennis Thomas was a saxophonist, percussionist, and flutist with Kool & The Gang. The band played a mixture of jazz, soul, and funk and became world famous with songs such as “Jungle Boogie”, “Get down on it”, “Ladies ‘Night” and of course “Celebrations”, the only hit single. Their music has served as the soundtrack for many films such as “Pulp Fiction”, “Saturday Night Fever” and “Rocky”.
Thomas was born on February 9, 1951 and founded the band with six childhood friends in 1964, from which Kool & The Gang emerged five years later. The band started with jazz and grew into one of the most successful funk, soul and disco groups in the world in the 1970s. Since their 1970 debut “Kool and the Gang,” the band has released 23 studio albums, won two Grammys and seven American Music Awards, and scored several Top Ten hits. In 2015, musicians were honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Thomas was in the band as he was in website It means “cool cat” and when he played the master of ceremonies: he was known for his casual and hip style, and also took care of the outfits of the other band members. His introduction to “Who’s Gonna Take the Weight” is legendary.
Thomas last appeared with Kool & The Gang at the 4th of July Independence Day celebrations at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles with “Celebrations” as Closing song after the fireworks. He last lived in Montclair, New Jersey, leaving behind his wife Vingware Saunders Thomas, daughter Tuesday Rankin, and children David Thomas and Devin Thomas.
