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Kool and the Gang

Source: Station Provided/Radio One / Radio One Indy

Ronald “Khalis” Bell, a co-founder and singer of the group Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 68.

RonaldBell-copyBell died at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands Wednesday morning with his wife by his side, reported by his publicist . The cause of death has not been released.

Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960’s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. After a brief downturn, the group enjoyed a return to stardom in the ’80’s.

He wrote and produced many of the Kool & the Gang’s songs, including “Celebration“, “Cherish“, “Jungle Boogie“, “Summer Madness“, and “Open Sesame“. He said his favorite song was “Celebration”, which he wrote after picking up a Bible in a hotel room.