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Thread started 09/09/20 3:45pm

TrivialPursuit

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Kool & the Gang’s Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell Dies at 68

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ronald-khalis-bell.jpg?w=600

Kool & the Gang co-founder Ronald “Khalis” Bell, who was credited as a writer and producer on the group’s biggest hits — among them: 1980’s “Celebration” and 1985’s “Cherish” — died Wednesday Sept. 9 at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, his wife and agent Tia Sinclair Bell said in a statement on Sept. 10. He was 68. The cause of death has not been revealed.

Bell was a driving force behind Kool & the Gang, composing, arranging, producing and performing with the group which saw success in multiple decades over 50 years. In addition to the aforementioned earworms of our time, other hits by the band included “Get Down On It” and “Fresh.”

In 1964, Bell and his brother Robert “Kool” formed a band with Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, and Ricky West. They went through several iterations as the Jazziacs, The New Dimensions, The Soul Town Band, Kool & the Flames before Kool & the Gang was launched blending jazz, soul and funk sounds.

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"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #1 posted 09/09/20 4:18pm

SoulAlive

eek neutral
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Reply #2 posted 09/09/20 8:17pm

OldFriends4Sal
e

https://www.msn.com/en-us...d=msedgntp

Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell, Co-Founder of Kool & the Gang, Dies at 68

Heran Mamo 2 hrs ago

Billboard logoRonald ‘Khalis’ Bell, Co-Founder of Kool & the Gang, Dies at 68

Ronald Bell, also known as Khalis Bayyan and the co-founder of Kool & the Gang with his brother Robert “Kool” Bell, died suddenly Wednesday morning (Sept. 9) at his home in the U.S. Virgin Islands, according to a statement from his publicist. He was 68.

...

He is survived by his wife Tia Sinclair Bell; 10 children Kahdijah, Rasheed, Nadirah, Liza, Maryam, Aminah, Jennah, Khalis, Asia and James; grandchildren; brothers Robert Bell, Wahid Bayyan, Amir Bayyan, and his sister Sharifah Bayyan; and his Kool & the Gang band brothers Thomas and Brown among others. The family will hold a private funeral service, and they ask in lieu of flowers that fans support the Boys and Girls Club of America.

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Reply #3 posted 09/09/20 10:32pm

purplethunder3
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sad

"Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything." --Plato

https://youtu.be/CVwv9LZMah0
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Reply #4 posted 09/10/20 1:54am

phunkdaddy

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Sad. The band has lost a few members over the last several years.
I just saw Khalis performing with the band on an Instagram old school
music tribute about 2 months ago. RIP
Don't laugh at my funk
This funk is a serious joint
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Reply #5 posted 09/10/20 5:51am

RJOrion

"Music Is The Message" LP was one of the first albums i ever borrowed from anyone...my sister's boyfriend used to play the 8track in his Dodge Super Bee all the time and i had to have it...

"Soul Vibrations" is/was the funkiest shit i had ever heard at that time... Khalis had the epic sax solo on thet joint..

RIP Khalis Bayyan

[Edited 9/11/20 6:51am]

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Reply #6 posted 09/10/20 7:09am

domainator2010

I used to love "Cherish" (shocked a little!) RIP.

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Reply #7 posted 09/10/20 10:56am

TrivialPursuit

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Emergency is my favorite album from them, front to back. "Celebration" brings back middle school vibes. We couldn't play it enough. I remember "Get Down On It" on a K-Tel album somewhere that I owned. "Ladies Night" was all over the radio. So many great memories around the band and their music.

"eye don’t really care so much what people say about me because it is a reflection of who they r."
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Reply #8 posted 09/11/20 6:29am

funkaholic1972

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One of my childhood's favorite bands, so many great hits! May Ronald rest in peace...

RIP Prince: thank U 4 a funky Time...
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Reply #9 posted 09/11/20 7:07am

CoolMF

RJOrion said:

"Music Is The Message" LP was one of the first albums i ever borrowed from anyone...my sister's boyfriend used to play the 8track in his Dodge Super Bee all the time and i had to have it...

"Soul Vibrations" is/was the funkiest shit i had ever heard at that time... Khalis had the epic sax solo on thet joint..

RIP Khalis Bayyan

[Edited 9/11/20 6:51am]

I may have to check that one out. Otherwise, Wild And Peaceful is/was my joint. RIP Khalis.

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Reply #10 posted 09/11/20 11:04am

Vannormal

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RIP.

Always loved Kool & The Gang.

Still do actually.

Theyr music always make me happy.

Will play an album tonight as a tribute.

-

Did they ever cross paths with Prince ?

In any way ?

just wondering.

We kall know that Kid Creole did.

-

"The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves. And wiser people so full of doubts" (Bertrand Russell 1872-1972)
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Reply #11 posted 09/11/20 2:35pm

Cinny

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My graduation yearbook said I wanted to be in the band. :oof: Rest in peace!

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Reply #12 posted 09/11/20 3:41pm

RJOrion

CoolMF said:




I may have to check that one out. Otherwise, Wild And Peaceful is/was my joint. RIP Khalis.




Funky Stuff & Hollywood Swinging was my favorite joints on Wild & Peaceful... thats the lp it ALL came together for them... their tours and airplay were rivaling EWF, PFunk and The Ohio Players at that point.
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Reply #13 posted 09/12/20 3:40pm

JoeBala

Got to see them at Radio City Hall in the 90s with a lots of bands and they were my favorite. The band was tight and JT was voice was amazing. RIHP Ron.
Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!
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Reply #14 posted 09/12/20 3:49pm

JoeBala

It was 1986 actually. Joan Jett killed it too. It was my second time seeing her.
https://www.concertarchiv...e-textones
Just Music-No Categories-Enjoy It!
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Reply #15 posted 09/25/20 4:07am

JoeTyler

sad RIP.

He had the Funk.

tinkerbell
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Reply #16 posted 09/26/20 5:29pm

uPtoWnNY

CoolMF said:

RJOrion said:

"Music Is The Message" LP was one of the first albums i ever borrowed from anyone...my sister's boyfriend used to play the 8track in his Dodge Super Bee all the time and i had to have it...

"Soul Vibrations" is/was the funkiest shit i had ever heard at that time... Khalis had the epic sax solo on thet joint..

RIP Khalis Bayyan

[Edited 9/11/20 6:51am]

I may have to check that one out. Otherwise, Wild And Peaceful is/was my joint. RIP Khalis.

Yep, 'Wild & Peaceful' was their best.

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Reply #17 posted 10/01/20 7:15pm

JoeyC

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Damn. sad

R.I.P. rose

Rest in Peace Bettie Boo. See u soon.
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Reply #18 posted 10/06/20 2:21pm

Dalia11

Condolences to the family.
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Reply #19 posted 10/12/20 9:52pm

alphastreet

Rip to him, they have a great catalog
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Forums > Music: Non-Prince > Kool & the Gang’s Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell Dies at 68