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Left - right, Bottom:
Dennis Thomas, Robert "Kool" Bell
Left - right, Top:
Otha Nash, Claydes "Charles" Smith, Ronald "Khalis" Bell, George "Funky" Brown, Robert "Spike" Mickens
 See our Tribute to Charles Smith
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to view the Kool and the Gang Biography
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Click on a time period to find out more:
 Kool & The Gang's story starts in the Jersey City projects. They were teenagers, studying Miles Davis albums and James Brown singles, jamming in basements, partying for the people in a swirl of Black consciousness. In 1969 they made their first record. Still teenagers, and full of confidence, they named that first record after themselves. Their confidence and creativity produced a string of loose-but-tight, "fun" records, culminating in the Pop Chart smash Jungle Boogie. Kool & The Gang didn't need a singer then: the horns were the lead voice; the fans chanted along. Their songs were featured in films like Rocky and Saturday Night Fever.
1948
In Jersey City, New Jersey, Willis and Thomas Smith give birth to their first child, Claydes Eugene Smith.
1949
George Brown the first child of George and Eleanor Brown was born in Jersey City.
1950
In Youngstown, Ohio, Robert “Bobby” Bell, a featherweight champion, and his wife Mabel have their first child, a son, Robert Earl Bell.
Robert "Bobby" Bell (center)
1951
Ronald Nathan Bell, the second child of Bobby and Mabel Bell, was born.
Dennis Ronald Thomas was born in Orlando, FL to Elizabeth and Claude Thomas. He was their third child.
Robert “Spike” Mickens was born to Victor and Roberta. His father was a trumpet player.
Robert and Ronald Bell, Youngstown, OH 1952
Robert and Ronald Bell, Hollywood, CA 1998
1952
Dennis Thomas moves with his family to Jersey City.
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