The legendary co-founder of soul-funk outfit, Kool & the Gang’s Dennis ‘Dee Tee’ Thomas, has passed away.
For anyone who grew up in the 1970s or eighties, or anyone who had parents and family members still besotten with the era of soul-funk, Kool & the Gang are an iconic ensemble, not only captivating but cultivating the sound of funk. Undeniably, they categorised an era, releasing a platinum or gold-certified album every year between 1979 and 1984 as Rolling Stone states.
Between my own house and my best friend’s parents’ home, Kool & the Gang was always the soundtrack to a Sunday night jive or Saturday afternoon ensemble writes Cape {town} Etc’s Ashleigh Nefdt. They were the sounds of my youth decades after their ‘prime’. And I have no doubt that for many of us music and groove lovers, Kool & the Gang are still our go-to when we need to get down.
None of this would’ve been imaginable, let alone possible without Mr Dennis ‘Dee Tee’ Thomas of course. He was co-founding member after all. The man on the sax never skipped an album, as Rolling Stone reminds, from 1969 to 2021’s Perfect Union.
The icon died at the age of 70 on Saturday, announced by the group. They expressed that he “passed away peacefully in his sleep” in New Jersey, USA. No cause of death was stated.
“An original member of Kool & the Gang, Dennis was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group,” the group said in a statement.
“A huge personality while also an extremely private person, Dennis was the alto saxophone player, flutist, percussionist as well as master of ceremonies at the band’s shows. Dennis’ prologue featured on the groups 1971 hit, ‘Who’s Gonna Take the Weight’ is legendary and an example of his showmanship. Dee Tee was the group’s wardrobe stylist who made sure they always looked fresh. In the band’s early days, Dennis also served as the ‘budget hawk,’ carrying the group’s earnings in a paper bag in the bell of his horn.”
I texted my friend about the news and she solemnly wrote back that ‘it’s the death of an era.’ If that in itself doesn’t emphasize how much of an icon Dennis Thomas was, enough to be the epitome of an era, then I’m not sure what else possibly could.
Picture: Twitter