Ronald Bell, one of the founding members of the 1970’s and 1980’s pop group Kool and the Gang Dies at the age of 68.
The founder of Kool and the Gang , died at his home in the US Virgin Islands with his wife by his side, his publicist said.
Cause of death was not given.
Ronald was a self taught saxophonist and singer. He founded Kool and the Gang group in New Jersey with his brother Robert and five other school friends in 1964.
They became one of the eras most popular and influential soul and funk bands with hits including Celebration, Ladies night and Get down on it.
Kool and the Gang won a Grammy in 1978 for their work on the soundtrack for “Saturday Night Fever.” The group was honored with a BET Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame four years later.
As a self-taught musician, Bell created his own signature sound using horn lines, bass and synthesizer.
Bell wrote and composed some of the group’s biggest songs including “Celebration,” “Cherish,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Summer Madness,” which was used in several films including “Rocky” and “Baby Boy.” The song was also used in a Nike shoe commercial in 2006 featuring LeBron James.
Bell was working on a series of collaborations including a solo endeavor, “Kool Baby Brotha Band.” He also had plans of putting together a series of animated shorts called “Kool TV” about their childhood and career.
Bell is also survived by 10 children.
Murthy said the service for Bell will be private
