New Jersey : Dennis Thomas, one of the founder members of 1970s and 80s soul-funk band Kool & the Gang, has died aged 70.
He died “peacefully in his sleep” in New Jersey on Saturday, the band said in a Facebook statement.
Described as the “cool cat” in the group, he was its sax player, flutist, percussionist as well as master of ceremonies at shows.
The band became one of the era’s most popular and influential with hits such as Celebration and Get Down On It.
Their music also featured in several films including Saturday Night Fever, for which they received a Grammy in 1978, and Pulp Fiction.
