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Dennis Thomas, the saxophonist from Kool & the Gang, is dead
Photo:
Joe Gill / AP
Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, one of the co-founders of the soul-funk band Kool & the Gang, died at the age of 70.
The band announced.
Accordingly, Thomas fell asleep peacefully on Saturday in his house in New Jersey.
The funk star was an alto saxophonist, flautist and drummer in the band that hit the charts around the world with hits like "Celebration" and "Get Down On It".
Until recently, Thomas was on stage with the band: Most recently, he performed together at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles on July 4th.
Thomas was one of seven friends who got together in 1964 to play music from a mix of jazz, soul and funk.
After a few changes, they were called Kool & the Gang in 1969.
The other founders of the band were the brothers Ronald and Robert Bell, Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown and Charles Smith.
Thomas was the group's stylist and was also responsible for the finances at the time.
At that time, he managed the income in a paper bag that he stuffed into his instrument, the statement said.
The band won two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards.
Their music is often sampled and used for film music, such as "Rocky", "Satuday Night Fever" and "Pulp Fiction".
Thomas leaves behind his wife Phynjuar Saunders Thomas, daughter Tuesday Rankin and sons David Thomas and Devin Thomas.
mjm / AP