Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Co-founder of Kool & The Gang, passes away at 70

Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, a founding member of soul-funk group Kool & the Gang, has died, his reps confirmed to Variety. He was 70.

According to a press release, Thomas died “peacefully in his sleep” in New Jersey.

“An original member of Kool & the Gang, Dennis was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group, loved for his hip clothes and hats, and his laid-back demeanor,” the spokesperson 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.”

Thomas had just performed with Kool & the Gang at their Los Angeles show at the Hollywood Bowl, which kicked off its 2021 season on July 4.

Thomas’ death comes nearly a year after co-founder Ronald ‘Khalis’ Bell died in September 2020 at the age of 68.

Dennis Thomas Was A Founding Member of Kool & The Gang

Born on Feb. 9, 1951 in Orlando, Fla., Thomas co-founded Kool & the Gang in 1964 alongside brothers Ronald Bell and Robert “Kool” Bell, and friends Spike Mickens, Ricky Westfield, George Brown and Charles Smith.

First calling themselves the Jazziacs,
Kool & the Gang grew from their jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop.

Legendary Group

Throughout the group’s more than 50-year storied history, Kool & the Gang earned two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards.

The group has had more than 20 top 10 R&B hits, nine top 10 pop hits and 31 gold and platinum albums.

Kool & the Gang was honored with a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014 and received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame the following year.

The band was included in installations at the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and at the Grammy Museum in Newark, New Jersey.”

Most recently, “Celebration” was inducted into the Library of Congress National Recording Registry in 2020.

Dennis Thomas Leaves Behind Precious Memories

According to Variety, Thomas was a longtime resident of Montclair, N.J. and was married to Phynjuar Saunders Thomas.

He is predeceased by his mother Elizabeth Lee Thomas, sister Darlene Thomas and his daughters, Michelle Thomas and Tracy Jackson.

In addition to his wife Phynjuar, Thomas is survived by his daughter Tuesday Rankin, sons David Thomas and Devin Thomas, aunt Mary “Duggie” Jones, sisters Doris Mai McClary and Elizabeth Thomas Ross, brother Bill Mcleary and many nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Rest in peace Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas.

Photo Source: Kool & The Gang Facebook