Kool & The Gang
クール&ザ・ギャング
Key Members
- Robert “Kool” Bell – bass, backing vocals (1964–)
- George “Funky” Brown – drums, percussion, keyboards, backing vocals (1964–2023)
- Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas – alto saxophone, flute, backing vocals (1964–2021)
- Claydes Charles Smith – guitar (1964–2006)
- Ronald Bell – tenor saxophone, keyboards, backing vocals (1964–1989, 1992–2020)
- Robert “Spike” Mickens – trumpet, backing vocals (1964–1986)
- Ricky Westfield – keyboards, vocals (1964–1976)
- Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow – rhythm and lead guitar (1964–1969)
- Larry Gittens – trumpet, flugelhorn, backing vocals, keyboards (1975–1977, 1986–1988, session/touring 2000–2013)
- Otha Nash – trombone (1975–1977)
- Kevin Lassiter – keyboards, vocals (1976–1979)
- James “J.T.” Taylor – vocals (1979–1988, 1996–1999)
- Michael Ray – trumpet, backing vocals (1979–1991, 2007–2023)
- Sir Earl Toon – keyboards, vocals (1979–1982)
- Clifford Adams – trombone, backing vocals (1980–1995; session/touring 1977–1980, 1995–2015)
- Gary Brown – vocals (1988–1990)
- Sennie “Skip” Martin – trumpet, vocals (1988–1995; session/touring 1995–2007)
- Curtis “Fitz” Williams – keyboards, alto saxophone, backing vocals (1982–1988, 1995–)
- Shawn “Shawny Mac” McQuiller – vocals, guitar (1991–)
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Chart | US R&B Chart | UK Chart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Kool and the Gang | De-Lite | – | 43 | – | |
| 1972 | Music Is the Message | De-Lite | – | 25 | – | |
| Good Times | De-Lite | 142 | 34 | – | ||
| 1973 | Wild and Peaceful | De-Lite | 33 | 6 | – | US: Gold |
| 1974 | Light of Worlds | De-Lite | 63 | 16 | – | US: Gold |
| 1975 | Spirit of the Boogie | De-Lite | 48 | 5 | – | |
| 1976 | Love & Understanding | De-Lite | 68 | 9 | – | |
| Open Sesame | De-Lite | 110 | 9 | – | ||
| 1977 | The Force | De-Lite | 142 | 33 | – | |
| 1978 | Everybody’s Dancin’ | De-Lite | – | 71 | – | |
| 1979 | Ladies’ Night | De-Lite | 13 | 1 | – | US: Platinum |
| 1980 | Celebrate! | De-Lite | 10 | 2 | – | US: Platinum |
| 1981 | Something Special | De-Lite | 12 | 1 | 10 | US: Platinum UK: Gold |
| 1982 | As One | De-Lite | 29 | 5 | 49 | US: Gold |
| 1983 | In the Heart | De-Lite | 29 | 5 | 18 | US: Gold UK: Silver |
| 1984 | Emergency | De-Lite | 13 | 3 | 47 | US: 2× Platinum UK: Silver |
| 1986 | Forever | Mercury | 25 | 9 | – | US: Gold |
| 1989 | Sweat | Mercury | – | 52 | – | |
| 1992 | Unite | JRS | – | – | – | |
| 1996 | State of Affairs | Curb | – | – | – | |
| 2001 | Gangland | Eagle | – | – | – | |
| 2004 | The Hits: Reloaded | Virgin/EMI | – | – | 56 | |
| 2007 | Still Kool | New Door | – | 31 | – | |
| 2013 | Kool for the Holidays | ATO | – | – | – | |
| 2021 | Perfect Union | Omnivore | – | – | – | |
| 2023 | People Just Wanna Have Fun | Astana | 140 | 19 | – |
Live albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Chart | US R&B Chart |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Live at the Sex Machine | De-Lite | 122 | 6 |
| Live at P.J.’s | De-Lite | 171 | 24 | |
| 1998 | Greatest Hits Live | Rhino | – | – |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Label | US Chart | US R&B Chart | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Everything’s Kool & the Gang : Greatest Hits & More | Mercury | 109 | 58 | |
| 1993 | The Best of Kool & the Gang: 1969–1976 | Mercury | – | – | |
| 1994 | Celebration : The Best of Kool & the Gang: 1979–1987 | Mercury | – | – | UK: Gold |
Singles
| Year | Title | US Chart | US R&B Chart | UK Chart | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | Kool and the Gang | 59 | 19 | – | Kool and the Gang | |
| The Gang’s Back Again | 85 | 39 | – | Kool and the Gang | ||
| Kool’s Back Again (B-side) | – | 37 | – | Kool and the Gang | ||
| Let the Music Take Your Mind | 78 | 19 | – | Kool and the Gang | ||
| 1970 | Kool It (Here Comes the Fuzz) | – | – | – | Live at the Sex Machine | |
| Funky Man | 87 | 16 | – | Live at the Sex Machine | ||
| 1971 | Who’s Gonna Take the Weight (Part One) | – | 28 | – | Live at the Sex Machine | |
| I Want to Take You Higher | – | 35 | – | Live at the Sex Machine | ||
| N.T. Part I | – | – | – | Live at PJ’s | ||
| 1972 | Love the Life You Live, Part I | – | 31 | – | Music Is the Message | |
| Music Is the Message (Part 1) | – | – | – | Music Is the Message | ||
| Funky Granny | – | – | – | Music Is the Message | ||
| Good Times | – | – | – | Good Times | ||
| 1973 | Country Junky | – | – | – | Good Times | |
| Funky Stuff | 29 | 5 | 57 | Wild and Peaceful | ||
| Jungle Boogie | 4 | 2 | 53 | RIAA: Platinum | Wild and Peaceful | |
| 1974 | Hollywood Swinging | 6 | 1 | – | RIAA: Gold | Wild and Peaceful |
| Higher Plane | 37 | 1 | – | Light of Worlds | ||
| Rhyme Tyme People | 63 | 3 | – | Light of Worlds | ||
| 1975 | Spirit of the Boogie | 35 | 1 | 58 | Spirit of the Boogie | |
| Summer Madness (B-side) | 35 | 36 | – | RIAA: Gold | Spirit of the Boogie | |
| Caribbean Festival | 55 | 6 | – | Spirit of the Boogie | ||
| 1976 | Love and Understanding (Come Together) | 77 | 8 | – | Love & Understanding | |
| Universal Sound | – | 71 | – | Love & Understanding | ||
| Open Sesame – Part 1 | 55 | 6 | – | Open Sesame | ||
| 1977 | Super Band | – | 17 | 52 | Open Sesame | |
| 1978 | Slick Superchick | – | 19 | – | The Force | |
| A Place in Space | – | – | – | The Force | ||
| I Like Music | – | – | – | Everybody’s Dancin’ | ||
| Everybody’s Dancin’ | – | 65 | – | Everybody’s Dancin’ | ||
| 1979 | Ladies’ Night | 8 | 1 | 9 | RIAA: Gold | Ladies’ Night |
| Too Hot | 5 | 3 | 23 | RIAA: Gold | Ladies’ Night | |
| 1980 | Hangin’ Out | 103 | 36 | 52 | Ladies’ Night | |
| Celebration | 1 | 1 | 7 | RIAA: 3× Platinum BPI: Gold | Celebrate! | |
| 1981 | Take It to the Top | – | 11 | 15 | Celebrate! | |
| Jones vs. Jones | 39 | 33 | 17 | Celebrate! | ||
| Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It) | 17 | 1 | 29 | Something Special | ||
| Steppin’ Out | 89 | 12 | 12 | Something Special | ||
| Get Down on It | 10 | 4 | 3 | RIAA: Platinum BPI: Platinum | Something Special | |
| 1982 | No Show | – | 34 | – | Something Special | |
| Big Fun | 21 | 6 | 14 | As One | ||
| Let’s Go Dancin’ (Ooh La, La, La) | 30 | 7 | 6 | As One | ||
| Hi De Hi, Hi De Ho | – | 40 | 29 | As One | ||
| 1983 | Street Kids | – | 78 | – | As One | |
| Straight Ahead | – | 49 | 15 | In the Heart | ||
| Joanna | 2 | 1 | 2 | RIAA: Gold BPI: Silver | In the Heart | |
| 1984 | Tonight | 13 | 7 | 2 | In the Heart | |
| In the Heart | – | – | 7 | In the Heart | ||
| Fresh | 9 | 1 | 11 | RIAA: Gold BPI: Silver | Emergency | |
| Misled | 10 | 3 | 28 | Emergency | ||
| 1985 | Cherish | 2 | 1 | 4 | RIAA: Gold BPI: Silver | Emergency |
| Emergency | 18 | 7 | 50 | Emergency | ||
| 1986 | Victory | 10 | 2 | 30 | Forever | |
| 1987 | Stone Love | 10 | 4 | 45 | Forever | |
| Holiday | 66 | 9 | – | Forever | ||
| Special Way | 72 | 24 | – | RIAA: Gold | Forever | |
| Peace Maker | – | 78 | – | Forever | ||
| 1988 | Rags to Riches | – | 38 | – | Everything’s Kool & the Gang | |
| Strong | – | 53 | – | BPI: Silver | Everything’s Kool & the Gang | |
| Celebration (remix) | – | – | – | Everything’s Kool & the Gang | ||
| 1989 | Raindrops | – | 27 | – | Sweat | |
| Never Give Up | – | 74 | – | RIAA: Gold | Sweat | |
| 1992 | Unite | – | – | – | Unite | |
| 1996 | In the Hood | – | 27 | 148 | State of Affairs | |
| Salute to the Ladies | – | 60 | – | State of Affairs | ||
| 2003 | Ladies Night (with Atomic Kitten) | – | – | – | The Hits: Reloaded | |
| 2004 | Fresh (with Liberty X) | – | – | – | The Hits: Reloaded | |
| Too Hot (with Lisa Stansfield) | – | – | – | The Hits: Reloaded | ||
| Get Down on It (with Blue and Lil’ Kim) | – | – | – | The Hits: Reloaded | ||
| 2005 | Hollywood Swinging (with Jamiroquai) | – | – | – | The Hits: Reloaded | |
| No Show (featuring Blackstreet) | – | – | – | The Hits: Reloaded | ||
| 2006 | Steppin’ into Love | – | 96 | – | Still Kool | |
| 2010 | Miss Lead (featuring Towanna) | – | – | – | ||
| 2016 | Sexy (Where’d You Get Yours) | – | – | – | Perfect Union | |
| 2021 | Pursuit of Happiness (rap version) | – | – | – | Perfect Union |
Kool and the Gang (self-titled)
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Kool and the Gang』Re…
続きを読むMusic Is the Message
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Music Is the Message / ミュージック・イズ・ザ・メッセージ…
続きを読むGood Times
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Good Times / グッド・タイムス』…
続きを読むWild and Peaceful
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Wild and Peaceful / ワイルド・アンド・ピースフル』…
続きを読むLight of Worlds
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Light of Worlds / ライト・オブ・ワールズ』…
続きを読むSpirit of the Boogie
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Spirit of the Boogie / スピリット・オブ・ザ・ブギー』…
続きを読むLove & Understanding
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Love & Understanding / ラヴ＆アンダスタン…
続きを読むOpen Sesame
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Open Sesame / オープン・セサミ』…
続きを読むThe Force
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『The Force / ザ・フォース』R…
続きを読むEverybody’s Dancin’
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Everybody's Dancin' / エヴリバディズ・…
続きを読むLadies’ Night
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Ladies' Night / レディース・ナイト』…
続きを読むCelebrate!
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Celebrate! / セレブレート！』…
続きを読むSomething Special
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Something Special / サムシング・スペシャル』…
続きを読むAs One
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『As One / アズ・ワン』Relea…
続きを読むIn the Heart
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『In the Heart / イン・ザ・ハート』…
続きを読むEmergency
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Emergency / クール・エマージェンシー』…
続きを読むForever
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Forever / フォーエヴァー』Re…
続きを読むSweat
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Sweat / スウェット』Releas…
続きを読むUnite
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Unite / ユナイト』Rel…
続きを読むState of Affairs
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『State of Affairs / ステイト・オブ・アフェアーズ』』…
続きを読むGangland
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Gangland / ギャングランド』…
続きを読むThe Hits: Reloaded
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『The Hits: Reloaded / ザ・ヒッツ：リローデッド (ザ…
続きを読むStill Kool
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Still Kool / スティル・クール』…
続きを読むKool for the Holidays
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Kool for the Holidays / クール・フォー・ザ・ホリデイズ』…
続きを読むPerfect Union
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Perfect Union / パーフェクト・ユニオン』…
続きを読むPeople Just Wanna Have Fun
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『People Just Wanna Have Fun / ピープル・ジャスト・ハ…
続きを読むLive at the Sex Machine
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Live at the Sex Machine / ライヴ・アット・ザ・セックス…
続きを読むLive at P.J.’s
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Live at P.J.'s / ライヴ・アット・ピージェイズ』…
続きを読むEverything’s Kool & the Gang
Kool & The Gang / クール&ザ・ギャング『Everything's Kool & the Gan…
続きを読む