Mike Posted June 23, 2006 Report Share Posted June 23, 2006 Claydes Charles Smith co-wrote 'Celebration,' 'Jungle Boogie' LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Claydes Charles Smith, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, has died. He was 57. Smith died Tuesday in Maplewood, New Jersey, after a long illness, his publicist said. Kool & the Gang grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the major groups of the 1970s, blending jazz, funk, R&B and pop. After a downturn, the group enjoyed a return to stardom in the '80s. Smith wrote the hits "Joanna" and "Take My Heart," and was a co-writer of others, including "Celebration," "Hollywood Swinging" and "Jungle Boogie." Smith was introduced to jazz guitar by his father in the early 1960s. Later in that decade, he was in a group of New Jersey jazz musicians, including Ronald Bell (later Khalis Bayyan), Robert "Kool" Bell, George Brown, Dennis Thomas and Robert "Spike" Mickens, who became Kool & the Gang. Other members would include lead singer James "JT" Taylor. © Associated Press from CNN®© Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewYorkMets9 Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 Was he Kool or The Gang? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steel2Velvet Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 Yes, he was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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