George “Funky” Brown, the co-founder and long-time drummer of Kool & The Gang, who helped write such hits as Too Hot, Ladies Night, Joanna, and the party favourite Celebration, has died aged 74.
Brown died on Thursday in Los Angeles after suffering from cancer, according to a statement released by Universal Music.
He had retired earlier in the year, nearly 60 years after the band began, and said he was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer.
Kool & The Gang has sold millions of records with its catchy blend of jazz, funk and soul, what Brown liked to call “the sound of happiness”.
In 1964 Brown helped launch the Grammy-winning group, originally called the Jazziacs, along with such friends as bassist Robert “Kool” Bell, brother Ronald Bell on keyboards and guitarist Charles Smith.
After years of relative obscurity, name changes and personnel changes, Kool & The Gang broke through in the mid-1970s with Jungle Boogie and Hollywood Swinging among others songs.
The band peaked in the late 70s-mid 1980s, with hits ranging from the ballads Cherish and Joanna to the up-tempo, chart-topping Celebration, now a standard at weddings and other festive gatherings.
In 2023 Brown produced the band’s latest album, People Just Wanna Have Fun, and released his memoir Too Hot: Kool & The Gang & Me.
He is survived by his wife, Hanh Brown, and his five children.