Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas (February 9, 1951 – August 7, 2021)[1][2] was an American alto saxophone player, flautist, and percussionist, who was a founding member of R&B/soul/funk Kool & the Gang, and one of the few members to remain with the band for over 50 years, from its foundation in 1964 into the 2020s.[3][2]
Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Dennis Thomas |
| Born | February 9, 1951 Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
| Died | August 7, 2021 (aged 70) Montclair, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B |
| Occupation | Musician |
| Instrument | Saxophone |
| Years active | 1964–2021 |
| Formerly of | Kool & the Gang |
Biography
editEarly life
editBorn in Orlando, Florida,[1] like most of his founding bandmates, Thomas attended Lincoln High School in Jersey City, New Jersey.[4] In 1964, Thomas—then only thirteen years old—co-founded Kool & the Gang (initially called "The Jazziacs") with brothers Ronald Bell and Robert "Kool" Bell, and other friends.[1]
Kool & the Gang
editThomas "was known as the quintessential cool cat in the group" due to his fashion sense and "laid-back demeanor".[2] In addition to his musicianship, Thomas was "master of ceremonies at the band's shows" and "the group's wardrobe stylist", as well as being responsible for the group's revenues, which carried "in a paper bag in the bell of his horn".[2] In the late 1980s, the group had discussed pursuing solo projects, with Thomas suggesting the band had considered splitting into twos or threes for various projects.[5]
In 2024, Thomas was posthumously selected for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as a member of Kool & the Gang.[6]
Personal life and death
editThomas married Phynjuar Saunders, with whom he had two children, including actress Michelle Thomas known for her roles in The Cosby Show and Family Matters. The couple lived in Montclair, New Jersey.[1] Thomas died in his sleep at the age of 70.[2][7][8]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1969 | Kool and the Gang |
| 1972 | Music Is the Message |
| Good Times | |
| 1973 | Wild and Peaceful |
| 1974 | Light of Worlds |
| 1975 | Spirit of the Boogie |
| 1976 | Love & Understanding |
| Open Sesame | |
| 1977 | The Force |
| 1978 | Everybody's Dancin' |
| 1979 | Ladies' Night |
| 1980 | Celebrate! |
| 1981 | Something Special |
| 1982 | As One |
| 1983 | In the Heart |
| 1984 | Emergency |
| 1986 | Forever |
| 1989 | Sweat |
| 1992 | Unite |
| 1996 | State of Affairs |
| 2001 | Gangland |
| 2004 | The Hits: Reloaded |
| 2007 | Still Kool |
| 2013 | Kool for the Holidays |
| 2021 | Perfect Union |
Live albums
edit| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1971 | Live at the Sex Machine |
| Live at PJ's | |
| 1998 | Greatest Hits Live |
| 2002 | Too Hot Live |
| 2010 | The Very Best-Live In Concert |
Singles
edit| Year | Single |
|---|---|
| 1969 | "Kool and the Gang" |
| "The Gang's Back Again" (A-side) | |
| "Kool's Back Again" (B-side) | |
| 1970 | "Kool It (Here Comes The Fuzz)" |
| "Let the Music Take Your Mind" | |
| "Funky Man" | |
| 1971 | "Who's Gonna Take the Weight (Part One)" |
| "I Want to Take You Higher" | |
| "N.T. Part I" | |
| 1972 | "Love the Life You Live, Part I" |
| "Music Is the Message (Part 1)" | |
| "Funky Granny" | |
| "Good Times" | |
| 1973 | "Country Junky" |
| "Funky Stuff" | |
| "Jungle Boogie" | |
| 1974 | "Hollywood Swinging" |
| "Higher Plane" | |
| "Rhyme Tyme People" | |
| 1975 | "Spirit of the Boogie" (A-side) |
| "Summer Madness" (B-side) | |
| "Caribbean Festival" | |
| 1976 | "Love and Understanding (Come Together)" |
| "Universal Sound" | |
| "Open Sesame - Part 1" | |
| 1977 | "Super Band" |
| 1978 | "Slick Superchick" |
| "A Place in Space" | |
| "I Like Music" | |
| "Everybody's Dancin'" | |
| 1979 | "Ladies' Night" |
| "Too Hot" | |
| 1980 | "Hangin' Out" |
| "Celebration" | |
| 1981 | "Take It to the Top" |
| "Jones vs. Jones" | |
| "Take My Heart (You Can Have It If You Want It)" | |
| "Steppin' Out" | |
| "Get Down on It" | |
| 1982 | "No Show" |
| "Big Fun" | |
| "Let's Go Dancin' (Ooh La, La, La)" | |
| "Hi De Hi, Hi De Ho" | |
| 1983 | "Street Kids" |
| "Straight Ahead" | |
| "Joanna" | |
| 1984 | "Tonight" |
| "(When You Say You Love Somebody) In the Heart" | |
| "Fresh" | |
| "Misled" | |
| 1985 | "Cherish" |
| "Emergency" | |
| 1986 | "Victory" |
| 1987 | "Stone Love" |
| "Holiday" | |
| "Special Way" | |
| "Peace Maker" | |
| 1988 | "Rags to Riches" |
| "Strong" | |
| "Celebration" (remix) | |
| 1989 | "Raindrops" |
| "Never Give Up" | |
| 1991 | "Get Down on It" (remix) |
| 1992 | "(Jump Up on The) Rhythm and Ride" |
| 1996 | "Salute to the Ladies" |
| 2003 | "Ladies Night" (with Atomic Kitten) |
| 2004 | "Fresh" (with Liberty X) |
| "Too Hot" (with Lisa Stansfield) | |
| "Get Down on It" (with Blue & Lil' Kim) | |
| 2005 | "Hollywood Swinging" (with Jamiroquai) |
| "No Show" (featuring Blackstreet) | |
| 2006 | "Steppin' into Love" |
| 2010 | "Miss Lead" (ft. Towanna) |
| 2016 | "Sexy (Where'd You Get Yours)" |
| 2021 | "Pursuit of Happiness" (Rap Version) |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Shafer, Ellise (7 August 2021). "Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas, Co-Founder of Kool & the Gang, Dies at 70". Variety. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Schube, Will (August 7, 2021). "Kool And The Gang Co-Founder Dennis 'D.T.' Thomas Dies At Age 70". udiscovermusic.com. Retrieved August 14, 2021.
- ^ "History". Koolandthegang.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
- ^ Romanowski, Patricia; George-Warren, Holly; Pareles, John (2001). The Rolling Stone Encyclopedia of Rock and Roll. Touchstone. p. 538. ISBN 978-0-7432-0120-9. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
- ^ Gonzalez, John D. (July 19, 1987). "Kool & Gang tries to win over kids". The Dispatch. p. 65. Archived from the original on April 15, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
- ^ "Kool & The Gang Co-Founder Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas Has Died At Age 55". NPR. August 7, 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
- ^ "Dennis Thomas: Kool & The Gang founding member dies aged 70". BBC News. August 8, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.