Für Fans von: Funk & Soul und R&B.
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From 1964 the band performed at jazz events most notably those which took place in a small theater every Sunday, this was the start of the career for 13 year old Robert Bell, his brother and five of their friends.
Originally the ensemble were called the "Jazzics" but changed their name in 1969 in order to avoid confusion which was caused when they called themselves "Kool and the Flames" which was a name extremely similar to one in which James Brown was using at the time. This then caused the group to rename themselves to "Kool & the Gang". 1969 saw them signed to De-Lite Records under Gene Redd who owned the label.
In 1969 under De-Lite records the band released their self titled debut album "Kool & The Gang". It is considered to be a classic in funk music and has been sampled by over 10 artists since its release.
In 1975 the band released their very well received alum "Light Of Worlds" this received 3.5 stars from rolling stone and contained the very successful song "Higher Plane" this song was able to reach number 1 on the R&B charts.
Many Kool and the gang songs have gone on to feature on multiple platforms. Songs have been used in films such as "Baby Boy", multiple commercials such as a Nike shoe commercial starring LeBron James and even the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US, Patricia Holte-Edwards developed her vocal talents whilst being part of the church choir, with her vocal talents recognised at an early age. Together with friends Nonah Hendryx, Sarah Dash and Cindy Birdsong, they formed the vocal group the BlueBelles, later shortened to the LaBelles. The group went on to have a career full of top ten hits, most notably the pioneering disco number, “Lady Marmalade,” which reached number one on the Billboard Carts, sending the group into wide critical acclaim, becoming the first African American vocal group to be on the front cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 1975. Following differences with their musical direction, the LaBelles split in 1977, with Patti LaBelle embarking upon a solo career shortly after.
LaBelle went on to have great success as a solo artist, releasing ecords frequently throughout her forty-year career. As a solo artist, she got her first number one hit with the Michael McDonald duet “On My Own” (1986), with her album “Winner in You,” released that same year, peaking at number one on the Billboard album charts. The song went on to sell over a million copies and be certified Platinum. In 1992, she won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance for her 1991 album “Burnin’.” The album featured three top ten hits and sold half a million copies.
As well as being a recording artist, LaBelle has also featured in a number of stage productions, performing in “Your Arms Too Sort to Box with God,” and in later years as Fela Kuti’s mother in the award winning musical “Fela.”
Patti LaBelle has been hugely influential to a number of artists following her work with the LaBelles and as a solo artist. She has helped spur the rise of Disco in America, with the hit songs “Lady Marmalade” and “Messin’ with My Mind.” She has inspired a whole generation of soul singers, with the likes of Christina Aguilera, Donna Summer, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
Kool and the Gang and are one the greatest disco bands ever. Their classic brand of jazz, soul, funk and disco never fails to get you dancing. Thankfully, they remain a highly active touring band. Needless to say, though, the band has had numerous line-up changes over their forty-odd year history.
You can imagine my excitement when I got the opportunity to see the legends perform at the Wildflower Festival in Texas this May. The set opened with a rendition of 1985 chart-topper, ‘Fresh.’ ‘We gonna get this party started!’ The front man yelled. ‘Let Me Hear You!’ he shouted to the crowd. We obeyed, yelling and whooping.
Kool and the Gang gave one incredible performance. Musical skill and funky dance moves abounded. They delivered the hits with finesse. It was a thrill to see them perform ‘Jungle Boogie and ‘Get Down on It.’ The evening ended with ‘Good Times.’ We all sang and danced along enthusiastically and the singers pleased the crowd be closing with the lyrics, ‘we hope you had a good time.’ Suddenly it was the end of the gig. The evening had whipped by in frenzy of jazz funk thrill. The only indicator that we’d been there for an hour and a half was the fatigue in our legs from all that dancing. Take any opportunity you get to see Kool and the Gang live!
Patti LaBelle represents a fairly rare thing in the past fifty years of the music industry; an R&B and soul singer with huge commercial success, but who wasn’t signed to Motown. Instead, LaBelle’s musical journey - which began well over half a decade ago now - saw her release through the likes of Epic and hometown label Philadelphia International, and still managed to become one of the genre’s biggest-selling artists; worldwide, she’s sold over fifty million records. On the awards front, too, her work both with Labelle the group - who released the iconic ‘Lady Marmalade’ in the early seventies - and as a solo performer has afforded her a healthy raft of gongs, with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame proving that they don’t call her “the godmother of soul” for nothing. In more recent years, LaBelle has continued to perform live, even if she hasn’t made a record since 2004. Earlier this year, she joined fellow legend Aretha Franklin at the White House to perform for Michelle Obama, and left nobody in any doubt that her formidable vocal talent remains untouched. She hasn’t toured the UK for a while, but certainly still has the ability; fans should keep their fingers crossed for now.