Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas

"Dennis Thomas" redirects here. For the former collegiate athlete, head coach, and administrator, see Dennis Thomas (American football).
Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas
Birth nameDennis Thomas
Born(1951-02-09)February 9, 1951
Orlando, Florida, U.S.
DiedAugust 7, 2021(2021-08-07) (aged 70)
Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
GenresR&B
OccupationMusician
InstrumentSaxophone
Years active1964–2021
Formerly ofKool & the Gang

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]

Biography

Early life

Born 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

Main article: Kool & the Gang

Thomas "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

Thomas 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

Main article: Kool & the Gang discography

Studio albums

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

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

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

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "History". Koolandthegang.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2015. Retrieved October 23, 2016.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ "2024 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees". Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  7. ^ "Kool & The Gang Co-Founder Dennis 'Dee Tee' Thomas Has Died At Age 55". NPR. August 7, 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2021.
  8. ^ "Dennis Thomas: Kool & The Gang founding member dies aged 70". BBC News. August 8, 2021. Retrieved September 1, 2021.