Kool & The Gang drummer and founding member George ‘Funky’ Brown dies at 74

Kool & The Gang drummer and founding member George “Funky” Brown has died, his circle of relatives introduced Friday. He was once 74.

“We lost our beloved husband and father, Kool & The Gang founding member George Brown last night,” learn a observation equipped through the circle of relatives to ABC Audio. “He passed away peacefully at Long Beach Memorial Hospital surrounded by family. His incredible talent and presence will be greatly missed and never forgotten.”

Kool & The Gang additionally paid tribute to Brown on Facebook, calling him “the funkiest drummer the world has ever seen.” They added, “His beautiful soul is now at rest. We love you George. Thank you for giving us the sound of happiness.”

Brown shaped Kool & The Gang in New Jersey in 1974 along brothers Robert “Kool” Bell and Ronald Bell, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow and Ricky West.

In addition to enjoying drums, Brown co-wrote most of the crew’s greatest hits, together with their primary vintage “Celebration,” in addition to “Ladies Night,” “Jungle Boogie,” “Get Down On It” and “Too Hot.”

Brown, the Bells brothers and Taylor have been all inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2018, and the crowd was once inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2015.

Although the lineup of Kool & The Gang has modified through the years, Brown was once nonetheless acting with the crowd and was once probably the most longest serving participants along Robert “Kool” Bell. Bell is now the closing surviving founding member of the crowd.