Dennis “Dee Dee” Thomas
(Picture: Getty Images)Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas, a founding member of soul-funk band Kool & the Gang, has died at the age of 70.
He passed away "peacefully in his sleep" in New Jersey on Saturday, the band said in a Facebook statement.
Mr Thomas co-founded the group in 1964 along with Robert "Kool" Bell, his brother Ronald - who died last year - and four other schoolfriends: Robert Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown and Ricky Westfield.
The band grew from jazz roots in the 1960s to become one of the biggest groups of the 1970s, with hits such as Celebration and Get Down On It.
Mr Thomas was often described as the “cool cat” in the group and was its sax player, percussionist as well as a master of ceremonies at shows.
The group won a slew of awards including two Grammy Awards and seven American Music Awards.
Their music also featured in several films including Saturday Night Fever and Pulp Fiction.
In 2014, the group were honoured with a Soul Train Lifetime Achievement Award.
They also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2015 for their contribution to the world of entertainment and were inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame in 2018.
His last appearance with the group was on July 4 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
Mr Thomas is survived by are his wife, Phynjuar Saunders Thomas, daughter Tuesday Rankin, and sons David Thomas and Devin Thomas.
