The internet has been abuzz with inquiries about George Brown’s net worth, which has become a common occurrence following the passing of a celebrity. As we delve further into this article, we will provide more information on this topic.
Who was George Brown of Kool & The Gang fame?
George Brown was the drummer for the group. Renowned for his exceptional skills, he played a pivotal role in the success of the pop/R&B band Kool & The Gang. Alongside his talented bandmates, including bassist Robert “Kool” Bell, tenor saxophonist Ronald Bell, and lead vocalist James “J.T.” Taylor, Brown contributed as one of the main songwriters. Their iconic hits such as “Jungle Boogie,” “Hollywood Swinging,” “Celebration,” “Get Down on It,” and “Joanna” created a unique and immensely popular pop-funk sound during the 1970s and ’80s.
These timeless songs have not only been featured in films like “Pulp Fiction” and “Rocky,” but have also been sampled by numerous artists, including DJ Kool, Mase, Too Short, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, Boogie Down Productions, Brand Nubian, De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, N.W.A., Kris Kross, and Jermaine Dupri.
Growing up in Jersey City, N.J., Brown’s passion for drumming began at a young age, where he would experiment by banging on objects with butter knives. As he matured, he drew inspiration from legendary jazz drummers such as Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, and Jack DeJohnette.
It was during this time that he crossed paths with Ricky West, who would later become the keyboardist for Kool & The Gang. West introduced Brown to Ronald Bell, the band’s future saxophonist and musical director, as well as Robert Mickens, the future trumpeter. Together, they formed a jazz band and performed in clubs six nights a week while still attending high school.
In 1964, Bell, Ronald Bell, Mickens, saxophonist Dennis “D.T.” Thomas, West, Brown, and guitarist Charles Smith joined forces to create an instrumental jazz and soul group called the Jazziacs.
After honing their skills and gaining experience by playing in various clubs in New York City, including serving as a backup band for Motown covers, they officially became Kool & the Gang in 1969. Since then, they have explored various genres, such as jazz, soul, funk, rock, and pop. However, it was their 1973 album “Wild and Peaceful” that propelled them to commercial success with chart-topping hits like “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging.”
Kool and the Gang: Who are they?
Kool & the Gang, a band that originated in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1964, is known for its R&B, soul, and funk music. The group’s founding members were Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, George Brown, Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow, and Ricky West. Over the years, the band has experimented with various musical genres, including jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, funk, disco, rock, and pop music. After several name changes, the band settled on “Kool and the Gang” and signed with De-Lite Records, releasing their debut album in 1969.
The band’s breakthrough came with the release of their fourth album, Wild and Peaceful, in 1973. The album featured two US top-ten singles, “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging”. Although the band experienced a period of decline, they reached a second commercial peak between 1979 and 1986, thanks to their collaboration with Brazilian musician and producer Eumir Deodato and the addition of singer James “J.T.” Taylor to the line-up. During this period, the band released successful albums such as Ladies’ Night, Celebrate!, and Emergency, with the latter being their highest selling album, selling two million copies in the US. The band’s hit singles during this period included “Ladies’ Night”, “Celebration”, “Get Down on It”, “Joanna”, “Misled”, and “Cherish”. The band continues to perform worldwide, including as support for Van Halen in 2012 and their fiftieth-anniversary tour in 2014.
George Brown death: How did he die?
George Brown, also known as “Funky,” passed away in Los Angeles yesterday after a courageous battle with lung cancer.
As stated in an official biography by the Songwriters Hall of Fame, George, originally from Jersey City, New Jersey, developed a deep love for jazz drummers such as Elvin Jones, Art Blakey, and Jack DeJohnette.
It was through his neighbour, Ricky West, who would later become the keyboardist for Kool & The Gang, that George was introduced to Ronald Bell, the band’s future saxophonist and musical director, as well as Robert Mickens, the future trumpeter. Even while still in high school during the mid-1960s, they were already performing at jazz clubs. His obituary has been shared on social media, confirming his sad passing.
What is George Brown net worth?
As of 2023, Kool & The Gang’s members possess a combined net worth of $40 million, solidifying their position as one of the most accomplished groups in the industry. Consequently, Brown’s individual worth could range from $38 million to $40 million.
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