Charles Smith, the lead guitarist and co-founder of R&B group Kool and the Gang, has died at 57 after a prolonged illness. Claydes "Charles" Smith (born Claydes Eugene Smith; [1] September 6, 1948 – June 20, 2006) was an American musician best known as co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang. Biography.
Kool & The Gang was originally the Jazziacs, a jazz band formed in New Jersey in 1964. Claydes Charles Smith (September 6, 1948 – June 20, 2006) was an American musician best known as co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang. Biography. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was introduced to jazz guitar by his father in the early 1960s. In the late 1960s, he joined with Ronald Bell (later Khalis Bayyan), Robert.
His proficiency in saxophone, piano, and vocals, coupled with a passion for jazz and improvised music, has allowed him to create a unique niche for himself. In 1979, Smith changed his first name to Charles. Smith shone on the million-selling albums Ladies’ Night and Celebrate! as well as on Something Special, As One and In the Heart which made the charts in the first half of the Eighties. JT Taylor left in 1987 but returned in 1995 to help the Gang complete State of Affairs, their 22nd album.
Dennis "Dee Tee" Thomas - Wikipedia
Claydes "Charles" Smith (born Claydes Eugene Smith; [1] September 6, – June 20, ) was an American musician best known as co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang.
Love & Understanding - Wikipedia
Claydes Charles Smith (September 6, – June 20, ) was an American musician best known as co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang. Biography. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey, he was introduced to jazz guitar by his father in the early s. KOOL & THE GANG BIOGRAPHY - secure.ummsfoundation.org
In , Kool and Ronald joined neighborhood friends Spike Mickens, Dennis Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a distinctive musical blend of jazz, soul, and funk. At first calling themselves “The Jazziacs”, the band went through various name changes—the New Dimensions, the Soul Town Band, and Kool & the.
Robert Kool Bell is the co-founder, leader and master bassist for the legendary Pop/R&B group Kool & the Gang, the seven-time Grammy award-winners. Kool and his family emigrated to Jersey City, NJ in the early 1960s with siblings Ronald/Khalis, Rory/Wahid, Kevin/Amir. In 1964, Kool and Ronald joined neighborhood friends Spike Mickens, Dennis Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a distinctive musical blend of jazz, soul, and funk.
Founding Lead Guitarist for Kool and the Gang Charles Smith ...
June 20, – Claydes “Charles” Smith (Kool & the Gang) was born on September 6, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was introduced to jazz guitar by his father at age 13, when in , his father bought him a Kay Electric guitar at a pawnshop for $ Fresh (Kool & the Gang song) - Wikipedia
In , Khalis Byyan (AKA Ronald Bell) and his brother, Robert “Kool” Bell, joined Jersey City neighborhood friends Robert “Spike” Mickens, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Ricky Westfield, George Brown, and Charles Smith to create a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk. Claydes Charles Smith - Wikipedia
Claydes Charles Smith, 57, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, died Tuesday in Maplewood, N.J., after a long illness, publicist David Brokaw said. Claydes Charles Smith, 57; Co-Founder of ‘70s Group Kool ... Claydes Charles Smith, 57, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, died Tuesday in Maplewood, N.J., after a long illness, publicist David Brokaw said.Wild and Peaceful (Kool & the Gang album) - Wikipedia Brown, and Charles Smith to create a unique musical blend of jazz, soul and funk. At first calling themselves the Jazziacs, the band went through various names – The New Dimensions, The Soul Town Band, Kool & the Flames – before settling on their moniker. Their self-titled 1969 debut album.Claydes Charles Smith - WBSS Media Claydes Charles Smith, a co-founder and lead guitarist of the group Kool & the Gang, died June 18 in Maplewood, N.J., after a long illness. He was 57. KOOL & THE GANG BIOGRAPHY - UMMS Foundation
LOS ANGELES, June 22 (AP) — Claydes Charles Smith, a founder and the lead guitarist of the group Kool and the Gang, died on Tuesday in Maplewood, N.J. He was He died after a long illness.