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George ‘Funky’ Brown (born in January 1949 – died 16 November 2023, Aged: 74 years old) was an American musician, actor, and composer, best known for being the drummer and co-founder of the legendary funk band Kool & the Gang.

He was also a prolific songwriter, who co-wrote many of the group’s biggest hits, such as “Celebration”, “Ladies Night”, “Jungle Boogie”, and “Get Down On It”. He passed away on November 16, 2023, at the age of 74, after a long battle with lung cancer.

Early Life and Career

George Melvin Brown was born in January 1949 in Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. He began playing music at an early age, influenced by his father, who was a jazz musician. He studied music at the Juilliard School of Music in New York City, where he met his future bandmates.

In 1964, he joined his brother Robert “Kool” Bell, Ronald Bell, Dennis “Dee Tee” Thomas, Robert “Spike” Mickens, Charles Smith, Woodrow “Woody” Sparrow, and Ricky Westfield to form a jazz and soul group called The Jazziacs. They later changed their name to The Soul Town Band, The New Dimensions, Kool & the Flames, and finally Kool & the Gang in 1969.

The band signed to De-Lite Records and released their self-titled debut album in 1969, which introduced their signature instrumental sound and fierce horn arrangements. The album spawned their first Billboard R&B charted single, “Kool & the Gang”. Brown was the main drummer of the band, as well as one of the main songwriters, along with Ronald Bell and Kool.

George ‘Funky’ Brown Wiki/Bio

Success and Fame

The band’s breakthrough came with their fourth album, Wild and Peaceful, in 1973, which contained the US top-ten singles “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging”. The album was a success and established Kool & the Gang as one of the leading funk and soul acts of the 1970s. The band followed up with more hit albums and singles, such as Light of Worlds (1974), Spirit of the Boogie (1975), Open Sesame (1976), and The Force (1977).

In 1979, the band underwent a major change in their musical direction and personnel, when they added singer James “J.T.” Taylor to the line-up and collaborated with Brazilian musician and producer Eumir Deodato. The result was a more pop-oriented and commercial sound, which appealed to a wider audience and brought them more mainstream success. Their first album with Taylor and Deodato, Ladies’ Night, was a smash hit, and featured the title track, “Too Hot”, and “Hangin’ Out”.

The band reached its peak of popularity in the early 1980s, with albums such as Celebrate! (1980), Something Special (1981), As One (1982), In the Heart (1983), and Emergency (1984). These albums produced some of the band’s most iconic songs, such as “Celebration”, the US No. 1 and Grammy-winning anthem, “Get Down On It”, “Joanna”, “Misled”, “Fresh”, and “Cherish”. The band also appeared in films such as The Wiz (1978) and Rocky (1976), and performed at the Live Aid concert in 1985.

Spouse & Kids

George ‘Funky’ Brown was married to Hanh Brown, a Vietnamese-American woman who met him in 1980 when she was working as a waitress at a restaurant in New York City. They fell in love and got married in 1982, and had five children together: George Jr., Kevin, Kimberly, Kristina, and Kaitlyn.

Hanh Brown was a supportive and devoted wife, who helped her husband with his music career and his health issues. She also became a successful businesswoman, who owned and operated several nail salons and spas in Las Vegas, Nevada, where the family moved in 2004. Hanh Brown was by her husband’s side when he passed away on November 16, 2023, after a long battle with lung cancer.

George ‘Funky’ Brown’s children inherited his musical talent and passion. George Jr., also known as GMB, is a rapper and producer, who has collaborated with artists such as Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, and DJ Quik. Kevin, also known as Kevon, is a singer and songwriter, who has performed with Kool & the Gang and other groups.

Kimberly, also known as Kimmy, is a singer and actress, who has appeared in films such as The Preacher’s Wife and The Wood. Kristina, also known as Krissy, is a singer and dancer, who has toured with artists such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and Usher. Kaitlyn, also known as Kady, is a singer and model, who has released several singles and appeared in magazines such as Vogue and Elle.

Fame With Kool & the Gang

Kool & the Gang achieved their first commercial breakthrough with their fourth album, Wild and Peaceful, in 1973, which contained the US top-ten singles “Jungle Boogie” and “Hollywood Swinging”. The album showcased their blend of funk, soul, and jazz, and established them as one of the leading acts of the genre. Brown was the main composer of “Jungle Boogie”, which became one of their most sampled and recognizable songs.

The band continued to release successful albums throughout the 1970s, such as Light of Worlds, Spirit of the Boogie, Love & Understanding, and Open Sesame. They also experimented with different musical styles, such as disco, rock, and pop. Brown was involved in writing and producing most of the songs, as well as playing drums, percussion, keyboards, and vocals.

In 1979, Kool & the Gang underwent a major change in their sound and image, with the addition of singer James “J.T.” Taylor and the collaboration with Brazilian producer Eumir Deodato. They adopted a more mainstream and polished approach, which resulted in a series of hit albums and singles, such as Ladies’ Night, Celebrate!, Emergency, “Ladies Night”, “Celebration”, “Get Down On It”, “Joanna”, “Misled”, and “Cherish”. Brown co-wrote many of these songs, which showcased his versatility and creativity as a songwriter. He also contributed to the vocal harmonies and arrangements of the band.

Kool & the Gang reached the peak of their popularity and success in the early 1980s, selling millions of records, winning numerous awards, and performing around the world. They also appeared in movies and TV shows, such as The Wiz, The Color Purple, The Cosby Show, and A Different World. Brown also pursued a solo career, releasing his debut album, Funky Brown, in 1985, which featured the hit single “Funky Brown”.

Later Years and Death

In 1988, Taylor left the band to pursue a solo career, and the band’s popularity declined. The band continued to record and tour with various singers, such as Sennie “Skip” Martin, Odeen Mays, Gary Brown, and Walt Anderson. They also faced several personal and professional challenges, such as the deaths of Smith in 2006 and Mickens in 2010, and legal disputes with Taylor and Deodato over royalties and songwriting credits.

In 2014, the band celebrated its 50th anniversary with a world tour and a compilation album, The Very Best of Kool & the Gang. They also received numerous awards and honors, such as two Grammy Awards, seven American Music Awards, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and induction into the New Jersey Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

In 2021, Brown retired from the band, revealing that he had stage 4 lung cancer. He died on November 16, 2023, at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Hanh Brown, and his five children. His death was mourned by his fans, friends, and fellow musicians, who paid tribute to his legacy and influence.

Trivia

• He co-wrote the song “Have You Ever Been Lonely?” under the alias of George “Funky” Brown, as well as “That’s When Your Heartaches Begin”, which was made popular by both The Ink Spots and Elvis Presley.
• He appeared in films such as The Wiz (1978) and The Color Purple (1985), and television shows such as The Cosby Show and A Different World.
• He was a vegetarian and a Buddhist and practiced meditation and yoga.
• He was an avid golfer and a fan of the New York Yankees and the New York Giants.
• He was a philanthropist and supported various causes, such as education, health, and the environment.

Photos Source: Facebook

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